Empire Sports Club, which is currently celebrating its centenary, has been lauded for playing a magnificent role in the social revolution of Barbados.
That praise came from long-serving member Rawle Brancker as he spoke on the topic The Early Years Of Empire at the club’s awards ceremony and cocktail reception at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Saturday night.
Outlining that Empire was established as a result of Herman Griffith being “blackballed” three times when he tried to join Spartan because he was not from the “right profession or social class”, Brancker said, “Empire was the first to admit players from the artisan class where the criteria was talent rather than social status.”
Speaking before a large group of current and former cricketers, footballers and hockey players from Empire, Brancker added: “Although we might not want to admit it, we are still grappling in Barbados with race, colour and rank issues.
“The history of the Empire Club is the history of Herman Griffith who was blackballed by his own kind for the third time. Even after a number of Spartan members left to help Herman Griffith to set up the Empire Club, they found difficulties in being admitted to play Division One cricket, as both Spartan and Pickwick would vote against Empire’s admission.
“They said the ground at Bank Hall was not ready and the next year when the ground was improved they said that it was too small. One hundred years later the ground at Bank Hall is still the same size,” Brancker said to loud laughter.
The former spin bowler, who toured England with the West Indies in 1966, said that in 1916 a meeting was held at Harrison College and a teacher used his casting vote to admit Empire.
In 1924 when Empire looked likely to win the Division One title, he said the last match between Spartan and Pickwick saw a number of “funny” declarations leading to Spartan taking the match and the championship.
Brancker said that Empire’s establishment saw families building houses and setting up communities around the ground. “The dedication of those families and supporters along with our past founders and leaders are owed a great debt of gratitude.
“That foundation along with the commitment, drive and support of the present membership make Empire Club’s secure,” said Brancker.
Earlier, club president Adrian King officially declared Sir Everton Weekes patron of Empire’s centenary celebrations and he presented the legendary cricketer with a centenary award.
Long-serving member awards were also presented to Charlie Griffith, Tony King, Brancker and Seymour Nurse.
Hockey stalwarts, Andrea Nicholls, Julie Grant and Mike Owens, posthumously, were recognised. The deceased father and son, Charles and Stephen Alleyne, were also acknowledged for the contribution which they made to Empire.
Sponsors ICBL, Sagicor, United and the Barbados Lumber Company were all thanked on a night when high class entertainment from songbird Nikita Browne along with the multi-talented MC Antoine Williams who “did it” and then sang it his way, were only matched by the sartorial splendour of the attendees as well as a fine spread of food and drinks which were served afterwards.
