AT ONE POINT Kirk Edwards’ hands were so full he had to put down his awards.
Surprising for a man who made his career holding on to every break he has got.
He kept his customary stern demeanour but Bajan eyes were definitely smiling on the country’s newest sporting star as Edwards fittingly took the major awards, including the prestigious 2011 Sports Personality, during Saturday night’s National Sports Awards Ceremony at the Frank Collymore Hall.
It was the crowning achievement for the once overlooked Edwards, who spectacularly burst on to the Test scene.
His debut season featured two centuries – the first coming on debut – three half-centuries and 595 runs at an average of 54 batting at No. 3 for the West Indies.
But Edwards was more than promoted up the order, serving as the event’s No. 1 after receiving two hand-crafted wooden ornaments, a dazzling crystal vase and a cheque for an undisclosed sum of money for winning the Sports Personality and the Senior Outstanding Male Sportsperson awards.
“It’s a great feeling to be recognized for my achievements [because] I’ve been working really hard over the last couple of years and last year things worked really well for me,” he told NATIONSPORT.
“But I wouldn’t really say I was surprised because [winning the award] was never in my thoughts but when I heard about it, I said I did well enough to win this award.
“I was always around but I guess it was just a lack of exposure and over the last couple of years my achievements have been downplayed, but whatever the case may be I will continue to represent to the best of my abilities.”
Shakera Reece couldn’t do likewise, though, with her overseas-based training preventing the athlete from representing her achievements that duly copped the Senior Outstanding Female Sportsperson and the Minister’s Award.
They came in recognition of Reece’s bronze medal performance at last October’s Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, where the fast-rising sprinter sped to a national record of 11.26 seconds in the 100 metres.
And she wasn’t the only athlete being rewarded for their breakthrough performance. Unknown no more, Kion Joseph was recognised as the Emerging Athlete of the Year for winning bronze medals in the 400 hurdles at both the Pan American Junior Championships and the Commonwealth Youth Games.
But while he might’ve been able to shine among some of the best in his age group, Joseph couldn’t best teenage talent Diquan Adamson for the Junior Outstanding Male Sportsperson award.
Adamson was honoured for his rich goal-scoring efforts in the Under-17 Football World Cup qualifying campaign.
Surfer Chelsea Tuach took the female equivalent for the second time in three years following credible showings at international events, while cricket coach Roddy Estwick copped the Coach Of The Year prize.
Swimming got its fair share of silverware after Sariyah Sherry and Damon St Prix took home Youth Awards, the CARIFTA squad won a Team Award, and Barbados Amateur Swimming Association (BASA) president Sonia O’Neal received the Alvin Burgess Award and the Associations For Achievement prizes on behalf of the BASA.
International Olympics Committee (IOC) member Austin Sealy delivered the featured speech under the theme Creating a Passion for Sports, while Minister of Sports Stephen Lashley also addressed the audience.
HONOUR ROLL
Community Awards – Hamilton Lashley, Roland Robinson, Terry Sealy
Media Award – Harrington Layne (CBC)
School Awards – Combermere, Bayley’s
Club Awards – Alpha Sharks Swim Club (swimming), Maxwell Sports Club (cricket), Isolation Cavaliers (cricket), Chargers Volleyball Club (volleyball)
Special Awards – John Skinner (cycling), John Jones (basketball, athletics), Barry Wilkinson (media), Bill Tempro, Jackie Hoad (sailing)
Groundsman Of The Year – Patrick Trotman
Family Award – The Browne Family (netball)
Senior Awards – Jennifer Swanston-Jones, Ainsley Lovell (athletics)
Team Awards – Under-17 men’s national football team, CARIFTA swimming team, Special Olympics team, Weightlifting team
Coach Of The Year – Roddy Estwick (cricket)
Youth Awards – Yu Tien Poon (chess), Sariyah Sherry, Damon St Prix (swimming)
Officials Gaining International Recognition
Marguerita Felix (table tennis), Gregory Brathwaite (cricket), Errol Clarke (swimming)
The Alvin Burgess Award (sports administrator)
Sonia O’Neal (swimming), Kevin Wood (badminton)
Sponsors Award – LIME, Powerade
Associations for Achievement
Barbados Amateur Swimming Association, Barbados Badminton Association
Junior Outstanding Female Sportsperson
Chelsea Tuach (surfing)
Junior Outstanding Male Sportsperson
Diquan Adamson (football)
Senior Outstanding Female Sportsperson
Shakera Reece (athletics)
Senior Outstanding Male Sportsperson
Kirk Edwards (cricket)
Emerging Athlete – Kion Joseph
Minister’s Award – Shakera Reece (athletics)
National Sports Personality – Kirk Edwards (cricket)
