With March just a couple of days away, the Department of Sports is gearing up to highlight and focus on women in sports for Honouring Women’s Month.

The Department, along with several organisations, will be hosting several events to promote women in sports. In addition, the department has pre-selected a number of sporting pioneers to honour and celebrate during the month.

They are Angela Sealey (bodybuilder), Evelyn Rockett (Cayman’s first physical education teacher, athlete and administrator), Lucille Seymour first woman Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Sports), Cherry Whittaker (instrumental in starting the first CIFA sanction Women’s Football League), Edna Moyle (First woman Minster of Sports), Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Deputy Premier and Minster of District Administration, Works, Lands and Agriculture (first dedicated physical education teacher in Cayman Brac).

“We in the Department believe that Honouring Women’s Month is important because it lends us even more of an opportunity to highlight the achievements of girls and women in sports, not only as elite athletes but also as administrators, managers, coaches and officials. It also provides an opportunity to recall the historic achievements of these women and girls, which are often forgotten or never mentioned,” said Ms. Merta Day, Women’s Coordinator in the Department of Sports.

“Additionally, statistics proves that a high percentage of girls and women who are involved in sports generally do better in life and end up having a more positive impact on our society as they very often give back to their communities,” she added.

Honouring Women’s Month kicks off on Sunday, 11 March with a Women’s Cricket Showcase, featuring West Indies superstar Stafanie Taylor, who is the world’s number one all-rounder and world’s number two batswoman. It will also feature the two West Indies Super Stars; World # 1 all-rounder Stafanie Taylor who along with upcoming Shanel Daley will play with the rest against a Cayman Select Team.

She Ms Day added: “We in the DoS are pleased to be in a position to promote and co-sponsor these events for Honouring Women’s Month, all with the aim of educating, empowering and increasing the participation of girls and women in sports. We encourage the community to continue get involved in any way they can.”

Another event will be the Girls Football Showcase; a 9-a-side Tournament featuring eight teams. There will be four teams in the 11-and-under age group and four in the 14-and-under. The event will be held at the Annex field from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, 17 March and will be followed by CIFA’s first-round Women’s FA Cup match, starting at 7:00 p.m.

“If we cast our minds back two years ago, we would remember how proud our girl’s football team made us when they made history! As such, it’s only fitting that we consistently give girls the opportunity to play and showcase their talents, whilst honing their skills. More local playing time in the form of organised local leagues starting from the primary schools age group is what our girls need to keep improving and get better,” Ms. Day said.

The Department of Sports Honouring Women’s Month wraps up with a Netball Skills Workshop at the East End Primary School netball court Monday, 26 March starting at 6:30 p.m.
She added: “We are pleased to be in a position to promote and co-sponsor these events for Honouring Women’s Month, all with the aim of educating, empowering and increasing the participation of girls and women in sports. We encourage the community to continue get involved in any way they can.”

For more information on any of the events, please call the Department of Sports on 949-7082 or email [email protected]