The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH they are relatively new in the Bahamas Flag Football League, the Avengers Flag Football Club are not just trying to display their talent on the field, but off as well.

Still looking for their first taste of victory on the field, the Avengers men and women have banded together in a community outreach as they have forged a relationship with the Bilney Lane Children’s Home.

On February 1, the club held a walk-a-thon with part proceeds going to the Bilney Lane Home. On Saturday, March 22, they presented the home with a $500 gift certificate to d’albenas. Additionally, their sponsor, Fast Track Services, matched the donation with another $500, while Essential Services, their main sponsor, also provided a cash donation.

“This is just our way of giving back to the community,” said Asheena Nixon, the team manager.

“We want to be more than just a football team or a football club. We want to give our services back to the community and one of the ways was working with the children’s home, going there and helping out with anything that needs to be done.”

On Saturday, the Avengers will treat the children at the home to the movies at RND Cinemas and lunch as they continue to work with them.

“It was humbling for a lot of the players,” Nixon said. “This was the first time that a lot of the members of the club did anything like this and in their words, it was a humbling experience to see how the kids live and to know that they actually only live on donations from the community. What the community don’t give, they don’t have. And we take so much for granted.

“I think this whole experience has brought us together as a family. Both the female and men’s teams, we come together to have different events and to socialise within the community. This has brought us together as a team, more than just going on the field and playing football. We come together as a family to do something for the less fortunate in the community.”

While the men’s team, headed by Robin Shepherd, is returning for their second year in the league, the ladies’ team, headed by Nixon, are just making their debut. Since the league has started, the team has played two games, but have not been successful in winning yet. They will both be playing the Predators on Sunday at the Winton Rugby Pitch.

“This is our first time out as a ladies’ team. All of the ladies have never played football and each week we see great improvements, so we’re looking forward to getting even better as the season progresses,” Nixon said. “So we are getting there, both men and women.”