The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOR the second consecutive two-year term, Godfrey ‘Gully’ Burnside will serve as president of the New Providence Softball Association.

During the NPSA’s annual general meeting and election of officers at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture on Wednesday night, Burnside was re-elected unopposed on an executive board that features a number of familiar faces.

Joining Burnside as the first vice president is Arthur Johnson, the second vice president is Vernie Curry, the third vice president is Andy Percentie, the fourth vice is Anthony Bullard and the fifth vice president is Cyril Smith. Renee ‘Sunshine’ Davis is the secretary, Jeffery Henfield is the treasurer and Wayne ‘Eric Pappi’ Johnson is the assistant treasurer.

The post of assistant secretary remained open as there was no one interested during the elections.

Burnside said hopefully by the time they hold their first executive meeting, they will be able to fill the spot, along with selecting the directors to assist the elected officers.

Arthur Johnson, who previously served as the director of communications, has replaced Marvin ‘Tougie’ Wood, the previously elected first vice president, while Smith has moved up from being a director to replace Ken Wood.

All of the other officers served the past in their respective capacities. “I can work with anybody,” said Burnside about the newly elected team. “I have a vision that I will share with them next week when we hold our first executive meeting as we try to grow and develop the NPSA over the next 2-5 years.”

In the meantime, Burnside said there are some amendments that they have to make to their constitution and that is what they will focus on as a priority when they begin their deliberation.

One of the other things we would like to do is form an NPSA under-19 junior team, which we hope will get to do some travel throughout the Family Islands, so we can assist those islands in developing softball, especially the ladies’ division.

Also, Burnside said they are looking at the possibility of upgrading the playing field, either before or at the end of the stadium. That project, he said, may take some time because of the resources that will be required.

“As you know, we have embarked on presenting championship rings to the champions from last year, so that has taken a lot out of our kitty,” Burnside said. “So we will present championship rings on the opening night to the Hitmen and the Sigma Brackettes.”

The league is tentatively set to start on Friday, May 9. During that time, Burnside said the NPSA intends to honour some of its past presidents and a number of persons who made sacrifices and their contributions to softball over the years.

Games will be played every Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday nights.