The Tribune

Members of the women’s national softball team of the late 70s and 80s were recognised yesterday during the House of Assembly session. The women were invited by Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture Dr Daniel Johnson as a part of events to honour International Women’s Day.

House Speaker Kendal Major asked the group to stand as House members applauded their stellar performance in the 1977 Caribbean Amateur Softball Tournament (CAST) and bronze at the 1981 World Games.

Cynthia “Mother” Pratt sat in the gallery along with her former teammates - Auria Wood-Knowles, Linda Ford, Caroline Ferguson, Rhonda Colton, Sandra Wells, Candy DeGregory, Alice Wells, Barbara Knowles, Kay Moxey, Florence “Flo” Rolle, Earnestine Stubbs, Naomi Ellis, Cheryl Turnquest and Churchill Tenor Knowles, who served as president of the Bahamas Softball Federation.

Other team members included Debbie Forbes, Denise Reckley, Daisy, Jan Poitier, Nancy Russell, Carolyn Ferguson, Sybilline Knowles and Audrey Sears. Cyprianna McKinney is deceased.

Other coaches included Bobby Fernander, manager, Godfrey Pinder, Alfred Culmer and Charlie Mortimer who is deceased.

“Mother” Pratt said the honours are befitting for the women who sacrificed for country and she thanked Churchill Tenor Knowles for sponsoring many of the players who could not find sponsorship. She thanked the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture for honouring her teammates, whom she noted have all gone on to be productive Bahamian citizens who are still willing and ready to contribute to national development.