By ALESHA CADET
Tribune Features Reporter
acadet@tribunemedia.net
IT’s been a year and a half since Rosamunde Carey made history by becoming the first woman to head the local governing body of athletics in the Bahamas.
Today, she not only sits in the main seat of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), but is also responsible for one the country’s biggest sporting events – the IAAF World Relays.
So far, the experience of holding both of these very important positions has been exhilarating and humbling, she told Tribune Woman.
“When we were campaigning, we weren’t focused on the gender, but on the capabilities of holding office and transforming the federation. I do believe that some took me for granted as a female. The challenge has been proving that a woman, though none has held this position before, is proficient, dedicated and capable of loving the sport,” said Mrs Carey.
The Abaco native first became interested in track and field in 1993 when her sons joined the Strider Track Club. She loved the spirit of camaraderie at the club and became involved in its events.
“It was Doris Woods who ask me to help them administratively in the BAAA’s office. I became a Council Member in 2000 and treasurer under Desmond Bannister’s administration in 2002. I held that position until 2009. What I like is the diverse talents that so many athletes possess. The positive traits that they develop due to their training – traits like disciple, dedication, perseverance and a strong belief in oneself and abilities,” she said.
Now, Mrs Carey turns her attention to the highly anticipated IAAF World Relays 2017, of which she is the CEO.
She said she is proud of the women who have paved the way for her and who made her holding this position possible.
Mrs Carey pointed out that while she is the first female president of the BAAA in its over six-decade history, women have long since played pivotal roles in track and field in this country.
One such example is “Golden Girl” Pauline Davis-Thompson, who was not only instrumental in bringing the IAAF World Relays to the Bahamas, but is also the first Bahamian woman to be elected as a IAAF Council member.
Mrs Carey said the Olympian’s influence has ensured a successful transition for her into the role of CEO of the IAAF World Relays.
The two have an excellent working relationship and have bonded over their love for the sport and their role as women carrying the tremendous responsibility of representing their country.
“She and I are co-chairs of the IAAF event. Pauline keeps me current on the relevant IAAF issues as they relate to the IAAF World Relays. She has been a guiding figure in the strategic planning of the IAAF. Moreover, one of our biggest and most powerful federations was headed by a female for eight years. I hope that as a federation we support the females in our country that love athletics by having more females in the position of president in years to come,” said Mrs Carey.
As the CEO of the IAAF World Relays, she is responsible for the management of the local organising committee, the oversight of all divisions of the organising committee and has direct responsibility to ensure that the event proceeds smoothly and that the IAAF requirements are met.
The positions of president of the BAAA and CEO of the World Relays, she said, call for the same skill set: keeping her agenda up to date, maintaining a level head and sense of fairness, and of course, a love for the sport.
“There are instances where my positions overlap, but I ensure that the BAAA’s interest as a tripartite partner in the event is protected,” she said.
“My advice to the young girls that are coming up in track in field is to always keep your eye on the prize. There will be days when you doubt yourself and your ability to accomplish your goals. Don’t allow those days to determine if you achieve your goals or not. Don’t stop because you’re uncertain, or because it’s never been done by a woman before. I want young girls to know that their time is always that moment they decide they’re going to give their best despite the odds. I encourage young girls in sports to firmly set their goal in front of them, and continue to relentlessly pursue that goal no matter what,” she said.
Mrs Carey believes her winning the presidency of the BAAA is also a testament that the focus is not always on gender, but on the individual and his or her abilities.
This was borne out by the fact that gold medallist Tonique Williams was elected as the first female BAAA vice-president in the same year.
“Initially, it was said that a male-dominated sport like track would not want to have two females at the helm, but we proved that to be false. Women have always played a pivotal role in track and field. However, we would like to see more women moving higher in the technical field. For instance, we only have one female international technical officer (ITO) in the Bahamas. We need to empower more females in that area. Additionally, we would like to see more women with higher coaching credentials,” said Mrs Carey.
As a mother of five – and now grandmother of six grandchildren – Mrs Carey has never let her gender limit her.
She has worked in various capacities of hotel management and in the insurance industry. She is presently the CEO of Health Care Management and senior consultant at the National Workers Health Plan Network.
She is a Christian woman who is passionate about sports, baking, travelling, but her family owns her heart.
“I’m a dedicated wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend. I am a Bahamian woman who loves her country. My father, Peter Campbell Sr, is and always will be the biggest influence in my life. He worked extremely hard to provide for his family. He was revolutionary and a visionary in his thinking. He ensured all of his children were well-educated because he believed in education as a tool of empowerment. My father was the type of man that always had a listening ear, and as I grew, my relationship with him developed. He was a valued friend and confidante,” she said.
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