Scott: Young athletes are a ray of hope

We are here today to celebrate the accomplishments of our junior athletes and to encourage their development as they pursue their athletic and personal goals and aspirations.

Our junior athletes continue to excel in the sporting arena as was clearly evident in the recently concluded Carifta Games in the Bahamas (Track & Field) and Jamaica (Swimming) and also the recent Open Cup Tournament success of our under 16 and under 14 boys (Football).  These impressive achievements have set the standards for the rest of the year.  As Bermuda’s youth will be involved in a plethora of sporting events this year I encourage all of Bermuda to support, our young people as they proudly represent us.

Today, I am honoured and humbled to be standing before this group of outstanding young athletes who serve as a beacon, a ray of hope for the entire community.  I know that the road you have chosen to travel can and will be difficult and filled with pitfalls at times, but I encourage you to be steadfast and know that I along with all of Bermuda are proud of you.  Your peers may not say it, but they too are proud of you and want to see you succeed.

The National Junior Sponsorship Awards Programme is in its twentieth year and has awarded more than $800,000 towards the development of approximately 138 young athletes.  The 12 recipients this year will join an illustrious group of recipients.  Many of our recipients have excelled in their chosen sport and have made us proud with their successes, both on and off the field.

Ms. Kiera Aitken, our guest speaker, an Olympian, former Athlete of the Year, was also a recipient of this awards programme.  I am sure that her insightful remarks will be an inspiration to us all.

The primary purpose of the National Junior Athlete Sponsorship Awards Programme is to provide encouragement and incentives to Bermudian junior athletes who clearly show commitment, promise and achievement in their sport.

Thank you to the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation for running this event for twenty years.

Thank you to the athletes, their parents, coaches, National Sports Governing Bodies, clubs and the community.  I know that in the not too distant future, we will see all of you competing in the international arena.

Thank you.