By FRED STURRUP, NG Associate Editor, frederick@nasguard.com, frobertsturrup@gmail.com

It's been less than two years since LaLisa Anthony has been leading the Bahamas Youth Football (American Football) in Grand Bahama. I told her recently when we chatted, that it seems she has been here for a much longer period. Her significant presence is understood however. She has been a tremendous inspiration for sports leadership in this country and has orchestrated a positive development process for young boys and girls on Grand Bahama, involved in the program there.

There are those no doubt who have no real appreciation for what this American lady has done for sports in Grand Bahama and how important she is to the further development of American football throughout the country. I know that her strong personality and her solid resume, grounded in the National Football League (NFL), make some feel insecure and upstaged. Those who have the courageous, knowledge and contacts to make a difference are often envied by others, to the point of great distraction and the detriment of programs.

I encouraged Anthony to hold strong and push on. Those who work with her in the GB environment, like Stanford Duhaney and David Adderley, should continue to give her the fullest support as together they engineer a revolutionary sports culture, not only in Grand Bahama but in the entire Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

It is good also that Lawrence Hepburn, the central figure of the Commonwealth American Football League's Steering Committee, has bought into the vision of Anthony and has demonstrated his willingness to work with her to propel the sport, particularly among the Bahamian youth. I feel obligated to highlight the comprehensive leadership styles of young sports administrators like Hepburn. His ability to read situations and respond to those that are positive in the interest of sports in general, but the young of the land in particular, is gratifying.

Although there will always be those sports leaders who are mired in their personal agendas, it is always good to know that there is that cadre of Bahamian sports mentors inclusive of Hepburn who seek only to foster good programs for those from among whom will come the future leaders of this country.

There was Hepburn in Porgy Bay, Bimini on the playing field next to the Government Clinic, working with Anthony and company this past weekend, showing youngsters from the area some basic football techniques. It's not all about Anthony or Hepburn. The key is to have that continuity of programs which provide, as Bimini Chief Councilor Tasha Bullard-Rolle advocates, "positive outlets for the young."

Anthony has taken the football program beyond Grand Bahama, expanding in the north to Abaco, and Bimini. This is a most ambitious initiative that calls for much sacrifice, funding and the ability to absorb all the assistance she can get, and to ignore the negative attitudes of those who don't quite get yet, just what she is doing.

But ultimately, the scores of Abaco kids who responded to a recent clinic and the enthusiasm of the young Biminites last weekend will be the collective factor which will cause American football in this country to grow in leaps in bound through the proactive participation of LaLisa Anthony. In Bimini, it was heart-warming to see youngsters like Nicholas Cash, Richard Stubbs and Cory Rolle soaking up what was said and shown to them by the Anthony team.

The appreciation of the young is the greatest of compliments for leaders. It goes a long way toward putting a damper on the frustrations that come along with leadership.

The dynamic spirit of Anthony bodes very well for country's youth football program. The Ministry of Youth and Sports should take note of what is being done by this lady against great odds. She doesn't have to be here. Many cities in the United States would love to have her expertise spearheading programs for their young players. She would perhaps get more support financially and otherwise from the NFL, but no, she prefers to help write a few positive chapters of our sports history.

I had a talk just this past Saturday with the Hon. Byran Woodside, the Minister of State for Youth and Sports in the country, and programs that focus on the youth excite him. Youth development of course is his background. That's why he is such a good fit for the position Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has asked him to function in.

He would do well to hold hands with Anthony and the rest of the sports leaders in Grand Bahama, Abaco, Bimini and throughout the nation who want to drive the American football program. The dividends will be many for the youngsters, through a multitude of scholarships and interaction with world peers in international events. American football, the sport which was once considered exactly as it is named, just for Americans, is growing. The time is not too far off when it will come close to its cousin, soccer, in world popularity.

There are some tournaments coming up that Anthony wants The Bahamas to be represented at. It would be a joy for our 16-19 players.

Yes, the future in the sport looks great here in The Bahamas.

Continue the good work LaLisa!

Soccer Raffle

The Bahamas Football Association's (BFA) grand raffle drawing will take place this Saturday. There are two major prizes in the BFA raffle. First will be a 2008 Mercedes Benz C180 and the second prize winner will receive two tickets to the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa. All of the proceeds will go to the BFA Youth Development Program. Tickets are still available and can be obtained at the BFA office, at Creative Edge or at the Mall at Marathon.