Barbados: Woman On Board (23 Jul 1998)

23 July 1998

Woman On Board

The Barbados Nation

Tony Marshall will have Keith Simmons as his deputy for the next year. And there is a woman on the board for the first time in the BCAs history.

Accountant Patricia Greenidge made history when she was elected treasurer ahead of Rodney Wilkinson, the face of the Gems of Barbados project. Greenidge, the wife of former West Indies opening batsman Alvin, won by 152 votes to 128.

Marshall had no opposition for the presidency of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) at its 64th annual general meeting held at Sherbourne Centre yesterday.

But Keith Simmons no stranger to elective office but a newcomer to cricket politics was separated by just a single vote from his friend and incumbent Jeff Broomes.

Former MP Simmons, who only announced his interest in the race for first vice-president this week, got home by 204 votes to 203 after a tense recount in a voting process which took about an hour.

There were 24 spoilt votes and 13 were not returned.

Simmons, who has served on national football and track and field boards, was nominated by Algy Symmonds, with Edward Walcott as seconder.

Charlie Griffith, chairman of the BCAs selection panel, was elected unopposed as second vice-president, ending speculation that he would not run for office.

For the post of third vice-president, former West Indies fast bowler Joel Garner was pitted against Barbados Cricket League president Owen Estwick after incumbent Stephen Alleyne and Broomes declined nomination.

The long and short of it was that Garner won easily, defeating Estwick by 214 votes to 121.

Peter Symmonds was returned by acclamation as secretary.

Although Marshall was elected unopposed for his third term, there was a last-minute attempt at a challenge from the floor.

When outgoing secretary Vernon Williams was out of the meeting, he was nominated and seconded but he declined to contest the position. This sent a buzz around the packed hall.

Before the election process, there was a lengthy discussion on the presidents report.

While there were questions on aspects of the BCAs finances, members appeared generally pleased that the BCA was able to report a profit of more than $450,000 after a deficit of $353,000 in the last financial year.

Marshall was riding on the crest of an injection of funds into the BCA in recent weeks through the sponsorship of domestic competitions by Courts, Simpson Motors and Bubbas and culminating last week with a $350 000 contribution from Texaco for the senior Barbados team.

The presidents detractors have questioned his management style as well as what they say is his lopsided emphasis on the balance sheet of the BCA to the detriment of the overall development of the game.

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)