West Indies Local: Alexandra boys stars in own right

The Boys of Alexandra School have come of age.

Last weeks joint capture of the Cable & Wireless BET Under-15 cricket title with St. Peter neighbours, Coleridge and Parry, proved the school has thrown off its girls tag and was now totally co-ed.

Alexandra, founded in 1894, was an all-girls institution until 1984 when the first boys came on board.

At present the school is headed by its first male principal, Erwin Brathwaite, who took over the year the school celebrated its 100th anniversary.

In the early days, the boys had to deal with the heckles that they were representing a girls school, said teacher McLester Burrowes, himself a former Division 1 cricketer.

Over the years we have developed boys to rise above that. They understand what it means to put the schools name somewhere. They see it as their school - not just a girls school.

Not only has the school excelled in cricket but it has produced noted names in football, basketball and track and field.

Topping the cricket list is Corey Collymore, the 21-year-old fast bowler who made his Test debut earlier this year against Australia.

There is also Rondell Yearwood, a Division 1 player for ESA Field Pickwick and a former West Indies Under-19 representative.

Leg-spinner Sean Edwards toured England in 1991 with the Barbados Under-19 team, and more recently, Jason Crawford and Kirk Edwards toured with the Barbados Under-15 team.

The football field has produced national player Albert Mapp, as well as Sadiq Hill, who also doubles as a Division 1 cricketer for CHIC Schools North.

One of the first boys, Fedel Holder, was a Carifta athlete, and recently Terry Nurse joined the list in his pet event, the javelin.

There have also been talented basketballer in the likes of Tyrone Alexander - appropriately named - and Henry Richards.

The school created history earlier this decade by becoming the first school to win the Barbados Cricket Associations Division 2 title, when they ousted Police.

They also boosted their trophy cabinet collection last year by winning the Goddard Enterprises Schools cricket crown.

Burrowes gave much praise to Physical Education teacher Peter Vaughn, another former Division 1 player, who has helped to mould a strong mental and physical programme since joining in 1987.

In 87 when Peter and I came to Alexandra, there was no real system in place, Burrowes said.

Peter came as strictly a games teacher and I came from boys schools (The Lodge School) which had a strong tradition in sports.

Together, they were able to piece together the small but vital units in todays success story.

Describing Vaughn as a multi-talented sportsman, and himself as someone dreaming of success, Burrowes said they were blessed to have an initial group of enthusiastic boys.

This team went on to place second to Harrison College in the 1989 Under-15 tournament and things began to fall in place.

We were able to get NSC (National Sports Council) coaches and start a nursery to develop through stages, Burrowes said.

We had help from Curtis Forde (a groundsman) and some willing parents, including Carlton Pollard.

While the boys have grown in stature, the girls have continued to hold their own.

Lucy-Ann Richards has worn the national colours at an international athletics meet, and volleyball has joined netball as a major sport for the female students.

Though pleased with the success he has reaped, Burrowes spoke of some obstacles in the way.

When you start with nothing, whatever you achieve you feel satisfied. There is still no pavilion, and despite an environment of success, some old habits die hard, he explained.

He added, though, that sport serves as a natural brother alongside academics as the school seeks to encourage students to excel in all chosen areas of endeavour.

Noting that funding was difficult to obtain in the early years, he was quick to add that people have assisted and the boys have excelled