Greiggs organizations honour local sporting heroes

The Greiggs Sports and Cultural Organization and the Sea Operations Nar Fren Dem Sports Club joined last Wednesday, National Heroes’ Day, to recognize four persons who have made sterling contributions in the field of sports in the Greiggs community.

Honoured during the hosting of the Garifuna Heritage Festival, staged at the Greiggs Central Playing Field, were Rohan Nero, Anica Lavia, Danielle Spencer and Arthneil Baker.

Rohan Nero

Nero, who distinguished himself as a footballer, rose from representing village teams, such as Downstreet, Greiggs, along with outfits such as Roseans, Pastures, Thompson FC and Mespo United.

Nero, a defender, graduated to the senior St Vincent and the Grenadines team, where he was part of the national squad that contested the World Cup qualifiers in 1996.

His stint with the national team took Nero to several countries in the Caribbean, as well as Central America.

Anica Lavia

 Still an active softball cricketer, Lavia also played hard ball cricket.

Lavia began playing cricket at the primary school level, before joining her first club – Greiggs Original Spankers.

An all-rounder, Lavia was known for her wicketkeeping and her batting, which saw her moving on to the United Survivors Cricket Club.

Lavia was able to take her skills overseas, when the club toured neighbouring countries Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and St Lucia.

Currently, Lavia is a member of the Sea Operations Nar Fren Dem women’s softball cricket team.

Danielle Spencer

 Excelling in the sport of netball, Spencer played the goal attack position for the Greiggs Adventist Netball team, Sea Operations Nar Fen Dem, Aycees Nice Radio Clinchers and Valley Netters.

Spencer is credited to have aided in the development of netballers from Greiggs; among them are Dilonie Sam, Tamara Baptiste and Zanelle James, all of whom have represented St Vincent and the Grenadines at sub regional tournaments.

Arthneil Baker

 Baker is one of the distinguished basketballers to have come out from Greiggs.

Coached by Selmon Bascombe, Baker was elevated to the Greiggs 69ers team, before moving on to Greiggs Most Wanted, which played in the national basketball tournament, as well as other area competitions.

During his playing career, Baker was selected on several all-star teams and collected seven individual MVP awards.

The four recipients were presented with medals and plaques bearing their citations.

The honouring of Greiggs sporting heroes has become an annual undertaking by the two organizations. The process began last year.