Pioneers Athletic Club celebrates 20 years

Some of the athletes awarded by the club

The Pioneers AC, a progressive nonprofit organization is celebrating 20 years of existence in Dominica. The aim of the club is to create athletic opportunities and quality training programmes for all members.

The club was started in December, 1996 by returning Olympian Cedric Harris who also completed his undergraduate studies in USA at this time. Others involved in the formation of the club were Robert Guiste and Marcus Blundell.

The club’s motto is “Faster, Higher, and Longer.”

OBJECTIVES OF THE CLUB

* To enhance public awareness of the importance of athletics as a sport.
* To create a sense of hope, build self-confidence, and develop athletic talent.
* To emphasize the need to exercise regularly in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, and to foster a sporting culture in the community.
* To join the fight against childhood obesity
* To provide an alternative that will help curb the involvement of children in gang violence.
* To provide the young people, especially the most vulnerable, with opportunities to participate in athletics according to their aspirations–from leisure to elite, track and field to road races.
* To enhance the values and image of athletics and promote the Olympic virtues and true sportsmanship
* To emphasize the social responsibility of athletics as a sport by promoting the values and image of Athletics.

An activity was held last Saturday and athletes who excelled in 2015-2016 were recognized. Sponsors to the club’s various activities throughout the 20 existence were also recognized.

Male and female athlete of the year of the club went to:

* Mr. Derick St. Jean-Sponsored by Lindo mart
* Miss. Kellandie Bully- Sponsored by Marva & Benji Harris(USA)

Most Outstanding under 18 female and male

* Shanelle Nichols- Sponsored by Bonnel Henderson(USVI)
* Beres Francis- Sponsored by Bonnel Henderson(USVI)

Most outstanding under 15 female and male

* Keva Pierre-Sponsored by Bonnel Henderson(USVI)
* Nayab Alexander- Sponsored by Bonnel Henderson(USVI)

Most improved distance runner female and male

* Fannie Gregoire-Sponsored by Dr. Sophia & Irving Harney(USA)
* Jabez Ferrira-Sponsored by Dr. Sophia & Irving Harney(USA)

Most outstanding Sprinter female and male

* Jada Scotland-Sponsored by Judy Joseph(Canada)
* Beres Francis-Sponsored by Judy Joseph(Canada)

Best overall distance runner female and male

* Keva Pierre-Sponsored by Dr. Sophia & Irving Harney(USA)
* Camran Carbon-Sponsored by Dr. Sophia & Irving Harney(USA)

Best Jumper male and female

* Kenroy Volney
* Shanelle Nichols

Most dedicated female and male

* Elvisha Durand-Sponsored by Arthur & Cynthia Robin(USA)
* Rick Timothy-Sponsored by Arthur & Cynthia Robin(USA)

Most improved under 18 girls and boys

* Jada Scotland
* Giftus Charter

Most improved under 15 female & male

* N’Dalia Laudat
* Dewanie-deedee Laudat

Most improved under 13 female and male

* Claudine Harris
* Nayab Alexander

Most dedicated new member male and female

* Kitwanna Theophille
* Giftus Charter

Youngest members

*Junior Jeanjacques
*Kaidi Rolle

A special thank you to all those who have assisted in one way or another during the years.

They are:

Jeffery “Choco” Timothy
Dr. Damien Dublin Dental Clinic
Niki Beauty Saloon
Pegs Beauty Shop
Sabi Beauty Saloon
Reuben’s Bakery
Josephine Gabriel & Co. LTD
Lindo Mart
HHV Whitchurch Shipping
Felix Gregoire
Dr. Sophia and Husband Irving Harney
Bonnel Henderson

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6 Comments

  1. precious
    December 24, 2016

    Sir Harris is an intelligent man, with alot ambition i pray he continues to do what he does best .Proud member of pioneer <3

  2. Coach Harris
    December 23, 2016

    Thanks again to all who have help us throughout the years and present. This activity could not be possible without you support, Fabian Florant was left out in error from the awards sponsored list and I do appologize for this. Fabian Florant did sponsor the awards for best male and female jumpers.

    Season greetings are extended to all sports lovers and athletes in Dominica and beyond around this time of year know to many as the season of love and peace on earth to all men!

    Coach Harris!!!

  3. Me
    December 20, 2016

    Cedric Harris should get an award too for his dedication, time and commitment.

  4. Sylvester Cadette
    December 20, 2016

    This is Great. I wish them many more years of Success. Keep striving.
    I also want to throw out a challenge to Pioneer Sports Club, all the other prominent sports clubs on island, the Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports.

    GIVE US SOME OLYMPIANS FOR 2020 IN JAPAN OR AT LEAST FOR 2024.
    Here is how to do it. Lets get some technical and financial assistance from China, Brazil (yes closer cultural ties with Brazil), Mexico and wherever else possible. Let’s get technical assistance from Jamaica – specifically UTECH Jamaica.

    With the Financial assistance Sports Division and Olympic Committee work with the Sports Clubs equitably in grooming the athletes. Send them to UTECH training facility on short stints (3 months) if we cannot afford long sports scholarships.

    Create a partnership with our local LIME, DIGICEL & DOMLEC Companies – they can assist with hardware, Branding and advertising – a win-win.
    The Pharmacies can provide concession on supplements and nutrition

    • Sylvester Cadette
      December 20, 2016

      Each Dominican contribute $2 every six months ($4 a year) or as much as that person is inclined to give. if 15,000 contribute =EC$60,000 plus. this is purely for athletes development – NOT FOR ADMIN PURPOSES.
      EACH Dominican in the diaspora who loves Dominica (ALL :) ) can contribute US$1 a month or as much as that person is inclined to give. if 5,000 Dominicans give the minimum =US $60,000. this is not much but it is a start and when the athletes start winning more will come in.

      The Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences can now harness ALL the much talked about network and contacts to talk to athletics hardware & shoe and accessories companies, contacts with prominent athletes willing to be part of assistance to a small island territory – a publicity boost for them too on the international scene – a win-win. All the soliciting must or ought to be done with full knowledge of the Sports Division and Ministry of Sports to avoid conflict or misrepresentation.

      • Sylvester Cadette
        December 20, 2016

        Have power camps for the athletes where they train, boost their nutrition and conditioning prior to major regional and international events. expose them to etiquette and protocol classes and instill a sense of pride as relates our national anthem, emblems etc and enthuse them with a cause – a rallying cause and slogan that can ignite them and the entire nation with them. This rallying slogan must be on the lips of all – it must rest in their subconscious.

        When athletes succeed (Gold, Silver or Bronze) at Carifta, Commonwealth and other meets put them on TV and Radio – let all the schools hear of them (LOVE THEM UP :-D :-D ) Put up a billboard close to the airport. This will be added incentive to the rest.
        with the whole nation occupied with a fever for athletics and Olympic medals probably we will forget the tendency of cannibalistic political tribalism and really work together to achieve.
        Turn the Red, Blue and Green Christmas colors into a big party of D/can Success.

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