The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

VETERAN versatile player Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson made history on Saturday when she became the first female to win the presidency of the Bahamas Softball Federation.

She became the eighth president of the governing body for the sport in the country during the annual general meeting and election of officers when she secured 16 votes to beat out umpire-in-chief Thomas Sears, who garnered just four votes and manager Alphonso “Chicken” Albury with the other two.

In being elected, she follows the list of men who served, including Michael Moss, Churchill Tener- Knowles, Austin Knowles, Neko Grant, deceased Greg Christie, Romell Knowles, Burket Dorsett and immediate past president Ted Miller.

The elections came on the heels of the New Providence Softball Association elections that took place a week ago.

Both elections were delayed because of the restrictions imposed for COVID-19 over the past two years.

“I’m very humbled and looking forward to serving the softball community and of course, the Bahamas at large,” Isaacs-Dotson said. “It’s indeed humbling and I want to say thank you to all who supported me and I look forward to their continued support.

“But now the work actually begins and whether it’s man or woman, the work has to be done because I’ve chosen to become the president and I’m proud to be the first woman and I hope I can live up to everyone’s expectations and we can accomplish a lot during our term together as an executive team.”

During Saturday’s elections conducted by Dorsett and observed by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Director of Sports, Timothy Munnings, Isaacs-Dotson’s entire slate went in, but not without some challenges from the slate that Sears had assembled.

Eleuthera’s Johnnie Butler won first vice president 18-3 over Kendal Ferguson from Exuma, while Arthur Johnson captured the second VP 11-7 over Daphanie McKinney with immediate past NPSA president Desiree Taylor collecting four.

Grand Bahamian Helena Cooper took the third vice president spot 14-8 over Fuilton ‘Papa Doc’ Bowleg, Marvin ‘Toogie’ Wood emerged as the fourth vice president 18-4 over Nacara Curtis and former Bahamas Government Departmental Association president Thora Sweeting won the fifth vice president post 13-8 over Sherwin Major.

Jeannie ‘Bubbles’ Minus is the new secretary, posting a 14-7 decision over Erikia Albury, while Martha Edgecombe captured the assistant secretary post, winning with 14 over McKinney’s four and Albury’s one.

Corey Burrows is now the new treasurer, edging out incumbent Jeffery ‘Beef’ Henfield 11-9, but Henfield will be back as he will assume the post of assistant treasurer.

“I have a very diverse executive team, all who possess various strengths and we have to utilise that and utilise everyone in the best position to do things that they are actually better at to fit into,” Isaacs-Dotson pointed out.

“We will meet as an executive and come up with our goals.

“I have some ideas that I want to see accomplished, particularly youth development and, of course, ensuring that Family Island Associations are all active and up and running.”

Just as important on their agenda will be an aggressive fund-raising plan to ensure that they are in a position to push the BSF forward in all of its undertakings over the next three years.

In accepting his defeat, Sears congratulated the new executive board, headed by the first female president Isaacs-Dotson. He wished them every success in elevating softball in the country.