The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

Anya James is the first woman in history to be elected as president of the Bahamas Football Association (BFA).

The newfound title and position came after the association’s Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday night at Breezes Resort Bahamas.

James was elected to her new position following a 5-4 presidential vote over Sam Thibaud. She previously served as vice president for the BFA with Anton Sealey formerly positioned as president. Sealey opted not to run in this year’s election and now it’s James’ turn to lead the BFA for the next four years.

The newly-named president talked about her historic feat for the BFA.

She said that she is very excited about being the first female president of the BFA and one of her goals is to increase the number of participants in football in the form of players, coaches and referees.

Additionally, James said she wanted to increase the BFA’s presence in the Family Islands.

Although she already made history being named the first female vice president, and now president, she is also only the fourth woman to serve in the position for the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) in the region.

James will not be without help as her council members are Dion Peterson, John Joseph, Gavin Christie, Frankie Edmond, and Andrè Moss. The council will also include Daria Adderley who will join James which makes it two women on the council for the first time in BFA history.

Women have been making waves in the sport recently as Annisa Albury was the first Bahamian woman to referee at the Beach Soccer Pre-World Cup and also Krystal Evans who has served as a FIFA assistant referee since 2019.

As more women make their names in the sport, James had this message for them. “My message to younger women is do not settle just because you are a woman, dream big and follow your passion [and] try to surround yourself with other women who can and will straighten your crown and encourage you to achieve your goals,” the president said.

In regards to football, she also encouraged more women to take on leadership roles in the sport.

After serving as vice president previously, she said she wants to encourage stakeholders to continue to engage in respectful dialogue for the benefit of all in the sport.

With her previous experiences as team manager in 2014 for the under-17 boys national team and as an executive for the Dynamos Football Club, she will look to make her mark in the BFA as president.