Freeport, Bahamas – Ms. Eula June White, more affectionately known in Grand Bahama as ‘Grammy White’ is still in the game after years of service to The Bahamas’ community through her time commitment and passion to youth sports.
As a former physical education teacher who taught in the government system for more than 50 years until her retirement in 2001, she is still extremely active, in particular with officiating in track and field events, and coaching in soccer. ‘Grammy’ is most often seen at any of the island’s track and field events, the annual Conchman Triathlon, and over the years she has supported the growth and development of the sport of soccer, which is now one of the country’s top sports.
You will be sure to see Grammy officiating at the next track and field event, assisting each year at the Sir Jack Hayward Premier League Soccer Camp, and she will once again be back on the soccer field when the girls’ league commences again this Saturday, September 24th.
I caught up with Grammy White on the soccer pitch last year during the Grand Bahama Girls’ Soccer Developmental League to ask her about her involvement in youth sports in The Bahamas.
Grammy has a thirty year history of teaching and youth sports which started in Nassau where she taught at Centerville Primary and Sandilands Primary Fox Hill; and then moved to the island of Grand Bahama where she taught eight years at Martin Town Primary, eight years at Holmes Rock Primary, eight years at Martin Town Primary, and four and a half years at Hugh Campbell Primary.
“I received my primary, secondary, and commercial education in Trinidad. In The Bahamas I attended Aquinas College Nassau night classes, then The Bahamas Teachers College. Upon graduating I was one of the first groups of female teachers who were posted to the Family Islands. I also obtain a B. A. in Elementary Education from the University of Miami,” said White.
“Growing up my siblings were involved with soccer, cricket and track, and today my children and grand children are also involved in track and field, soccer and swimming. My sister Boni Bishop also coached soccer in Trinidad and was an international FIFA referee. In the 70s Mr. Goldsmith and I were instrumental with the introduction of the weekly swimming program at the YMCA. ”
When she transferred to Grand Bahama as a PE teacher she said they were required to teach the skills of the various popular sports of that time such as softball, baseball, basketball, track and field. “I then became involved with Francis Bain, Arthur Parrish and Caudel McNab who were at that time trying to introduce soccer into the primary schools. Introducing a new sport into the school system always sounds like a good idea, but it posed certain challenges, in particular fitting it in to an already busy schedule with all the other sports, exam schedules, holidays, and so on.”
It was not until after a few years and when McNab became the Primary School Sports Association president that they were then able to get the body to approve to introduce soccer into the program. They were then invited to the official opening of the Grand Bahama Football League (GBFL) in the early 90s who announced they would be trying to introduce the sport of soccer into the school. She was pleased to tell the GBFL that they had already started.
Grammy White later assisted the GBFL and has held all executive positions except the post as treasurer in the Grand Bahama Primary Schools Physical Education Association.
Grammy White shares what she feels makes up a good P.E. teacher, “A good P. E. teacher must be knowledgeable with, and know the basic fundamental skills of the sport and teach fair play as well as accept the decisions of the referees. A teacher must always set a good example for students.”
When asked where she sees soccer going in Grand Bahama she answered, “At the moment I am rather disappointed with the way things are going. After we’ve all worked so hard to bring it to life, it is sad to see the GBFL has folded. I am pleased that the sport is still being played in the primary and high schools, but after graduation there is no where for them to go. The youth programs at the Rugby Club and the offered at the Grand Bahama Girls’ Developmental Soccer Program is at least keeping the sport alive and helping some of the talented young players on the island obtain college scholarships. I’ve been assisting with the girls’ program run by Donnie and Mary Knowles for many years.
Grammy White states her proudest accomplishment of her long career is being able to, “Through national and international competition, expose athletic ability so the athletes can obtain college education, and with no or little expense to their parents.”
It is through the commitment of people like Ms. White, who without compensation gives so much of her time, ‘for the love of the game’ and for the benefit of our youth, that truly exemplifies her as pillar of our community.
By Robbin Whachell
Editor
The Bahamas Weekly
