Vauxhall Netball Club Strengthened by Youth Development Programme Support

On March 14th, 2025, the Hon. Adrian Forde, Minister of Environment, National Beautification and the Blue and Green Economy joined Kim Linton, Youth Commissioner of the Youth Development Programme to present netball equipment to the Vauxhall Netball Club. Attending the presentation were 20 netball players, their coach Akeena Stoute and supporters. The presentation was held at the Shirley Chisholm Primary School at Vauxhall, Christ Church.

Coach Akeena Stoute leads a vibrant netball programme at the school, which includes 40 participants, primarily consisting of past and current students of Shirley Chisholm Primary School. This initiative aims to revitalise the Vauxhall district through community volunteering and entertainment via league matches. Stoute began her coaching journey over a decade ago, inspired by Clifford Roach, the club’s former coach who is now a senior selector for the Barbados National Netball Team. Her unwavering commitment has led her to guide the primary school netball team to consistent national finals since 2017 and has nurtured players to transition to the Vauxhall Netball Club. The club has achieved success in the Barbados Netball Association league, finishing as top contenders in the past two years.

During the presentation, Hon. Adrian Forde, the Member of Parliament for the area, highlighted the significance of reviving netball as a crucial aspect of sports development in Barbados. He motivated the group with a well-known saying: “Vauxhall ain’t country, Vauxhall ain’t town, Vauxhall coming for the…”, prompting the group to cheerfully finish with, “the number one spot.” Mr. Forde expressed his excitement about being part of this occasion and praised the team’s dedication, encouraging them to keep making Vauxhall and all of Christ Church proud.

Support from Hon. Charles Griffith, Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Mr. Adrian Forde, the local Youth Commissioner, Mr. Kim Linton, the National Sports Council and Mr. Damian Sands has been vital for improving training resources and athlete development. In addition to sports, the club seeks to uplift young women from underserved backgrounds by cultivating discipline and resilience in a nurturing setting. Nevertheless, sustained growth requires additional resources, staff, and sponsorship to ensure access to proper equipment, training facilities, and development programmes. Therefore, such investments are essential for the success and progress of future generations.