The Commonwealth Youth Games Bahamas 2017 is fast approaching and the local organizing committee is proceeding with its mission to present The Bahamas as the place for Sun, Sand, Sea and SPORTS! The stage has been set and the curtains are about to open on an event that will capture the attention of 71 Commonwealth countries, and indeed the world.

In preparation for this event, the committee, along with CEO Romell Knowles has begun the appointment of a dynamic team of persons to support its efforts.  As one of the legacies of the Commonwealth Youth Games is to inspire young people to the movement of sports, the LOC has ensured that its team includes persons in this age group and this initiative extends beyond the Caribbean shores of The Bahamas into the University life of the students that make up the Commonwealth.

Recent additions are Jeordie Moss and Lucas Giffen, both of whom are pursuing degrees in Sports Management from Brock University in Ontario, Canada.  Both young men are also Queen Elizabeth Scholars – a program funded by Universities Canada, Rideau Hall Foundation and Community Foundations of Canada.  In conjunction with Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC), the QE Scholars program provides Brock University Faculty of Applied Sciences students with the opportunity to travel abroad to complete an internship, helping to build leaders and communities through sport.

Embarking upon their first real world assignment, both Jeordie and Lucas have been named Games Relations Managers with the responsibility of liaising between Commonwealth Games Associations and the LOC’s Operations Teams.

Luke and Jeordie will work under the decorated leadership of Mr. Mike Sands, former CEO of the 2014 and 2015 editions of the IAAF World Relays who has taken on the responsibility of Games Family Relations Director.

Mr. Micheal Guy has been seconded from The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having recently returned from the Peoples Republic of China and has worked alongside the Local Organising Committee of the London Olympics. Mike has extensive knowledge in sports administration through his overseas posting, the last being London, where he coordinated events for the Commonwealth Games in Scotland and the London Olympics.

As co-directors, Guy and Sands will as act as the primary liaisons between the LOC and the 69 Commonwealth Youth Games’ Associations.  In this capacity, they will champion the needs and expectations of CYGAs, providing regular communication to ensure the consistent and appropriate planning and delivery of services to athletes, team officials and VIPs.

Mrs. Cora Hepburn has been appointed Deputy Managing Director of Sports Operations with responsibility for all sports related matters. Mr. Sands and Guy will report directly to Mrs. Hepburn. 

Mrs. Hepburn has garnered substantial Sports Administration exposure across numerous sporting disciplines from athletics to volleyball to gymnastics.  She is currently the Vice President of The Bahamas Commonwealth Games Association and has recently led Team Bahamas as Team Manager for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Cora is also Chairperson of the Woman and Sports Commission and served as Chief of Missions for a number of international sporting events.

Ms. Lantasha Bethel, Executive Assistant to CEO Knowles has been appointed Sports Entries Coordinator.  Her portfolio will focus on the administration of the ATOS Games Management System. Lantasha comes from a strong administrative back ground having served as operations supervisor, customer service manager and human resource supervisor for a number of major international companies stationed in The Bahamas.

The committee is making strides and its growing staff is poised to present an event that every so often eliminates the geographic boundaries of the Commonwealth through a unique Caribbean experience!