in Anguilla (100m Race) at Webster Park
Anguilla’s Trevor Davis, alias “Ras Bucket”, now retired from competitive sprints and marathon races, wants to compete in a relay race at the James Ronald Webster Park probably for the last time.
The 50-year-old former athlete, who made a name for himself and Anguilla in regional and international athletic championships, is currently employed as a Physical Education Instructor for all of the government-owned primary schools on the island. “As a fitness man, I make sure the children are fit,” he commented. “I show them the drills and the techniques – and I specialise in athletics,” he proudly said. “As an athlete, with those life skills, I am able to help in all sports so I am well-rounded.”
Ras Bucket, who continues to have an overwhelming interest in competitive athletics, has credited a number of local and regional sport personalities who assisted and mentored him in his development as an athlete. “I then began to train myself, wrote my own training programmes and started my own athletics club,” he stated. “People like Ken Banks, Hugo Rey, Victor Banks, the late Watkins Hodge, David Carty and others, were the driving forces behind me. Mr. Carty was instrumental in getting me a job in the school system. I must be honest – David was instrumental in doing that for me.”
Over the years, Ras Bucket has competed on several occasions in international athletic championships. In 1987 he participated in the first world indoor athletic championship in Indianapolis. He has also competed with much success and acclamation in championships sponsored by the International Association of Athletics Federations IAAF). Those championships were held in such distant places as Japan, Romania, Rome, Finland and Germany.
“I had some problems during my athletics career and I thought that the only one who could help me at that time was Governor Alan Shave,” Ras Bucket recalled. I was brave enough to make an appointment with him and to ask for assistance. We had a conversation and through that conversation, the same day, I got some sponsorship from him and Bob Calvert, then General Manager of Cable & Wireless. Mr Shave was also instrumental in obtaining funding for me to go to England on a scholarship, thus securing my job in the school. He was a cyclist and we had 100 and 200 metre races on the Webster Park. He was on his bicycle and I was running. That was in April 1995 to raise funds to help me to go to England – and it was fantastic.”
Ras Bucket was asked what advice he had for young people in Anguilla, including those he is coaching in the primary schools. “I must say to them that they are blessed that they have someone like me to show and help them with what I have learnt over the years, “he replied. “That is because as a youngster I did not have this kind of help from someone who went out and came back to work with them. I want to tell them to be positive, and what I can do to help them I will always do from my heart. I love young people, I love Anguilla, and I don’t want to see our youth walk down a road of crime and violence.”
Ras Bucket stressed that he was desirous to be a sports model and motivator for young people. One of the practical ways he is planning to do that is through a relay race at the Webster Park in competition with a number of young athletes. That event is being planned for a date to be announced later.
