Anguilla’s professional long jumper with Team Great Britain, Shara Proctor, has a bit of good advice for young people in her homeland. It is: “If I can make it this far, you can.”
She was speaking at a welcome reception at Blowing Point Port on Friday, September 21, following her arrival in Anguilla for a short period of rest before resuming her international sporting career.
“I just want to thank everybody coming out to welcome me home. It means a lot to me,” she told Government officials, sport personalities, sponsors and members of the general public. “I have had a long season this year, 2018. I am sure that I can speak for Zharnel also. Coming home to this warm reception means the world to me, and I know that every time I come home it is a special feeling from everybody. I also wish to thank my family for their support, over the years, and Teacher Colin Johnson for getting my career started.
“I want to encourage the young athletes – not just those involved in track and field athletics – but other sports, to keep fighting for the top. I came up with zero to little resources, and if I can make it this far, you can. Anguilla is small, but there is a whole world out there with opportunities, so just grab them when you get them and make the best of them.”
In delivering the opening address, Director of Sports, Mr. Andre Collins, said: “Shara had a fantastic season this year and any athlete would be happy to say, at the end of the season, that he or she had two first places in the Diamond League; came third in the Commonwealth Games; third in the European Championships and the list goes on. We are really happy to have this opportunity to celebrate and welcome you.”
Chief Minister Victor Banks called for a round of applause for Shara. “I think it is important that we recognise our athletes in many ways, as we can, to encourage them on,” he stated. “They are the ones who encourage our youngsters… by their achievements, and help them to recognise that they too can be achievers. At a young age, Shara is one of our veteran active athletes. She has been around for sometime representing Anguilla and doing well. We appreciate her and are grateful for the way she represented the UK and Anguilla.”
Speaking directly to Shara, the Chief Minister said: “The UK is responsible for a lot of the resources that you require to perform the way you have, but we claim you by the nurturing that this community, your parents, other family members, and all who have been close to you, have been able to provide. We thank you for your contribution, and we urge the youngsters who are looking on to recognise that they, too, can do exceptionally well despite the scant resources we have in Anguilla. We hope to leverage what you and Zharnel have been doing in and for the UK to encourage [officials there] to use Anguilla as a breeding ground for athletes by putting resources in Anguilla as well.”
Parliamentary Secretary, Sports, Mr. Cardigan Connor, joined in welcoming Shara home and in congratulating her for her athletic prowess. On behalf of the Ministry of Sports he presented her with a plaque with the following inscription:
“To Shara Proctor in recognition of your accomplishments during the 2018 athletic season: congratulations. Keep making us proud.”
