Aldwynable

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Iere began to falter on its social
events and I stepped in to get the
club reinstated into the Ottawa
Royals Annual Indoor tournament.
I did not run for office but always
stepped up when voids were creat-
ed. I stepped in with Caribbean
Stars and coordinated the Annual
Washington Bus rides and the
team entry into the Washington All
Stars outdoor tournament and
whether it be uniforms or track
suits I stepped up unnoticed.
The challenge for the older
members of Iere was in passing
the baton to younger leadership.
Without controversy I led from the
back and after evolving into a
creditable leader it goes without
saying that type of thinking was
harder on the potential leaders.
Luckily, overcoming challenges
including the (Midget) smallness of
size, I learned very early that
success is about comfort and
winning and it cannot be taken
lightly or taken away as easily as
the lack of opportunities.
As midget I grew taller and as a
member of Iere I learned how to
expand my thought in a positive
way. Iere was definitely a good
learning experience for me.
There was scepticism in ‘77
when West Indies approached
Iere for players to boost their
chances in the higher Premier
division and Allan Calendar
Calvin ‘Offstick” Lewis, Tony
Robinson, and myself left Iere
to assist West Indies.
While at West Indies I got
injured at Flemingdon Park
(mistake) and missed the rest of
the Premier league season.
I returned to Iere in ‘78 and
while leading the team in
points I was benched at
Sunjets tournament in Brooklyn
Page 35
L-R Back: C. Archer, N. Bell, T. Skerritt, V. Manswell, G. Eversley, Fenton, D. Devonish, K. Wilson Middle:
E. Ryan, R. Rhyner, C.Yewoon, M. Sosa: Front: E. Ryan, J. Perryman, C. Davis, Junior M, C. Hamblett
Many thought it was about the benching
but it had more to do with a player
involved in my scenario who was allowed
to play and the coach only explanation
was that he was looking for a forward.
This while his lineup included older
members who played the entire game.
Needless to say, I left the tournament and
the club and changed my position in the
sport to a forward for the rest of my
career. It was an easy transition since
scoring and creativity had to be utilized
when I was a smaller player. Everything
happens for a reason and my commitment
to facts and staying true to my ideals
seem to have worked.
I rejoined Iere in ‘83 only
when Roland Braithwaite
became the coach.
Under Roland the club
enjoyed its best years in
terms of record and I
won Iere most goal titles
from 83 to 87. Ironically,
not many people noticed
my change from a
midfielder to a forward
until the club went two
steps backward.