Brewley brought back to guide Softball Association

BY DEAN GREENAWAY

When Walwyn ‘GM’ Brewley walked away from the BVI Amateur Softball Association helm following the 2003 season, he anticipated going to games when he felt like it, and helping out when he could. But President Neville Smith told him he would not be leaving the sport, immediately naming him an honorary member. Brewley was among several veteran players honored during the 2004 season opener and he also scored and announced several games during the season.

Last Tuesday night, he returned to the post he vacated 16 months ago on October 30, 2003 as head of association. Brewley—who has the second longest presidential tenure in BVI sports, serving 22 years from 1981-2003—said his decision to come back won’t last long. This time around, he’s only filling a temporary gap.

“I told them I would come back, but not for an extended period. It’s not for 20 years,” Brewley assured. “I am here just to try and help put things back on an even keel and get the league going. In the next two or three years, I expect to bow out for good.”

Joining Brewley on the executive are; Glenford ‘Chappy’ Maduro, vice president; Julian Adams, Treasurer, Juliette Penn, Secretary General; Patricia Hodge, assistant secretary; Byron Parsons, Public Relations Officer. Brewley replaced Smith who tendered his resignation effective Feb. 28, but it was rejected by the executive triggering the elections.

The immediate plan is to get the league up and running. Prior to elections, plans were to have the league start at the end of March, based on using rosters from teams who played in the 2004 season and making amendments as the season progressed. Brewley says things are already running late.

“I won’t want the league run into the August Festival again and beyond. If it means having a short league, then we might just have to do that,” Brewley stated. “The league is tentatively scheduled to begin during the first weekend in April and that’s late. We have to work and see how we can get around that. Normally, we have teams meeting each other twice, but we may not be able to get that done this year. We have to play it by ear at this point in time and see how it goes.”

Several problems must be addressed before the league begins Brewley pointed out. He said the lighting is poor, resulting in dark areas in the outfield. The scorers’ booth which he described as “deplorable” needs work, as well at the outfield which was damaged during a recent reggae concert.

The association also had a visit from International Softball Federation 1st vice president Clovis Lodewijks. Brewley said his mission was two fold—to see how things are going on the local level and to drum up support for softball to remain as a sport in the Pan American Games. “They are trying to take softball out of the games and he came to lobby support from our Olympic Committee to keep softball in,” Brewley noted. “I can’t see why they want to take us out.”

Lodewijks met with BVI Olympic Committee president Rey O’Neal and sports minister Lloyd Black. When asked what he expected from Lodewijks’ visit, Brewley said he’s not sure as numerous promises are made but they never materialize. “He has promised to help with training of managers, coaches and officials,” Brewley said. “We’ll have to see how that pans out.”