RIP Brother Jules

The inevitability of death has again hit the St Vincent and the Grenadines sporting fraternity.

This, after the sudden death of sports administrator and sports journalist Jules Anthony, last Friday, November 16.

Sudden, because he had shown no signs of illness, more so the worst case, that of death.

The reality is that Brother Jules has left us at the age of 65.

Critically, he has departed with much still left in the tank of service, as his effervescent nature would had exhibited.

Many though, may ask what is the significance of persons mourning his loss.

Truth be told, Jules has always been a contributor to St Vincent and the Grenadines, especially in the field of sports.

Having served for many years as the head of the North Leeward Sports Association, one of Jules’ major success stories was his tenacity in being the driving force behind the now defunct North Leeward Under-15 cricket competition.

At the time of its hosting, this competition would have been the resource pool for the honing of the skills of national under-15 cricket programme.

History would bear this out, as during the period of hosting of the North Leeward Under-15 competition, St Vincent and the Grenadines was boss of that age level in the Windward Islands.

The importance of the North Leeward competition, was further borne out, as most of the players who represented St Vincent and the Grenadines at that time at the Under-15 level, were drawn from that locale.

Further success was reaped, as players advanced to represent the Windward Islands grouping in regional Under-15 tournaments.

Today, thanks to Jules and others, the VINLEC North Leeward 20/20 tournament, has emerged as one of the better organised community expose of cricket talent, in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Nationally, Jules input was extended to the executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association.

In addition, Jules at the time of death, was a member of the Board of the National Sports Council (NSC), having been, prior, at the helm at the NSC, as the chair.

Jules also gave his expertise to football, and until his death was a member of the recently formed Marketing Committee of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation.

One who loved his community, Jules was an unrepentant supporter of anything or anyone that came from the bowels of North Leeward.

Some may say bias, but whenever schools, teams or individuals from North Leeward area were to have excelled in a sporting endeavour, or in another sphere, it was certain of a media highlight.

But it was from being a stringer on the National Broadcasting Corporation (Radio 705), in which he reported on sporting activities taking place in North Leeward that pricked his interest in sports journalism.

Hence, sports reporting was transformed from a hobby to a vocation for Jules.

His liking to social media, namely Facebook, added greater meaning to his coverage of sports.

National teams, namely cricket, football and netball, were assured that their departures for overseas assignments would be captured on still shots to serve that integral publicity purpose.

Lately, Jules took to having videos recorded on players and parents, along with team management, which were posted and loaded on his Facebook page, for all to savour.

This type of coverage was stretched to visiting teams, who likewise got similar publicity via Jules’ medium.

It is significant to note that on the morning of his death, Jules had intentions to go to the Argyle International Airport, to capture photos of the St Vincent and the Grenadines senior men’s football team, Vincy Heat, as they set out for the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Nations League qualifiers.

Unfortunately, he never made it, but that summed up his passion for sports.

As a media practitioner, very little of his photos were deemed exclusive, as he was selfless in his sharing.

Neither were his vehicles remote from fellow journalists who needed a ride to and from a sporting event.

Therefore, Jules’ departure from this life, though, has left a void in sports in North Leeward, nationally, as well as media coverage of sporting events at the national, regional and international levels.

It would be remiss of the North Leeward Sports Association, not to honour in a tangible way, the contribution to that community, and the contribution in general of the late Jules Anthony.

To his wife, children, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, relatives and others who were close to Jules, deepest sympathy from this column.

Rest In Peace – Brother Jules.