Velox shows varied sides of professionalism

Manager of the St Vincent Co-operative Bank Laverne Velox put in her two cents last Friday night when she, as featured speaker at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association’s awards and presentation ceremony, deposited her thoughts on the topic: ‘Professionalism – A key ingredient for success in sports’.{{more}}

Velox, speaking at the Murray Heights Hotel in Mc Kies Hill, showed that professionalism is a valuable asset to any sportsman or woman.

In setting the basis for her discourse, Velox established, “Professionalism can be a character trait, an aura, an aspiration, a look, a perception…. It is an attitude which encompasses good behaviour, as well as responsibility…. Professionalism, as it relates to sports, is multi-faceted and not limited to any particular grouping within sporting organizations.

“Many people view professionalism from a purely economic point of view…. The perception is that once you derive financial benefit from overseas contracts, you have become a professional”, Velox added.

Velox opined that the lack of professional thinking has stalled many talented Vincentian sportsmen and women from moving from their talent status to a higher level of attainment.

“Our sportsmen and women tend to play from the shoulders down…. I suspect that because it’s sport, they never consider that their heads – that ability to think, how to outsmart, outplay and outwit their opponents, come into play…Talent is a wonderful attribute, but unless it is harnessed and used to your advantage, it is useless…To remain viable and valuable, you have to put that grey matter between your ears…your brain, to work for you. You have to play intelligently and think critically, even in sports,” Velox applied.

Another facet of professionalism thumbed by Velox was that of discipline, which she identified as paramount.

“Discipline must be the hallmark of any professional sportsperson… Once you have been elevated to the status of sports personality, you are immediately placed under a microscope… It is therefore incumbent upon you to display a very high level of discipline,” Velox told to her audience, which at this time, was in rapt attention.

She followed up by stating, “Sports personalities, especially in small societies as ours, inadvertently become heroes, adored by their fans and emulated by those who aspire to become them…. It is a huge responsibility that you may not have signed up for, but which goes with the territory…You have to be mindful of your words and actions because you are a role model, whose influence and reputation are contagious and from whom many impressionable young people will pattern their lives and behaviour.”

In imploring her target audience, Velox echoed, “Always strive to be the best you can be, ensuring that your influence is positive and socially acceptable”.

The featured speaker concluded with a request, stating: “Every one of you has a responsibility to yourselves to ensure that you attain the highest level of professionalism possible, that when you enter any arena people will have to pay attention to you…. Please remember your role as official or unofficial sports ambassadors for our country, which you must take pride in and always try to exemplify the highest standards of personal and professional behaviour wherever you go…. Challenge yourselves to become better at sports, better individuals and better citizens.”