As we celebrate International Women’s Day. The two emerging themes this year surrounds Choosing to challenge and Women in leadership.
Therefore, there would be conversations surrounding biases and challenging misconceptions and women leadership.
The UNDP noted “This year’s International Women’s Day is like no other. As countries slowly recover from a devastating pandemic, we have the chance to finally end the exclusion and marginalization of women and girls…It is time to finally fully harness the power of women’s leadership to realise a more equal, more inclusive, and more sustainable future.”
The North Zonal Council would like to celebrate this auspicious occasion by highlighting “Women of Power” in the North Zone all week. Each day we would be highlighting their stories and how they #ChooseToChallenge.
Stephanie Power
- Can you tell us a little about yourself, and your career in sport?
“I am a former Captain and Coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Cricket Team 1998 to 2006. As well as former Captain and Assistant Coach of the WI Women’s Cricket Team 2003 to 2005.”
“An ECB-trained Tutor/ Trainer and have helped to facilitate coaching courses in various countries in the world. Level 2 Coach, coached boys, girls, and men’s teams. Coached a Secondary Schools Girls’ team on a successful tour to Canada in 2018, and coached San Juan North Secondary Senior boys` team to victory in the inaugural Flow T10 tournament in a Secondary School competition. Former Assistant coach of the TTUTA Male cricket team in the Les Harris Teacher’s competition and presently Coach of the UWI Ladies Cricket Team.”
- What was your motivation to choose this career path or get involved in sport?
“I came from a cricketing background as my parents, uncles and aunt, brothers – John, Paul and Walter – and a sister, Annie Scantlebury, all played the game. I received my first pair of cricket shoes and pants from my sister Annie and my brother John Power boasts that he taught me everything I know.”
- What advice do you have for young girls/women wanting to choose a profession in sport?
“A bit of advice for the young women is to follow your dreams, work hard but remember there is life after cricket so try to get a good education also. Find a way to marry them both.”
- Can you describe any major challenges you faced as a woman in this industry?
“The major challenges were, trying to juggle my career as a teacher, taking care of my son, and maintaining my skill and fitness level.”
- What has been your biggest highlight in your career within the sports industry?
“Highlights of my career was being awarded the Hummingbird Medal Silver in 2017. There were other sterling moments like being inducted into the Cricket Hall Of Fame in Connecticut in 2014 and also inducted into the First Citizens Sports Foundation Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 but receiving one of the country’s highest awards was the most touching.”
- What do you think are some of the major misconceptions as a professional woman in sport?
“When we played, most of the men who came to watch the games were mostly relatives or diehard supporters of the clubs. We were not taken seriously as it was felt that we should be at home taking care of the family. Many more men are coming to view women play nowadays as they are genuinely pleased and in some instances amazed at the level of cricket played by women. We hit sixes, reverse sweep, take outstanding catches and play genuine cricket shots as our Male counterparts.”
- When you started your career to now, how has the treatment / acceptance by men changed towards women in that space?
“For me, the respect has grown both by my peers and the players. I have been rewarded for my diligence and have been appointed and elected at various levels of my organization. The acceptance towards women is slowly showing across the board.”
- What do you think is the biggest barrier in driving visibility of women’s sport in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean Region?
“We still suffer from a lack of sponsorship. It is not a daunting task as before because of the support of CWI but lack of sponsorship remains a bugbear for women’s cricket. Since many women’s games are being televised, there is a growing interest but we are far from being truly accepted and appreciated.”
Congratulations, Ms. Power, on being recognized as a “Woman of Power.” Atlantis Cricket Club – NY is very proud of all of your accomplishments and was delighted to honor you as its 2012 Life Member, a prominent addition to its list of international cricketers and Honorary Life Members. All of Atlantis cherish your distinguished position as the first woman of such stature honored by the New York-based club.