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.
Amara Felix-Toussaint
- Can you tell us a little about yourself, and your career in sport?
“I’m the current Secretary of the North Zonal Council of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board. Having graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma and Masters Degree in Sport Management I’ve had more than 10 years of experience in sport management and development. I also have some experience in football having served as an administrator at the Trinidad & Tobago Super League and even completing my Level 1 Coaching Badge with the English Football Association.”
- What was your motivation to choose this career path or get involved in sport?
“I participated in track and field and football at school but it wasn’t until I completed my first degree in Literature I realised it may have been what I was excelling in school but not something I wanted as a career. At the time unless you were a professional athlete or seeking scholarship funding, sport was not something being mentioned at career fairs. My passion was really working in sport. Subsequently, I started volunteering in sport and devoted my time to pursue higher education in sport and sport-related certification.”
- What advice do you have for young girls/women wanting to choose a profession in sport?
“My advice would be to write down your goals and pursue them relentlessly. Sport is a professional career whether you are a physiotherapist, lecturer, coach, or athlete. When you use your knowledge and experience you will stand out confidently. Also, I would suggest forming a network of strong females in your field whether it be nationally or internationally; there is strength in numbers. What you may be experiencing as a woman in a specific situation may not be unique and sharing experiences would only fortify your ability to power through challenges as they come. There are times where your hard work and preparation will meet opportunities; seize them with both hands and give your best.”
- Can you describe any major challenges you faced as a woman in this industry?
“Being a young woman working in a male-dominated field many times you can be oversexualised. You become self-conscious about the way you interact or even dress. However, over time I have realised that once you conduct yourself in a professional manner and set boundaries people have no choice but to follow your lead.”
- What has been your biggest highlight in your career within the sport industry?
“I have had many highlights thus far. But as a woman in this industry what stood out for me is the nurturing and molding that was provided to me by two key women in cricket Mrs. Anne Brown John and Ms. Ingrid Maxwell. Many times in the workplace you would hear of women competing or disliking each other. But they provided an avenue for me to learn new skills, gain new experiences and responsibilities. By bridging the gap and providing a strong example of a woman in this field it allowed me to confidently represent myself as a professional sport administrator.”
- What do you think are some of the major misconceptions as a professional woman in sport?
“Honestly I believe although there are many many misconceptions of women in sport we have long proven our capability and value for any misconceptions to still exist in 2021.”
- When you started your career to now, how has the treatment/acceptance by men changed towards women in that space?
“Fortunately for me, I have not experienced too many negative effects from men. There have been so many women that have come before me that have set the pace, that has trailblazed the path. It became easier for men to accept and respect and even ask for a women’s opinion because they know we may have differences in opinions that are usually very valuable. For example, the current North Zone Council has entrusted me with the role of secretary and their representative to the T& T Cricket Board. They have chosen women to represent and chair their committees and that comes with a huge responsibility.”
- What do you think is the biggest barrier in driving visibility of women’s sport in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean Region?
“Recognition from our male counterparts. I think when male colleagues and male athletes actively support women in sport the rest of the world has no choice but to stop and take notice and give us equal and mutual respect. Very similar to the effect the late Kobe Bryant brought to the WNBA and women’s soccer in the USA. I think it is also important that women are publicly endorsed as leaders and strategic administrators in sport and not just as supporting staff. Locally there are many men who have recognised and even recommended women to take up leadership roles. For example our female Minister of Sport and many other female directors and managers in the field.”
- Can you name some other women in sport athletes or administrators that you admire and why?
“I really admire Serena Williams, for showing the dichotomy of a woman. Strong and competitive on the field but patient and nurturing as a mother and wife. Locally I would really have to mention some of the women who are very integral to sport in Trinidad and Tobago but have chosen to work silently in the background. For example, Anne Brown John, Ingrid Maxwell, Annette Knot, Sharon Obrien, and Naasira Mohammed just to name a few.”
- What were some of the things that you enjoyed doing during the Covid19 quarantine stay-at-home periods?
“Unfortunately I was one of many locked outside the closed borders of Trinidad and Tobago for seven months. However, the downtime gave me an opportunity to practice humility and gratitude with all the changes that the world was experiencing. Also, I got to learn new recipes like khurma, banana bread, pizza, etc. I even mastered doing my own poly gel manicures.”
