Ashley Anguin - Leadership through sports

Joseph Crichton, Youth Focus Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Playing games at the tertiary level is serious business for Ashley Anguin. The 23-year-old is chairman of the Games Committee at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona-Western Jamaica Campus (WJC) in Montego Bay, where she is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in social sciences.

As games committee chairman, her responsibility is to ensure the campus participates in competitions which will assist in sports development and to lobby for equipment, facilities, and sporting gear for students. The responsibilities also include liaising with the WJC Office of Student Services and Development, providing coaches and trainers, and arranging transportation for athletes.

"Honestly, being at the WJC has made a big impact on my life. I am now more outspoken and confident, and I have developed on my entrepreneurship and leadership qualities," Anguin said. "It taught me how to be assertive for the needs of the student body and myself. It has given me the chance to build lasting relationships with the student body."

Extracurricular activities, she said, do not affect her studies, but add to her ability to better manage her time, while making her a well-rounded student.

"I was elated when I got the news I had been elected for the post. From day one, my aim was to make a difference on campus, so I ran for the position and I was successful. I remain focused on ensuring that the campus experiences the change through my election," Anguin told Western Focus.

Anguin says since taking over the reins from her predecessor, she has recognised that students are more appreciative of the campus and are more willing to participate in and support events and assist in implementing new activities.

"I see unity and more patriots at WJC. The student body is much more confident and proud as this is evident in the matches we won this year. The cheerleading squad was extremely impressive at UWI Sports Day and the track and field team has shown much progress," she said.

"The basketball team entered the UWI Intramural Competition for the first time and won their match - not to mention the football team, who also won their match. So I am proud at where we are and where we're going," she added.