Herbert (Prince) Martina was elected President of the St. Maarten Basketball Association by default recently after the other candidate dropped out of the running. He replaces Gordon St. Luce, who temporarily stepped into the role in November 2010 when Daniel Berry resigned. Other incoming members of the Board are William York (Vice President, Nyanne Martina (Secretary), Rena Richardson (Treasurer), Eric Van Putten (Public Relations), Alston Lourens (Board Member), Jesus Richardson (Board member), Alex Ferdinand (Board member) and William Barry (Chief Referee).
The new board is currently planning exciting events for this season. Some of the plans include pre-season knock out elimination tournaments, the preparation and hosting of the 2011/2012 basketball season, live internet streaming of select games – for working or out of town supporters, organizing inter-neighborhood basketball games to increase awareness of the game and create more youth and community involvement in the sport, creating family fun days to raise awareness of the outdoor basketball courts and to help our youths and community through the use of basketball, helping to boost athletic moral and restore respect for basketball on St. Maarten, and creating and implementing a plan of action to fill the stands. Some of the ideas for the plan of action are giveaway incentives and half time shows to make games more fun, entertaining and interactive.
The new SBBA board believes that basketball on St. Maarten needs all hands on deck. The general public of St. Maarten and the business community have to realize that this directly affects the youths and their wellbeing. Government cannot be expected to solve all youth related matters therefore the new S.B.B.A. board is looking to everyone to keep basketball alive and to support the efforts of the S.B.B.A. in providing the youths with an opportunity to be involved in sports. The board is counting on businesses and parents to be involved, so if you’d like to assist on any level, please contact the board via email st.maarten.basketball.association@live.com or by calling 5534057 or 5220873.
Supporters come out and cheer on your favorite team let them feel the love and to the players without you there would be no S.B.B.A. It will take everyone working together to make the 2011/2012 season and beyond a success.