SEAN NERO
Odell Bacchus, captain of the Harvard Club's Under-17 rugby team and Jerry Legal, who is reputed as being selected for this country's first national rugby team shortly after Independence in 1962, have emerged as the athletes that best epitomise the spirit of the Club for 2014.
For their efforts, they received the newly fashioned Spirit of Harvard Rugby Award at the club's annual awards and dinner held at its Serpentine Road, St Clair, headquarters on Saturday.
Bacchus was bestowed with the junior title, while Legal was the recipient in the senior category. Members of the Harvard rugby section were in a state of euphoria on hearing the announcement.
Meanwhile, the honour roll for the female athletes saw Nia Cumberbatch named the Junior Hockey Player of the Year and national captain Patricia Wright-Alexis, Senior Hockey Player of the Year.
It was now the turn of the hockey players to make their presence felt, with lusty cheers and applause.
On the night when accolades were presented to sportsmen and women in the disciplines of cricket, football and hockey, no one could deny that Bacchus was the toast. And just in case there were guests unsure of this, the members of the club's rugby section, in their rowdy style ensured that no one forgot.
He took home the U-17 award for the Most Valuable and according the Club public relations officer Kabir Hosein, Bacchus was an inspirational youth leader who worked very hard in 2014 and as a direct consequence was reaping rewards for his efforts.
Guests heard about Bacchus's passion and commitment that belied his age.
At age 16, he became a fixture on the national U-20 team playing in this year's North America Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) U20 tournament and went on to tour Canada with a select team last August.
Bacchus was also featured on the club's championship team, and based on his trajectory officials were convinced that he had the mettle to take on a senior leadership role in the not too distant future.
Hosein described Bacchus as an athlete, "who is undoubtedly on his way to becoming one of the best players in the country. However, Odell's commitment to the sport and Harvard does not stop there. Along with many of the other youths he is one the most reliable individuals when it comes to off pitch duties, the likes of helping for fundraisers, venue preparations or any form of work where help is needed. In addition, Odell is ever present at Championship games helping out where needed, be it to play or to hydrate the team. Odell truly embodies the Spirit of Rugby."
Commenting of Legal performance, Hosein said he was now a pillar of Harvard rugby.
He played the entire 2014 season scoring tries, taking out hapless victims who thought he was too old to put in big hits.
Focusing on his nurturing traits, Legal, the audience heard, was always ready to give guidance, advice or just lend an ear to anyone that needed it.
"He continuously works to help people develop their game and is always ready to help wherever he can. His contribution to the Harvard rugby cannot be quantified but we can rest assured that he will continue to be there for us as he definitely is the Spirit of Harvard rugby," Hosein said.
It was an enviable work ethic that propelled Patricia Wright-Alexis to her title.
Her national duties this year, took her to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland; the Central American and Caribbean Games in Mexico and FIH World League. She conducts duties as junior team coaches, too, with the T&T Hockey Board's developmental programme.
In the case of Cumberbatch and apart from being a lady, it was her testament to sportsmanship off and on the field that won her the prize.
Presently in training with the development team, Cumberbatch signified the true meaning of balance between academics and sports successfully.
HONOUR ROLL:
CRICKET
Most Improved: Mickyle Nicholas
Most Discipline: Mickyle Nicholas
Batsman of The Year Reserve Team: Mickyle Nicholas
Bowler of the Year Reserve Team: Stephen Kadoo
Centurion Awardees: Dr. Keagan Jones & Mickyle Nicholas
Batsman of the Year First Team: Dennis Smith
Junior Cricketer of the Year: Mickyle Nicholas
First Team Cricketer of the Year: Dennis Smith
FOOTBALL
Most Discipline Footballer: Juergen Thomas
Most Improved Footballer: Brandon Wilkinson
Most Outstanding Footballer: Nequan Caruth
Footballer of The Year: Tyrell Spooner
HOCKEY
Most Improve U19: Zhara Bruce
Most Discipline U19: Micaiah King
Most Goals U19: Jemima Woodruff
Most Outstanding Player U19: Nia Cumberbatch
Most Improve Trinity Team: Husniyah Hassan
Most Discipline Trinity Team: Jeanette Clarke
Most Outstanding Trinity Team: Sekayi Liburd
Most Improve Championship Team: Jael Thompson
Most Disciplined Championship Team: Petal Derry
Most Goals Championship Team: Fiona Le Blanc
Junior Hockey Player of the Year: Nia Cumberbatch
Senior Hockey Player of the Year: Patricia Wright-Alexis
RUGBY
Under 17 Rookie of the year: Stephen Sylvester
Under 17 Most Disciplined: Odell Bacchus
Under 17 Most Improved: Jabari Sandy
Under 17 Most Valuable Player: Odell Bacchus
Championship Team Rookie of the year: Joel Maisley
Championship Team Most Disciplined: Calon Reid
Championship Team Most Improved: Thabiti Benjamin
Championship Team Most Valuable: Joel Maisley
Spirit of Harvard Rugby Award - Junior: Odell Bacchus
Spirit of Harvard Rugby Award - Senior: Jerry Legal
SPECIAL AWARDS
Table Tennis / Harvard Raqueteers: Johnny Gonzales
The Harvard Steel Orchestra / Harvard Harps: Douglas Redon
Harvard basketball: William Lucas
General Membership: George Sebro?