Bean: ‘Their Success Has A Domino Effect’
[Written by Stephen Wright]
DeVon Bean, the Bermuda director of athletics, believes Jah-Nhai Perinchief’s medal-winning exploits will inspire the island’s athletes at the 50th Carifta Games in Nassau, Bahamas, next month.
Triple jumper Perinchief was named Male Athlete of the Year at the recent National Sports Awards in recognition of the bronze he won at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the silver he claimed at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association Senior Championships last summer.
As a former Carifta medal winner, seizing silver in the under-18 high jump in Fort-de-France, Martinique, in 2014, Bean believes Perinchief is someone the island’s current crop of hopefuls can identify with.
“Jah-Nhai has again been named the Male Athlete of the Year. He’s sort of our poster boy,” Bean told Bernews.
“He’s a very humble guy. He’s a son of the soil, went to CedarBridge Academy and was part of the Bermuda Pacers Track Club.
“We also have the likes of Dage Minors and Caitlyn Bobb too. Our young athletes have probably seen these guys train at the National Stadium and go off to bigger and better things.
“It becomes innate behaviour, and their success has a domino effect. I think Bermudian athletics is in a good place right now.”
Bermuda won three medals at last year’s Games in Kingston, Jamaica, with Bobb claiming bronze in the under-20 400 metres in her final outing in the region’s most prestigious athletics meet.
The women’s 4×400 teams seized two medals, silver in the under-17 and bronze in the under-20 races.
Although Bean is not putting added pressure on the 31-strong squad to secure medals, he believes they have several athletes capable of reaching the podium.
Included in the travelling party for the Games, running from April 7 to 10, are previous medal winners Shayla Cann and Sanaa Rae Morris [under-20 4x400] and Ellise Dickinson and Jaeda Grant [under-17 4x400].
“I always tell them to go out there, have fun, and remember their childhood days when they used to race in the streets to prove who was the fastest in the neighbourhood,” Bean said.
“We’re looking to win individual medals. It’s always good to bring home some hardware. We have a very competitive squad.”
While Bean admits the intensity of Carifta can catch newcomers by surprise, he has urged Bermuda’s athletes to embrace the “joyous occasion” and soak up the unique atmosphere.
“We have a young squad, a lot of newcomers, a lot of athletes who are competing at Carifta for the second time,” he added. “They should handle the nerves better.
“Carifta is always a joyous occasion, but it can be intimidating competing in front of the host island’s supporters, who always have their unique flavour of celebrations.
“There will be the Junkanoo; there will be pots, pans and whistles. Competing in front of that type of crowd can throw you off.”
Bermuda squad
Under-17 Girls
- Jaeda Grant [1500m, 800m]
- Ellise Dickinson [200m, 400m, 4x400m relay]
- Fenella Wightman [1500m & 3000m]
- Arima Turner [100m, 200m & 4x100m relay]
- Pria Wilson [100m & 4x100m relay]
- Lashee Jones [4x400m relay & 400m]
- J’Naz Richards [4x100 relay]
- Azari Jones [4x400m relay]
- Amaris Munya [4x400m relay]
Under-17 Boys
- Miles Outerbridge [100m, 200m & 4x100m relay]
- Daylen Scott [200m, 400m & 4x100 relay]
- Tajahri Rogers [1500m, 800m, 3000m & 4x100 relay]
- Cameron Adkins [3000m]
- Jake Smith [1500m]
- Kyah Richardson [100m & 4x100 relay]
Under-20 Girls
- Shayla Cann [400m, 800m & 4x400m relay]
- Sanaa Rae Morris [200m, 400m & 4x400m relay]
- I’aura Golding [110m hurdles & 4x400m relay]
- Zenji Washington [100m, 200m & 4x400m relay]
- Kesay Bell [shot & javelin]
Under-20 Boys
- Khazi Sealy [5000m, 1500m & 4x400m relay]
- Sancho Smith [800m & 4x400m relay]
- Jake Brislane [5000m]
- J’Auza James [Octathlon]
- Simeon Hayward [800m & 4x400m relay]
- Denver Tucker [100m & 200m]
- Seer Carey [4x400 relay]
- Razai Garland [Javelin]
- Kallan Richardson
Coaches: Devon Bean, Jerome Richards, Janine Scott and Terrylyn Paynter
Manager: Gerry Swan
Physiotherapist: Norbert Simons
