Outstanding Women & Girls honoured for Sports Development in Turks & Caicos

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, December 29, 2023 – Seven women were awarded recently for contributions to sports in the Turks and Caicos Islands by the Women In Sports Foundation.

At only 17 years old the star of the night was Eridania Medina Ortiz as the ‘Athlete of the Quarter.’

Eridania is a Goalkeeper who has played for the Turks and Caicos at the national level in international friendlies.  Edriania has spent her life playing sports, she began with football at age 13 and has also played softball for the Champion Cheshire Hall Softball Club.

The first female athlete from the Turks and Caicos to reach the Commonwealth Games, Arleigha Hall, was the other young woman awarded.

Gertrude Forbes, a longtime supporter of the Turks and Caicos Amateur Athletics Association (TCAAA), was also honored at the event.  Known as the ‘mother’ of the athletes, Forbes has consistently self-financed her airfare for regional events, including CARIFTA.  She acts as the unofficial Press Agent to keep the country updated on the athletes.

Cora Gordan was absent from the event but her father and daughter gladly accepted on her behalf; the volunteer Softball coach takes time out of her days to guide the HJ Robinson Softball Team, resulting in the award.

Honoree Jill Swann was recognized for her commitment to teaching swimming to young students as was Honoree Morgan Luker.  Luker was also hailed for her work with swimmers in North Caicos and Grand Turk and her tireless determination in raising funds for them.

Honoree Heather Lightbourne is also a volunteer softball coach.

As an extra, Gertrude Forbes was awarded the best dressed female award, and Zarek Swann, best dressed male.

Speaking to our team, Rita Gardiner, founding member of Women In Sports TCI congratulated all the honorees and expressed thanks to Delthia Russel-Misick, First Lady of the Turks and Caicos Islands and Owner of Russell and Associates as well as Graceway Supermarkets who helped to sponsor the glamourous event.