Former national footballer now assistant sports director
(CNS): The Ministry of Sports has appointed Emily Kelly, a former Cayman National U20 footballer, as the Assistant Director of Sports – Programmes at the Department of Sports. This is the first job back at home for the young Caymanian, who was previously working as the director of Student-Athlete Development at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
She will now oversee 20 coaches and sports coordinators, supporting them in delivering community programmes, camps, workshops, recreational leagues and events, along with school coaching sessions.
She will also help to develop and maintain strong working relationships with local sports associations and organisations to increase collaborative efforts, and devise methods of assessing and evaluating programmes to maximise the department’s potential.
“I’m thrilled to join the Department of Sports and work alongside so many individuals who are passionate about our islands’ sports engagement, and empowered me when I was a young athlete,” she said. “The opportunity to contribute to building a more collaborative culture to enhance the development of young Caymanians in sports, both as athletes and those who aspire to work in the industry, energises me greatly. I’m eager to help elevate the sports landscape across our islands, and feel very grateful to be in a position to do so.”
Kelly first attended the University of Richmond, where she got her first coaching job before taking the master’s programme at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Center for Sports Leadership. Its curriculum sparked her interest in the administrative side of college athletics, allowing her to support student-athletes with a more holistic approach to athlete development. Kelly then secured an administrative role as the LEADS Programme Coordinator at Amherst College, Amherst, MA.
Sports Director Kurt Hyde said he was pleased to welcome Kelly to the team. “Her skills, experience and drive are going to greatly enhance our community programmes, and assist in ongoing talent identification and development,” he added.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Category: Government Administration, Local News, Politics, Sports
Just goes to show there are suitable accomplished Caymanians out there that can do the job. We do not need to hire idiots or expats.
Big congrats!!!
Congrats young lady! I’m sure you’ll infuse much needed progress into our sports communities. Just be careful of those pesky ministers who will believe you are “THEIR assistant sports director”.
Feel the Bern!
A young, ambitious Caymanian with solid credentials and a worldly outlook will have a positive impact on the civil service and our community. Congratulations Emily!
Congratulations! I am really impressed by your declaration that you are thrilled at “The opportunity to contribute to building a more COLLABORATIVE CULTURE (caps mine) to enhance the development of young Caymanians in sports…”
Congratulations. I absolutely LOVE seeing/reading these types of articles; warms my heart. All the best in your new role.
I don’t know the young lady but reading her credentials, make her seem like a suitable candidate for the job, and for people giving her thumbs down, I always like to think there’s hope but I’m not sure it’s any hope for these people
Congratulations Emily! Perfect candidate for the job. I wish you well in this position!
Congrats! so many outstanding Caymanians are joining our civil service.
Seems like an excellent choice.
LOVE seeing this! Congrats to Emily!!!!