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And the successful athletes get nothing? July 28, 2006

I read with dismay that Teresa Perozzi is quitting professional boxing due to lack of support and funds. While we have a dismal national cricket team who we threw $11 million dollars towards in order to have possibly the worst cricket match in history, here we have a Bermudian woman, who has practically done everything herself and has risen up to the number 3 ranked spot worldwide and we have shown her no support, aside from her sponsor, Capital-G. So again, lets put this into perspective, a failed team gets $11 million and possibly our Islands best international sports star is struggling for money to support her already successful achievements. Have we completely lost the plot here or what?!?

Does anyone know if Government has allocated any funds towards her, anything at all?

I’m not saying that we don’t focus on cricket anymore, but it is apparent to me that they may need additional training and apparently throwing truck loads of money at them didn’t help in the slightest. I think that $11 Million should have been spread around a bit so that everyone can benefit from it.

I decided to go straight to the source and ask both Dale Butler (Minsiter of Sports) and Jon Brunson (Shadow Minister of Sports). Here’s what I wrote:

    Dear Mr. Butler, and Mr. Brunson
    I read with dismay about Teresa Perozzi quitting boxing after achieving a ranking of number 3 worldwide in woman’s boxing. Here we have a Bermudian who has almost risen to the top in her sport, and is now apparently being forced to quit due to financial constraints. I find this extremely hard to digest in light of the $11 million we have recently thrown towards cricket for an apparent dismal performance.
    Has Government, allocated any funds towards Miss Perozzi in the past to assist her with her training programs? If so, do these funds continue to support her or compensate her for time off work? If not, don’t you think we should consider the limelight she is obviously bringing towards the Island on her own accord?
    Thanks in advance for any response.

For what it’s worth, I’d like to say Congradulations to Teresa Perozzi for all the work and dedication she’s put into her sport, and congradulations for the gold!

Update: The following are the responses to the emails that I recieved:

Dale Butler said:

You need to be made of a few things.

1. Cricket and football are our national sports and as such get consideration if they qualify for international events. What were we to do> Give them 1 million. No in order to get prepared they presented a detailed plan which won awards from the ICC. The only thing they had in there that we took out was a purpose built building. Our hope was that they would have what they needed not only for the team but also for cricket development. While their performance was disappointing we would have been severely chastised for giving them little. Hence we gave them what they said they needed and we want to see better performance but they will NOT be able to say they performed badly because of what they did NOT have.

2. When Teresa became a professional the Bermuda Boxing association was contacted and asked if the Government could be of any assistance and we were told that they could only themselves offer advice, use the protocoals etc for giving matches in Bermuda but because she was a professional could not give money and neither could the Government. Hence no money but we made it clear to her…we took her to lunch and I presented her flowers at the end of her fight at Cedarbridge…we made it clear that we would be there to provide advice…re security and bleachers. She had no problems with that.

3. She is also aware that elsewhere companies get on board like Nike etc. I volunteered my services if she had any such promoter to go to any such presentations. But

4. Right from the start I could tell it was going to be difficult> She was looking for a promoter and a venue for the first fight. Sounds like an ideal job for you or others who are concerned . We lack such people in Bermuda. So the end was inevitable because normally in the states a promoter with experience would come forward and she would also have a person looking for endorsements. So there is nothing much we can do with professionals.

5. We hope to develop admiralty house into a National gym because we have been unable to find anything else that is central. While it has its limitations all trainers have agree and we are waiting in line to get specifications for repairs and also a contractor. It is taking too long but there is nothing we can do.

Thanks for you comments. I hope I have bene able to clarify things.

There is room for improvement for amateur athletes to get funding through the elite athlete fund and there are issues with some National sports Governing Bodies who continue to come in at the wrong time or not at all. After the Olympics they were all asked for a budget and plan to prepare for 2008 Olympic. After 2 years there have been 2 responses. Not a happy situation. But as we get closer to 2008 we will hear a huge cry that they lack support. Why didn’t they respond in 2004, 05, or 06.

Unfortunately no matter how many times we tell the public of the issues it does not register. Neither does the public hear the numerous dollars we have given to a variety of sports…..above their normal grant

And Jon Brunson said:

Hi Sean,

I agree with you. I find that this a continuing pattern in the way sport is managed here in Bermuda. I also find it particularly difficult for women in general to get the Hype Support and funding.

The current structure for funding utilized by Government provides each National Governing Body, including Boxing, with funding. Unfortunately, the financial support is really nothing in the total scheme of things (I suppose, every little bit helps). The BOA has an elite athletes fund which supports our elite athletes (an issue I have already spoken to Teresa about) but that too is really not an amount that will sustain an athlete, especially a professional. The only other funding option is the private sector. I think the corporate world is overburdened with request for funding from everybody…… and get this ……. even cricket.

I think our outlook, approach, and structure need to be overhauled because it just is not working. This is where I think the Minister should and could lead on the issue. However, in the absence of a clear vision and plan all we are going to get is a knee jerk reaction to sporting demands (some that appear to be totally illogical).

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