Freddie Evans, the new president of the Bermuda National Athletics Association, has announced the roles of the newly elected directors, with Allison Outerbridge, a former jumps specialist, taking over as vice-president.

Outerbridge, who will also have public relations responsibilities, replaces Mia Bean, who served under Donna Raynor, the former president, who stepped down last week. Bean is the new general secretary while Raynor will assist with the transition to the new president as the immediate past president.

“I had the benefit of being on Donna’s team for 12 years and Donna lends a wealth of experience and can help to guide me in navigating those political waters when it comes to World Athletics and the Nacac region, and even the political waters here,” Evans said yesterday.

“To have her to guide us through the transition and be a support is a benefit for the organisation and athletics overall.”

Evans, who is employed at the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation, has chosen Vanessa Turner to be a parental liaison as well as the liaison officer on government matters.

“I find Mrs Turner to be a very astute individual who will help us in two ways; most importantly she is a parent of a young athlete and we have tasked her with being the parental liaison,” said the president.

“A lot of times just by the work being done, we’re not listening to those at the grass roots, so Vanessa will be the one to ensure that parental voices are heard around the table.

“Professionally, because I do work in the Department of Youth and Sport, we have created a wall, if you will, so that I’m not involved with interacting with the Ministry of Youth and Sport directly.

“The main contact for anything to do with YSR will be Mrs Turner. For good governance and transparency, we want to ensure that everybody is on the same page with that. At the board level she’ll report back what we need to do or what the outcomes are.”

Terry-Lynn Paynter, another former athlete and now a throwing coach, will be the coaches’ liaison in the new board. “Terry is a go-getter, a driving force in ensuring that we are developing athletes and is very, very athletes-centred,” Evans said of Paynter.

“What’s best for the athletes is always what she’s pushing for, so to have her as the liaison for all the coaches is to ensure that we are understanding the coaches needs and messages and delivering on them is going to be a benefit for everyone involved.”

Other key appointments include Jarita Vickers as treasurer and Mia Bean as general secretary who will liaise with the Bermuda Olympic Association.

“Jarita is a former athlete who works at Deloitte and acted as the treasurer in the past administration when she stepped in to volunteer,” Evans said.

“This time she’s been elected and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Also my observation over the year is Jarita has a keen eye for being fiscally responsible.

“That’s the strength of an organisation, if you can’t manage the money you are setting yourself up for failure. We have someone who has that profession acumen to ensure that we are on the right track.”

The president added: “General secretary is a role I filled previously and through World Athletics and Nacac, the leadership areas of a local organising committee that they recognise are the president and general secretary.

“Mia Bean, who learnt all the ropes in the role as vice-president is now ready to step up and assume some of those international responsibilities as well as being the contact liaison for our Bermuda Olympic Association.”

Evans is confident Outerbridge will adjust well to her new role as vice president of the association. “She was a little apprehensive but is not afraid to learn,” he said. “There is a humble spirit there.

“We see the vice-president’s role as a chance to be second to the president but primarily a chance to learn all the ropes of the association.

“In order to have sustainability and a forward going process, we think it is important for the youngest member of our team to be involved in all of that. With her enthusiasm we have also asked her to step into the role of public relations.

“We want to ensure that the focus is on the strength of the team and not on one individual.”