The Bermuda National Athletics Association president has been appointed as a member of the World Athletics Development Commission.

Donna Raynor beat out more than 150 applicants for the position, which will involve advising how to increase participation levels from grass roots to elite, monitoring and evaluating programmes and activities delivered by or on behalf of World Athletics and the promotion and protection of the values of athletics.

Ms Raynor said: “This is exciting and a great step for little Bermuda being appointed to the World Athletics Commission.

“On each commission we have three persons from our region representing. This shows that they appreciating and respecting how we are running the sport of athletics in Bermuda.”

Ms Raynor explained the selection process started last October after she applied for positions on three commissions — competition, development and governance — and was endorsed by Mia Bean, a member of the BNAA board.

Ms Raynor said: “I felt my area of expertise was more suitable to the Development Commission. I was so pleased and excited when I received the e-mail on March 16 stating that I was successful in my application.

She added that preparation for the Carifta Games, scheduled for Bermuda next month but now postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, had “kind of took my mind off my application for this commission”.

Ms Raynor said: “I am sure once we get through this Covid-19, the roles, responsibilities, projects and meeting dates will be finalised and confirmed.”

She added she had already been vetted by World Athletics after an unsuccessful application for a position on its council last September.

Ms Raynor said: “We were advised that the final composition of the commission nominations must ensure a balance across area associations and a minimum participation of 30 per cent from each gender.”

She added she had got a congratulations message from Lord Coe, the president of World Athletics.

Sebastian Coe is a former British track and field Olympic gold medal-winner.

Lord Coe wrote: “We know you will add considerable value and insight to the commission over this period and look forward to your input and contributions as we collectively aim to further grow and develop the sport.”