2012 Honorees pose with Atlantis' men and women cricketers.
Power Supersedes Superstorm Sandy
Despite several households in the New York metropolitan area going without power in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, the Atlantis Cricket Club’s annual awards dinner was electrifying with the powerful presence of former Trinidad & Tobago and West Indies women’s cricket captain, and now assistant women’s cricket coach Stephanie Judith Power.
Atlantis President Steve Welcome presents plaque to Stephanie Power.
As energetic, but far less destructive than the hurricane that swept through the New York metropolitan area, Stephanie Power arrived amidst the height of the hurricane that claimed over 100 lives and left miles and miles of US coastal destruction. However, with a disarming smile and a genuine humility reserved for deity, Ms. Power was an illuminating presence at the Atlantis Cricket Club – NY 46th anniversary awards dinner held recently at the Adria Hotel & Conference Center in Bayside, NY.
Despite the unprecedented storm hitting new York and leaving many without lights, gasoline shortages and a disrupted transportation system, Atlantis, nonetheless forged ahead to honor the Laventille, Trinidad born right-hand batswoman and wicketkeeper, making her an honorary member of the New York based club, and joining such legends as fellow Trinidadian Gus Logie, Clive Lloyd, Lance Gibbs, Andy Roberts, Curtly Ambrose, Alvin Kallicharran, and others. Ms. Power is the first woman to be so honored by the club. She has represented the West Indies in one Test match vs. Pakistan in 2004 and 34 One Day Internationals. She made her ODI debut against the Australia women in 1993 in England. Ms. Power led the West Indies Women’s XI in three ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups (1993, 1997 and 2005), and was appointed assistant coach of the West Indies women’s team in 2009.
Stephanie Power presents Atlantis 2012 MVP Nicholas Standford with award, while EVP Herbert Newton applauds at left.
Ms. Power retired from international cricket after the 2005 Women’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa, retiring as the Trinidad & Tobago women’s captain a year later. A certified Level II coach, she is qualified to train Level I and Level II coaches. A Steelband Panorama adjudicator for the past 14 years, she is the only female cricket trainer/tutor in the Americas region of the ICC. She has done cricket coaching stints for players and coaches seeking certification in Barbados and the USA. At the time of Ms. Power’s retirement from cricket, Rachael Thompson-King of the Trinidad Guardian said, “Power retires a satisfied woman, ending her career at the top of her game, leading the ‘Calypso Girls’ (T&T’s national women’s team…”
Trinidad & Tobago’s Ambassador to the USA and that country’s Permanent representative to the Organization of American States Dr. Neil Parsan, in a message said, “It gives me great pleasure to extend heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to Ms. Stephanie Power on receiving honorary membership to the prestigious Atlantis Cricket Club of New York.
Ms. Power’s tireless commitment to the sport of cricket is undeniable and indeed commendable. She has consistently worked for the development of cricket in the Caribbean and in particular, has worked to improve women’s cricket not only in Trinidad and Tobago, but throughout the region as well.”
Atlantis honoree Dr. Glendon Archer addresses dinner guests, while club president Steve Welcome looks on approvingly.
Ms. Power has been a public school teacher in Trinidad for the past 36 years, and except for taking a three-year hiatus from cricket after giving birth to her son Stephan in 1986, she has continued to maintain her connection with the development of cricket in the Caribbean, and particularly with regard to women’s cricket. In acknowledging the honor bestowed upon her, Coach Steph as she is familiarly called said how surprised she was when she was told of the award. “I was in Sri Lanka when I learned of the award and it brought tears to my eyes, especially to be lauded among such cricketing greats, including Clive Lloyd, Lance Gibbs, and Gus Logie. I want to thank Atlantis and all my cricketing friends in New York.”
There were a significant number of US national players in attendance at the dinner to help Coach Steph celebrate her award. Among those were former US women’s captain Doris Francis, Joan Alexander-Serrano, Samantha Ramautar, Karen Bayles, Melissa Sandy, Joy Jones and several local female players.
Although the night belonged to Stephanie Judith Power and the ladies, Atlantis took time out to also honor a former player and now benefactor of the club Dr. Glendon F. Archer, CEO of Metallica Commodities Corporation.
Stephanie Power presents Most Promising Player award to young Clifford Hamilton.
Mr. Archer is a former medium pace bowler and middle-order batsman who has been a member of the club for more than 20 years. Now a very successful businessman, he spoke of reaching back to help the less fortunate, remarking that he found such a vehicle in Atlantis; his “Country Club”.
Mr. Archer has served in several capacities including President, on Atlantis’ Executive Board over the years, and during his remarks to the dinner guests, quipped, “I know why the club has decided to make me an honorary member. They obviously wanted to retire me from the game.” Metallica is a global commodities company headquartered in White Plains, NY and doing business on five continents.
2012 Outstanding Performances
As is customary, Atlantis also used the anniversary celebration to acknowledge the outstanding performances of its players during the just concluded season. The following players received awards, as listed.
Nicholas Standford, recently selected to play for the US vs. Canada in the Annual Auty Cup this year in Florida, took home several batting honors and the 2012 MVP award.
Ladies Night: (From left - D. Francis, O. Charles, M. Sandy, Stephanie Power, J. Jones, K. Bayles, J. Alexander-Serrano and S. Ramautar.
Most Valuable Player – Nicholas Standford,
Most Promising Player – Clifford Hamilton,
Highest Batting Aggregate – Nicholas Standford – 699 Runs,
Best Batting Average – Nicholas Standford – 58.25 Runs per inning
Highest Score in a Single Match – Nicholas Standford – 201 Not Out
Most Wickets – Prashanth Nair 21 wickets,
Best Bowling Average – Jermaine Horatio 12.4 runs per wicket
Best Bowling Performance in a Single Match – Prashanth Nair 6 wickets for 18 runs
Five or more Wickets in a Single Match – Prashanth Nair 6/18, Jermaine Horatio 5/16, Alex Amsterdam 5/58
Most Economical Bowling Performance – Keon Lake 3.63 runs per over
Centurion’s Club – Nicholas Standford 201 Not Out, Henderson Blades 145 Not Out, Shawn Mason 116, Steven Jacobs 107 Not Out, Ron Andrews 102 Not Out, and
Most Disciplined Player – Hugh Craig