Karen Rosen Baugh appears set to take over the leadership of Netball Jamaica, as current president Tricia Robinson confirmed that she will not seek re-election.
Robinson, who has served at the helm for five years, will step aside at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) next month.
“It’s good to have term limits in anything you do, and it’s good to have fresh ideas around the table. Come the end of February, the new administration will benefit from that,” Robinson told RJR Sports.
Robinson’s tenure saw its share of challenges, including delays to fresh elections caused by incomplete audited financial statements. However, she assured that the financials are now with auditors and are expected to be finalized by month’s end.
“It’s unfortunate that we have not been able to present our audited financials. We do have them, but they are now with our auditors. We are expecting that we will have those in before the end of the month so we can have our AGM round about the last Saturday in February,” Robinson explained.
With Robinson’s departure, the race is on for new candidates to step forward and become the 12th president of the organization.
Karen Rosen Baugh, who has served as Netball Jamaica’s director of marketing and sponsorship since 2021, is widely seen as the frontrunner after she confirmed her candidacy late last year.
Baugh’s potential presidency comes at a time when the local governing body is poised to build on its foundation and strengthen support for the Sunshine Girls.
“We have a solid foundation, and I believe that any president that comes in gets the opportunity to make the sport a better one,” Robinson remarked.
“Come the end of February, the new administration will have the opportunity, given the support and resources from corporate Jamaica, to make the sport better for the Sunshine Girls,” she added.
Reflecting on her tenure, Robinson acknowledged the ups and downs of leadership but expressed gratitude for her team and the lessons learned.
“Life is not a bed of roses, but I am happy for the team that I had around me. We pulled together. We had our differences at times, but it has been an interesting journey with significant lessons that have made me a better person,” she said.