August 16th, 2018 -- Sports and Neville Weekes go together! He was a fixture to soccer and cricket during the 70’s and 80’s in Sandy Point. Beyond being a player, Neville was a true leader. As player and captain, he brought a lot of enthusiasm to every game and played to win. While we recognize him at this moment for his many achievements in sports, we salute the fact that he was an educator for 47 years in three different countries! He lived as he played as true all-rounder!
Sandy Point has produced many outstanding sports men and educators. One of these is Neville ‘Manny’ Weekes, who displays Sandy Point pride at all times. After graduating from Sandy Point High School he taught at Verchild’s School, St. Paul’s School and Convent High School, from 1968-1995. He then migrated to the United States Virgin Islands (UVI), where he attended the University of the Virgin Islands and graduated with a B.A. Degree in English, (Magna Cum Laude) and an M. A. in Education Administration. Neville then taught at the Charlotte Amalie High School until 1999, and also worked as an Adjunct Professor at UVI. After moving to New York, he continued as an educator teaching English and Caribbean Literature, at East New York High School of Transit Technology, until he erased the chalk board for the last time and logged off his New York City Department of Education computer for the final time. In 2014, Mr. Weekes ended a successful and rewarding forty-seven year educational career.
Neville always believed that there is a strong correlation between education and sports. At an early age, he became involved in sports. He is a very versatile sports man who excelled in cricket and football, in which he represented Sandy Point, while still at school. His outstanding performances, as an all rounder, and his astute and tactful captaincy led Sandy Point to seven consecutive national cricket championships. Neville represented a St. Kitts/Nevis team against an Australian B team in1969, and then went on to represent the St. Kitts National Team in the early seventies, in the then Leeward Islands tournament. He also represented the St. Thomas cricket team in the mid 1980’s. In addition to his cricket prowess, ‘Manny’ was also known as a very talented and highly competent goal keeper. In the 1972 football season, he played for his beloved Crab Hill United in both the League and Knockout competitions, without conceding a goal, a feat that has not been replicated.
After his playing days, Neville still remains an integral part of the Sandy Point ‘sports scape’. He served as coach in football, netball and volleyball. He was also a football referee and cricket umpire. Upon moving to St. Thomas, he played tennis, while continuing playing cricket and later served as selector, coach, umpire and soccer referee. He was also coach of both UVI cricket and soccer teams. Neville’s final foray into sports was as a radio cricket commentator for the USVI Cricket Association. ‘Manny’ still enjoys sports but now as an “arm-chair quarterback” and as a spectator.
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