ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, October 3rd, 2011 – Government is forging ahead with its plans to officially name the softball field on Nibbs Estate in Sea Cows Bay the ‘Roger Hodge Park’ in a ceremony on Monday, October 31 at 4:00p.m.
The naming of the facility was approved by Cabinet on September 7, 2011.The new name is in memory of the late Roger Hodge, a Virgin Islander who made the Sea Cows Bay softball field his sports clinic to teach and train youth in the community to excel in the sport.
Chairman of the committee to name the Roger Hodge Park Mr. Julian Willock told the Department of Information and Public Relations, “Mr. Hodge had a passion for softball and demonstrated commitment to the sport by training others as well as representing the Territory locally, regionally and internationally.”
Mr. Willock praised the vision of the Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Julian Fraser, RA and Cabinet for recognising the contributions of Mr. Hodge towards the development and popularity of softball in the community and Territory.
“This is the first time in the history of the Virgin Islands that any site would be named in honour of a young person,” Mr. Willock said, adding that Mr. Hodge had the personal vision of being a professional player.
Mr. Willock further commented that Mr. Hodge, a sport enthusiast, no doubt would have taken softball to a different level where more teams would have been coming from the Sea Cows Bay community.
The public is invited to be a part of this historic celebration which will include remarks from Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE, Minister for Sports Honourable Andrew Fahie and Third District Representative Honourable Julian Fraser, RA. There will also be musical renditions, presentations by students and a monument depicting Mr. Hodge will be unveiled.
Mr. Hodge, who came from a line of renowned softball players, was born on March 8, 1972 to Alphonso and Cecilia Hodge of Sea Cows Bay. He was one of three the employees from the BVI Electricity Corporation who died on April 6, 2004 in a fatal accident on the Haver's Public Road.
The committee to name the Sea Cows Bay softball field is comprised of representatives from the Premier’s Office, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Department of Culture, BVI Horse Owners Association, Preservation of Name of Places Committee, Department of Information and Public Relations, and several local historians.
The naming of the softball facility represents the ongoing commitment of Government to honour and pay tribute to those who have contributed significantly to the overall development of the Territory and who have left a legacy of which Virgin Islanders can be proud.
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