Nurse on the Right Path

By Morissa Lindsay

The Barbados Youth Advance Corps (BYAC) is highly touted as a saviour for one of Barbados’ most talented junior road tennis players, Shakeem Nurse, who now has a second chance of being a model citizen after seemingly heading down the wrong path. 

Nurse, who continues to make his mark on the local road tennis scene, said he is grateful for the aid of some influential members of this society who believed in him and steered him into the BYAC programme where he now has a second chance at redemption. 

“It is a good programme to join once you listen, be obedient, have respect and do the training. In the mornings I have to wake early, eat breakfast quickly and get my day started because it is all about discipline, but it is also a fun programme,” Nurse explained. 

During an interview with Barbados TODAY while in Dover, Christ Church, Nurse, who hails from Military Road in Bush Hall, St. Michael credited the programme held bi-annually under the Division of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment for teaching several disciplines. Among those are sports and physical fitness, academics, first aid and cultural arts, among other skills. 

This would make it three weeks since Nurse has joined the BYAC based at the Netball Stadium in Waterford and while he still has some time left to complete this comprehensive programme, which over the years has positively changed and meaningfully impacted the lives of young Barbadian men and women, Nurse has a few plans of his own. 

“When I am finished here, I want to write some CXC (Caribbean Examination Council) proficiency examinations, learn how to tile and do masonry and hopefully I might join the Barbados Coast Guard,” he stated.

Nurse was among the fifth cohort of BYAC trainees that arrived on November 13th at the BYAC headquarters at 33 Warrens Industrial Park, St. Michael to begin the two-year programme under the leadership of Director Hally Haynes. 

While his time is now vested in BYAC and he is unable to train as much as he would like because of his hectic schedule, Nurse noted that he has not lost his touch and still has his sights set on being Barbados’ number one road tennis champion someday. 

The 17-year-old who continues to hold his own and is referred to as the crowned prince of road tennis in Barbados came runners-up in the Barbados Road Tennis Open Championship held in August where he was outclassed only by the reigning number one men’s champion, Mark ‘Venom’ Griffith. 

Even though he is enrolled in the BYAC programme, Nurse has been afforded the opportunity to play in the inaugural Zeemoney Road Tennis Tournament, which is a collaboration between the National Sports Council, Barbados Road Tennis Association and the Division of Youth Affairs. 

Additionally, the NSC has been praised for playing its part in ensuring that recruits like Nurse have the opportunity to further their skills by marking three courts and providing nets to assist in the physical education programme. 

The ongoing Zeemoney tournament caters to youths ages ten to 15 and 16 to 21, and the beauty about it is that Nurse was also able to encourage and persuade a couple of his BYAC peers to participate. He also hopes to be a positive influence on other young players, including his younger brother Raheem Nurse who also plays road tennis and is an exciting upcoming talent to watch. 

It is no surprise that Nurse has such a love for the sport of road tennis. He admitted that his passion stemmed from watching his father, Michael Blackman, play as well as his older brother Akeem Nurse and therefore he hopes to carry on the family legacy while bettering himself as an individual. 

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb