Deacons Farm district remembers volleyballer Patrick Oxley

On September 20 last year, the Deacons Farm district mourned the loss of skilled volleyballer Patrick Oxley after a brief illness. On Errol Barrow Day, the neighbourhood, which he held dear to his heart, banded together to honour him by remembering what he represented for them with the hosting of a Community Fun Day at the Deacons Farm Hard Court.

The key setter was known for his prowess on the volleyball court as a longstanding member of the formidable Deacons team, and later as a youth coach for both the Springer School and Harrison College. Patrick Oxley’s love of sports ran deeply through his veins and though he was more widely known for his skills on the volleyball court, his passion extended far beyond.

His close friend Michael Fergusson sought to capture the essence of who he was, with the conceptualisation of the event. He told Barbados TODAY, “Patrick was a leader in the community, with youth inside and outside of the community. He recalled, “He was fun-loving and loved sports. All the sports that were played today were the sports that Patrick loved.”

The tribute to Oxley was well supported and there was full participation in the range of games that were on display. The day’s session featured shotgun road tennis, four -a-side football, volleyball, and a hearts tournament. There was an air of friendly rivalry as the teams contested their various disciplines.

Fergusson was assisted in the production of the event by a cadre of professionals who are deeply rooted in Deacons. Among them were businessman Ryan Walters, who contested the last election for the Democratic Labour Party and Bryan Worrell of Colourz Entertainment. Fergusson also extended thanks to Sports Nation, Phoenix Security and Dexter’s Sports Bar,  for their assistance in ensuring that the event was a success.

The competitors put their all into the games.

Ryan Walters noted, “I am happy to be a part of this activity to commemorate Patrick’s contribution to the community. I think the strength of a lot of communities is those persons who stand out and contribute significantly and touch a lot of youth in the community. Patrick was one of those people.” He added, “It’s people like Patrick that hold communities together and I think it is important that we come and support not only today but make it an annual event and make it bigger and better as we go along.”

Bryan Worrell  said, “Patrick was one of my best friends and we grew up and spent most of our time on Deacons Hardcourt playing volleyball, cricket, basketball, road tennis, football and even netball. Deacons is a sporting community and Patrick was at the centre of almost every sport if not as a participant, as a goalkeeper in football or a player /coach  in volleyball, he was an avid supporter of Deacons Basketball. His presence in the Deacons community will be deeply missed by all of us and we hope that there is some way that his memory can be captured.”

For Fergusson, the fun day was a labour of love in memory of his good friend, whom he considered a brother . “I just want to remember him … I don’t want him to be remembered now and then we forget about him.” The organiser is determined to make this an annual event. Once the appropriate permissions are secured, he wishes to commemorate Oxley by having a mural painted at the nearby community centre. He is hopeful that the hardcourt can be renamed after Patrick Oxley to recognise his outstanding contribution to the sporting landscape of the island.  (STT)