Department of Sports HWM - Have Your Say Series #ACCELERATEACTION!

Number #31 in the series is Hannah

Hannah Whitfield: Netballer

Hannah is a Physical Therapist

Rising Starts Netball Adult A Team Player

Selected as Player of the Match twice this season

Quote: “Women in sport embody resilience and power- defying limits, shattering expectations, and inspiring generations to come.” #AccelerateAction!

Number #32 in the series is Cara

Cara Linwood; Basketball Advocate

Former National Basketball Player

Co-Founder, Women of Valor Basketball Club

Coach – Women of Valor Basketball Club

Quote: “The only thing worse than being born blind, is to have sight but still lack vision.  The people who are leaders today are those who have a vision, pursue it, and help others to do the same.” #AccelerateAction!

Number #33 in the series is Mercedes

Mercedes Foy: CFU

Former England National Rugby Player

Female Rugby Manager

Cayman Rugby Football Union

Cayman rugby is committed to #Accelerating Action for gender equality in 2025.

We are elevating opportunities for girls & women to get involved with rugby.

Quote: “We are offering a fully inclusive, barrier breaking program so that EVERYONE can achieve success, both on and off the rugby field.”  #Accelerate Action!

Number #34 in the series is Sierrah

Sierrah Broadbelt: National Swimmer

Represented Cayman at:

Carifta Championships, 3 times.

CCCAN Championships

Commonwealth Games

Pan Am Games

Youth Commonwealth Games

Total Medals for Cayman: 31

Quote: “My goal on this sporting journey is to inspire all young women to dream big! We are the future and greatness is ours to achieve!” #Accelerate Action!

Number #35 in the series is Rose

Rose Wilson: National Netballer

Rising Stars Netball Club Player

Youth Development Coach-I Cayman Islands Netball Association.

C.I National Netball Player

65 International Caps

Represented the Cayman Islands

2009 - Jamaica (MVP) U-16 Jean Pierre Youth Tournament

2010 - Barbados U-16 Jean Pierre Youth Tournament

2012 - Glasgow, Scotland - U-21 World Youth Netball Championships

2014 - Calgary, Canada AFNA Championships Senior National Squad

2018 - Vancouver, Canada Test Series (Ranking)

2019 - Isle of Man, Europe Netball Open Challenge

2019 - St. Marten, Battle of the Saints Championships

2022 - Jamaica (Team V-Captain) Netball World Cup Qualifiers

2023 - Dominica U-16 Jean Pierre Youth Tournament - (Assistant Coach)

2023 - El Salvador, CAC (Central Americas & Caribbean) Games (Team Captain)

2023 - Antigua, ECCB Eastern Caribbean Netball tournament (Ranking)

2024 - Guadeloupe, C.I U-21 National Team Head Coach

2025 - CINA Youth Development Coach-I

Quote: “Champion building a future of equality: women inspiring the next generation to #AccelerateAction!”

Number #36 in the series is Jillian

Jillian Crooks: National Swim Athlete

Jillian Crooks is a girl who loves to swim, dance, and sing.

Cayman Islands Olympian (Swimming) - 2020-2021-Tokyo, Japan and 2024, Paris, France

2024 NCAA Qualifier - University of Tennessee (Student)

Multi-Medalist – 2018, 2022, 2023, & 2024 CARIFTA Swimming Championships, Jamaica and Barbados

Multi-Medalist – 2018 CCCAN Swimming Championships, Aruba

Multi-Medalist - 2019 Island Games, Gibraltar

Multi-Medalist – 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games, Trinidad

Multiple Event Qualifier and Personal Best Times – 2024 World Aquatics Short Course Championships (SCM), Budapest, Hungary| 2024 World Aquatics Long Course (LCM) Championships (LCM), Doha Qatar| 2023 World Aquatics Long Course (LCM) Championships (LCM), Fukuoka, Japan| 2022 FINA World Short Course (SCM) Championships, Melbourne, Australia| 2022 FINA World Long Course (LCM) Championships, Budapest, Hungary

Qualifier – JUL-AUG 2025, World Aquatics Long Course Championships (LCM), Singapore

2023 Outstanding Female-Age Group 15-16 SWIMMER AWARD - NORTH CAROLINA SWIMMING

SWIMMER OF THE YEAR AWARD-Female-Age Group 17-18 - NORTH CAROLINA SWIMMING

Several CIASA and National records

Proverbs 31:25 – “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”

Quote: “As we celebrate Women’s Month, I want to express my appreciation to all the women around me who have done so much to support me on this journey called life. I have learned to be brave and to stand in faith from those among us who were fearless in the face of adversity, challenges, failures, and setbacks.” --- Jillian Crooks #Accelerate Action!