Jarita Vickers is the new figurehead of athletics on the island after defeating incumbent president Freddie Evans at the governing body’s annual meeting last night.

The former treasurer ran a successful campaign against Evans, who held the post since September 2021 after the decade-long reign of Donna Watson.

“I am honoured and excited to take on the role of president,” Vickers said in a statement from the Bermuda National Athletics Association.

“I look forward to working with our talented new and returning board members to build on our organisation’s strong foundation, and drive our mission forward.”

Vickers will oversee a new board of directors, which includes for the first time star distance runner Dage Minors, Karen Tucker, Susan Robinson and Ruby James.

The board is completed by Syriah Lottimore, whose position was not up for election this term.

The election follows the departure of Mia Bean, the long-serving general secretary and vice-president, who stepped down after 13 years of service.

“It was a very rewarding experience and I will cherish the connections I made both locally and overseas as a result of it,” Bean told The Royal Gazette.

“The decision to walk away from a sport I am passionate about was not made lightly. However, I believed it was time. Notwithstanding my absence from the board, I will still be available to them for support wherever it is needed.”

Reflecting on her tenure with the organisation, Bean added: “I was a part of several major milestones — the area permit meets under former president Donna Raynor, from whom I gleaned so much knowledge about sports administration. She remained a mentor and support to me even after she left the board.

“I was also a part of the team that hosted the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix and am proud of having completed the development of the safeguarding policy for the federation and will remain the safeguarding officer. Through my journey down the safeguarding path, I was selected to be a part of the North American Central American and Caribbean Safeguarding Task Force.

“In 2023, I was elected to the Bermuda Olympic Association board and serve as the chair of the safeguarding committee and am also a member of the gender diversity and inclusion committee under chair Donna Raynor. So, although I will no longer be on the board for the BNAA, I have not fully walked away from sports administration.”

The governing body was also complimentary towards Evans, particularly for forging several partnerships that assisted with the development of Bermuda’s profile as a destination that could host high-level athletics meets during his tenure.

The BNAA said: “Dr Evans was a great advocate for track and field, and hands over the reins to a group who are committed to further growth of the organisation.”