Youth Leadership in Focus: MJYL's Verne Alexander
April 23, 2021
In recognition of the launch of applications for our new Beyond Sport Youth Advisory Board, we are taking a month-long focus on exceptional young leaders we’ve come to know over the years. Today we feature Verne Alexander - an accomplished netballer, coach and 2018 Michael Johnson Young Leader - who spoke to us about connecting with other young people and what she has learned on her leadership journey.
25-year-old Verne started playing netball in St. Lucia at a young age, going on to great success in the sport. She was Netballer of the Year for her district in 2016 and made the national team for seven consecutive years. She captained the team in 2018 and that same year, was awarded Senior Athlete of the Year and Netballer of the Year in her Club Sports Awards. Her team won the OECS Under-23 netball tournament in 2019, which was her last year playing under 23. She is now a senior national player and a coach for the Government of St. Lucia.
As a youngster growing up in Fond St. Jacque, Verne witnessed high levels of drug use, child abuse and neglect which led her to want to tackle the issue of youth substance abuse in the Caribbean. She felt that sport was a good way to keep youth off the streets and prevent them from following the ‘wrong crowd’.
“Sports means a lot to me. It helped me become who I am today. Netball has helped me a lot not just as an individual, but with my career as a netball coach. I am now employed with the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports as a netball coach and as the Assistant Coach for the two junior National Teams in St Lucia,” she stated.
For Verne, connecting with the young people she coaches and mentors is all about having the right attitude. When facing her challenges, she would often envision herself in somebody else’s shoes, often a coach, and think about what someone she admires would do in a similar situation. She is extremely passionate about leadership and role modelling to both her peers and girls younger than her.
“I believe in having a respectful attitude. Young people respect people who respect them. You have to be an active leader. As a mentor you must be genuinely interested in the people you are mentoring and be trustworthy. I always try my best to keep my mentee's best interests at heart and be honest. I always try to be objective and fair when I'm giving feedback and guidance.”
Her dedication to supporting young people in her community led to her selection as a Michael Johnson Young Leader (MJYL) in 2018 and her being chosen as a Michael Johnson Young Leader World Youth Ambassador afterwards. The program features young people who have faced and overcome adversity, are passionate about sport, and who have demonstrated commitment to their community and strong potential for leadership.
Though typically quiet and reserved, she shined in leading her MJYL sessions and was one of the more vocal coaches. “Being part of the Michael Johnson Young Leaders program helped me become a better and stronger leader. I learnt the “3 C's Theory” - Commitment, Consistency and Confidence - and the “ABC theory” – Always Be Coaching - while at the MJ Performance Center in Texas, which I continue to use today. I am very passionate and love to inspire others.”
Verne says that it was sport that improved her self-confidence, providing her with the energy to overcome the challenges she faces in her life – an outlet she provides to her athletes.
“I was able to start my own project, "Big Sisters in Netball," where I have seven children aged 9-11 years. My project is aimed towards helping the girls with the basics of netball and hosting seminars and workshops to help them with their self-development.” Her senior student athletes each get a little sister in the community netball group, nurturing the young athletes under her guidance and supervision.
And her work is also leading athletes on the community netball team to success. “They had not been engaged in district netball tournaments, but with my assistance and involvement, the community team has now been able to partake in competitions, producing two junior national athletes.”
Not only has she taken ‘Always Be Coaching’ to heart, but she is also always learning and growing. “I think I provide insights to older people because I surround myself with people who are smarter than me. I always recognize success, and pride myself as a risk taker and innovator. I always try to show the way with my behavior.”