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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
In light of his 16th Anniversary of Pastoral Ministry, Bahamas Athletics interviewed the “Father Figure of Moore’s Island,” the Reverend Anthony Williams who also wears the title “Coach”.. A proud alumni of Hawksbill High in Freeport, GB, Coach Williams returned to his homeland of Moore’s Island, Abaco in 1994 to begin his evangelical ministry. On a small island inhabited by less than 1,000 people, this ministry, which is inspired by and driven by youth, reaches over a hundred young persons on a consistent basis. Many of these young adults do not have a father figure in their lives and Coach Williams steps in to assist them.
Having one child of his own and with limited financial support, Coach Williams fosters and raises a brotherhood of 16 young athletes from across the archipelago, whom he trains diligently and loves as his own. His hands-on coaching approach has shown to be very effective in producing stellar athletic performance in young men. Their attitudes and demeanor reflect the positive disciplinarian figure the young men now have in their lives.
With assistance from the Ministry of Urban Development and the Department of Social Services, Coach Williams is excited about future opportunities to serve, raise and coach more young men whom he can call ‘sons’. Williams agrees that Moore’s Island is currently in need of a “wake up call”. He states that his ministry is much needed on the island as many of the persons are spiritually “laid back”.
Coach Williams is dedicated to molding each of these young men as his own and will never give up on them. In fact, he told Bahamas Athletics that the males who pass through his hands will become Men of Society, rather than "menaces to society." This desire fuels his passion to continuously pour out his own finances (He only receives a donation of only $150 per month from each athlete in his home.), his time and his heart to the young men. He even remarked that he often spends late hours and precious sleeping time, counseling the young men, encouraging them and giving them advice – something that many fathers are not willing to do.
Desiring not to build an empire but to build a nation, Williams’ team of athletes is steadily growing. In fact, a few females have recently been added to the team and he expects to send a team of both 4x100m and 4x400m female runners to Nassau, the Capital City, for various meets throughout the upcoming Track & Field season.
Earning the unofficial title of “The Relay Community”, Coach Williams and his team have earned quite a name for themselves within the past few years despite many obstacles. The relentless coaching of Williams has been quite evident. Earlier this year, his team ranked number 7 out of over 800 clubs in relay events. It has even been said that when the Moore’s Island Exterminators are in town, the other teams "cower in fear."
Marking the epitome of humanitarianism, Coach Williams is truly a relief for Moore’s Island. His kind acts and his heart for the people do not go unnoted. He has been successful in taking track and field sports in Moore’s Island to the next level and is an inspiration to many other coaches who also play the role of “father figure” to their athletes.
Bahamas athletics salutes Coach Williams for his charitable work in the community. We commend his diligence and his determination in creating a better and stronger Bahamas. We also congratulate him on the honor of advancing to 16 years of pastoral ministry in Moore’s Island and wish him success for he and his large household going forward.
Before he left us, Coach Williams extended thanks to his loving wife, Vera Williams, for being his constant support and for helping him to raise his adopted children. He also thanked his Soul Seekers Ministry church family and also provided a special thanks to his Assistant Coach Nick Dean who has been faithful in seeking the team’s best interest and financially funding their endeavors.
For the
video documentary click HERE.
Should you wish to support and contribute to Coach Williams and his ministry, you may contact him at 242 551 4940.
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