LIKE MANY SUCCESSFUL SPORTSPEOPLE, hockey player Shakira Oxley is grateful for the opportunities provided by her chosen sport.
And because of this, she is eager to pass on her knowledge to other young people so that they too can reap the benefits.
Shakira, 20, has been playing with the Empire Sports Club since she was in Class 3 at Charles F. Broome Primary School.
Now the captain of the club’s first division team, she is studying physical education at Barbados Community College in the hope of becoming a physical education teacher.
The outspoken young woman who loves interacting with others has taken to captaincy, describing it as “easy” and enjoyable, even though she has only been in the position for a few months.
Shakira told the SUNDAY SUN that hockey had been a major part of her life.
Having served on both junior and senior national teams, she said it had afforded her the opportunity to visit countries she might never have seen otherwise.
“I was 17 when I made the junior team and I made the seniors’ team at the age of 18.
“It was a scary experience because I was the youngest, but it was also a terrific experience.
“I got to see what the sport is like internationally and getting to see new countries was also a good experience for me,” she said, adding that it was “awesome” to represent Barbados.
Shakira’s first trip was to Mexico for the 2008 Pan American Junior Women’s Hockey Championship and she also attended the 2010 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Puerto Rico where Barbados secured a bronze medal.
Apart from teaching, Shakira also wants to be trained in another area closely related to sports – massage.
“That is my next step after becoming a PE teacher.”
In addition to training and studying, Shakira also works in a retail outlet. Asked how she was balancing all these activities along with her love for socializing, she said it was all about time management.
“All of them are beneficial to me so I see it as a must,” she said.
The former Springer Memorial Secondary School student also thinks sports can help keep young people away from destructive behaviour.
“Sport can keep young people out of trouble. That is one of the main things it can do.
“However, it can also help open their minds to different activities.
“It can take you places and help you with your education,” she said.
With this is mind, Shakira is committed to sharing her passion with others so that not only individuals but communities and the country as a whole can benefit.
