By FRED STURRUP, NG Associate Editor, frederick@nasguard.com, frobertsturrup@gmail.com

The arm of American Football in the country which deals primarily with the young boys, in Grand Bahama, Abaco and Bimini, for the time being is forging on despite a few hurdles. The structure that LaLisa Anthony, through the National Football League, has brought to the nation is well-rooted and making a significant impact on the national sports landscape, but, there are those who feel threatened by the progress Commissioner Anthony and her GB (Bahamian) colleagues have made. Perhaps, the insecurity is based mostly on the inability of others to do over decades what she has done in less than two years.

She spearheads the Bahamas Youth Football program in Grand Bahama, that has in recent times, expanded in the north to Abaco and Bimini. The youngsters involved are enthusiastic. Parents are delighted over the new sports avenue available for their youthful boys to direct their energies. Also, the comprehensive format of the BYF which mandates that those registered must also carry a respectable grade point average, speaks to the fundamental nature of the BYF.

This is a great vehicle for the youth of The Bahamas, another option to steer them away from idleness and the temptation to engage in non-progressive or even criminal activities. Yet, there are those who for no logical reason feel threatened by Anthony.

What is she? Who is she? What does she want?

Well, she is the individual the NFL counts on heavily to take American football programs into a number of areas within her allocated region (that includes The Bahamas).

LaLisa Anthony understands this football business. She is a single mom whose passion for youth development equals that of any other and surpasses many others. As an extension of the NFL, she makes a great ongoing contribution. The NFL appreciates what she is doing. Many in The Bahamas, especially in the north, are happy with and supportive of what she does.

All she wants is, to do her bit in helping with the quality maturation of the youngsters she has jurisdiction over. There are a few detractors who are not looking at the big picture in this instance. They feel threatened by Anthony's presence, but, she and those who understand the objective and appreciate the strides already made by the BYF are encouraged to forge on. There are lots more rational thinkers who are observing Anthony. They recognize her value and the importance of the BYF. As I wrote in a previous column, I was in Bimini and monitored the BYF clinic here. There was excitement in the air. The participants were enthused. This is a good thing being done.

There is no way for the BYF to dilute the authority of the Commonwealth American Football League which is considered the umbrella group for senior American football in the country, but nobody should fault Anthony and company for concentrating in an area nobody else bothered with in the past. Nobody paid any attention to the very young who aspired to play the game. Some of those involved in the CAFL are acting very much like the dog in the Royal Reader book. While traveling across a bridge over a brook with a bone in his mouth, he glanced down and saw his reflection. Thinking it was another dog with a bone, the dog opened his mouth to get that as well. Of course, his bone dropped. He ended up with nothing. The CAFL would be better off concentrating on its very own program with a view to get better and become more of an attraction each season.

Don't lose focus fellows. Maybe Anthony should emphasize to all who would listen that her interest is in the under-19 category and a Bahamas American Youth Football Federation. It could be that then she would be less threatening.