Meet STACY-ANN KING, professional athlete and full-time student. A member of the West Indies Women’s Cricket Team, Stacy-Ann is also in her final year at The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Sport Studies with specialisations in Sport Management and Sport for Development.

The delicate act of balancing professional duties and personal development has many challenges, but for Stacy-Ann, the rewards outweigh the sacrifices, as she has seen the fruits of her pursuits. She shares having to make tough decisions as she tries to achieve the balance of her studies and pursuing her passion of cricket. This in itself is no easy feat, but like most professional athletes, Stacy-Ann knows that it takes a strong support system, and a combination of hard work, determination and what she refers to as “bad-mind” to excel in both aspects of her life.

Stacy-Ann also credits the extremely helpful staff and faculty of UTT’s Sport Programmes who are aware of her situation and have made the provisions to accommodate the upward movement in her cricketing career. She was also in high praises of the Programme’s content, which she describes as quite informative and applicable to today’s dynamic world of sport management, her specific area of interest, and a key trait which she believes is needed on and off the cricket field.

With a clear mindset, Stacy-Ann’s focus is on completing her Bachelor’s degree and adhering to the strict training regime set by the West Indies Cricket Board. Seemingly, such a rigid schedule does not often allow for periods of relaxation, but Stacy-Ann has been able to apply the character-building aspects of professional sports to her personal development, as she strives to be a well-rounded individual.

Presently, as an elite athlete Stacy-Ann has the distinct honour of being the first and only female cricketer on UTT Patriots Men’s Cricket Team. She believes this is one of her greatest experiences at UTT, as this has opened the door for other women to follow suit and represent the national University.

Additionally, in the midst of her hectic schedule, Stacy-Ann relishes the opportunity to assist and give back both in terms of her knowledge and time, as for her, this is the true definition of a sportsperson.

Stacy-Ann already has her eyes set on pursuing her Masters degree in Communication in the near future. For her, the combination of her practical experience and theoretical knowledge of sports alongside an in-depth understanding of communication positions her as a powerhouse in the sporting discipline of cricket at all levels.

Despite the many challenges of her journey, Stacy-Ann is filled with a great sense of optimism. She advises those wishing to pursue studies and sport to always be persistent, even in the face of failure, and to fully realise that God is in control of every situation.