Mrs Juliana Luke is the new General Secretary of the BVI Football Association (BVIFA). Photo: Provided

Mr Paul A. Hewlett served a successful interim term as General Secretary of the BVI Football Association. Photo: VINO/File

Hewlett came into the Association and added new dimensions of professionalism and organisation within his 12-month contract, to the BVIFA Office and all the while Mrs Luke was assisting him, learning the ropes, adding her own authority and character to one of the toughest jobs in sport and coming up with systems that will allow the sport to develop and grow.

Mrs Luke, who was confirmed to the post on Monday April 3, 2017 becomes one of only a handful of General Secretaries amongst FIFA Members worldwide and has already begun to ensure the local association is run smoothly and efficiently.

New era

BVIFA President Andy Bickerton was full of praise for the outgoing Hewlett and also looking forward to the new era. “We were fortunate to have the benefit of Mr Hewlett's experience and expertise to upgrade the BVIFA's administration. We are confident that Mrs Luke will continue his work as we strive for excellence in the future.”

Mrs Luke began her interest in Football, over 10 years ago, watching children play the game whilst a teacher at Little Rainbow Primary School over on Virgin Gorda.

She then got more and more involved in helping to organise the sport, as she was actively involved in various committees, including the Virgin Gorda League, the BVIFA Youth Committee and the BVIFA Women’s Committee.

Her Secretarial, organisational skills and ability to interact with people across the communities and territory, proved excellent and the BVIFA soon began to acknowledge that her commitment to enhancing the game was invaluable.

When Mr Paul A. Hewlett took over to hold the reigns, Mrs Luke was the obvious choice to appoint as the Assistant and over the past eight months has more than proven she is ready to take over one of the sport’s top jobs.