A petition is calling for Anguilla’s upcoming track and field facility to be named after Trevor ‘Ras Bucket’ Davis to recognise his contribution to athletics.
Started by author and educator Rennetta Lewis Christian on 15 October, the petition has so far attracted 316 signatures calling on the government to honour the former international athlete.
Christian wrote: “As someone born and raised in Anguilla, I, like many others, knew Trevor ‘Ras Bucket’ Davis’ face before I came to know him personally.
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“Through physical education classes, school sports and community events, he became a familiar presence across the island.
“His teaching reached generations within families. Children and parents alike know and respect his enthusiasm, his knowledge of athletics and his willingness to give his time.”
A lifetime of achievement
Davis represented Anguilla at the World Athletics Championships in Helsinki, Finland, in 1983, Tokyo, Japan, in 1991, and Stuttgart, Germany, in 1993.
He also competed at the 1987 World Indoor Championships in Indianapolis, United States, where his 60-metre time of 7.21 seconds was recorded as an Anguillian national record.
Retirement from competitive athletics did not end his service. Davis continued sharing his experience as a physical education teacher and volunteer coach.
His contribution has earned formal recognition. In 2013 he was awarded the Anguilla Badge of Honour and Queen’s Certificate.
He was inducted into Anguilla’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 and included on Sports Wall of Fame in 2017, the petition says.
Preserving contributions
Christian said that for many, the distinctive nickname ‘Ras Bucket’ has a personal meaning across generations and brings to mind school, sport and community life.
“Giving that name to the stadium would preserve those connections and introduce his contribution to athletes who never had the opportunity to learn from him directly,” she wrote.
The petition, on change.org, urges the government to name the stadium after Davis during his lifetime and establish a clear timetable for the “long-overdue” facility.
It also proposes recognising other Anguillian athletes, including Shara Proctor and Zharnel Hughes, through displays celebrating their achievements.
“Our national landmarks should honour decades of service and acknowledge those whose work has expanded what Anguillians can achieve,” Christian said.
International partners
In December 2025, the Qatar Olympic Committee announced that Anguilla is one of 11 nations to receive a new eco-friendly running track as part of its ‘Aim Beyond’ project.
Run in partnership with World Athletics and the Qatar Fund For Development, the aim is to empower young people and underserved communities through sport.
The track will be distinguished by its inclusivity, accommodating the needs of athletes with disabilities, and by its sustainability through the use of eco-friendly materials.
It will also serve as a community hub to promote the values of sporting excellence and strengthen young athletes’ sense of belonging to their communities.
On 19 February, Anguilla’s Executive Council approved the acquisition of 14 acres of land in the public interest for the development and installation of the track and field facility.
The briefing outlined the rationale for shifting the project from the originally identified Valley Bottom site due to environmental, food security, agricultural, aquifer protection, flooding and traffic concerns.
Planning permission
In July, Jeison Bryan, ministerial assistant in the Ministry of Sports, gave a progress update on the stadium during a question and answer session in the Anguilla House of Assembly.
He said the proposed national track and field facility had received outline planning permission with construction expected to begin in September and last five to six months.
Ahead of the next phase, the government continued preparatory work at the site near the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School in the Quarter.
Bryan said it remained a “flagship priority” and forms a key component of the National Sports Policy.
He added that the ministry continues to work closely with its international partners to advance the remaining planning, technical and administrative requirements.
Bryan said contractor procurement would be managed through development partners using internationally accepted procedures once the necessary agreements are in place.
Estimated costs
During the recent parliamentary sitting, Bryan said cost estimates had not yet been finalised, but reminded members that significant support was being provided under the Aim Beyond programme.
However, he said, the government remains responsible for funding certain preparatory works and any additional components that fall outside of the scope of the project’s allocation.
“Once the design process has been completed and the final costing have been confirmed. I will be pleased to provide this honourable house with the detailed estimates,” he said.
When asked if funding had been budgeted for the enabling works and supporting amenities, Bryan responded that EC$1.5 million had been identified under the capital programme for sports development.
“From this allocation, the initial enabling works associated with the national track and field facility, including land clearing, surveying and other preparatory activities, will be financed,” he said.
