Former National Captain & West Indies Allrounder
Former Early Childhood Educator
Administrator & Social Worker
Mention Women’s Cricket in St. Lucia and one name that is sure to surface is Eugena Gregg. She acquired her basic cricketing skills by engaging the young lads of her sporting community Guesneau, by playing “tip and run” on the road during her leisure time. However, she developed a more serious approach to the game by participating in a structured National Day, Women’s Cricket Competition which was held in her neighboring community (Forestiere) from 1983 – 1986.
In 1987 she was part of an invitational team which travelled to Trinidad and Tobago as guest of the Merry Girls Women’s Cricket Team. In August 1988, Ms. Gregg made her debut at the national level as vice-captain of the St. Lucia National Women’s Cricket Team, a position she held until 1990. she later went on to captain the National Team until 1997. She was the recipient of several accolades to include the cricketer of the year in 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1997 culminating in the prestigious title of Sport Woman of the Year in 1997. Perhaps best known for her admirable execution of the square cut, her highest individual score was 99 not out at the Domestic level and 88 not out against Jamaica at the Regional level.
Ms. Gregg actively served as Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the St. Lucia National Women’s Cricket Association from the inception of St. Lucia’s participation in the sport at the regional level in 1988. She was elected Vice President of the Saint Lucia National Women’s Cricket Association (SLNWCA) for two consecutive terms.
A very vocal Ms. Gregg remarked: “my cricketing career had been the happiest days of my life.”, “The elation was evident every time I took the field and my teammates rallied around me.” She gained selection on the West Indies Women’s Cricket Team in 1989 and was permanently featured until 1997. Ms. Gregg was the first Saint Lucian to be selected on a West Indies Cricket Team. She was chosen ahead of Ms. Patricia “Patsy” Felicien, now deceased, a fellow Saint Lucian female cricketer who joined her on the West Indies Women’s Cricket Team in the 1993 World Cup.
“Greggos” as she is affectionately known (name coined by Former West Indies Coach Theo Cuffy) was one of the few female cricketers of that era, who was privileged to represent the West Indies in two World Cups, played in England and India in 1993 and 1997 respectively.
She made a significant contribution towards the development of cricket in Saint Lucia at both the youth and senior levels, working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, the Sandals Foundation, the West Indies Cricket Board (now Cricket West Indies) and particularly the St. Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) when she facilitated the practical component of the Sport for Life Programme in Saint Lucia.
In 2011 she was appointed Manager of the Sandals Academy under 15 male camp which was held in Saint Lucia. Some of her other achievements include:
- Manager of the Saint Lucia National Women’s Cricket Youth Team in 2012 and that same year, she Managed the Senior National Women’s Cricket Team in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Caribbean Women’s T/20 competition.
- Ms. Gregg continually served as Manager of those teams even when the Windward Islands was represented in the CWI Regional Tournament as the Northern and Southern Windward Island Zones in 2015. Subsequent to managing the Windward Islands Northern Women’s Cricket Team, she was appointed Manager of the Windward Island Senior Women’s Cricket team in 2016.
- Additionally, Ms. Gregg was appointed Manager of the South Castries Lions, in the Dream 11 T/10 Blast from its inception in St. Lucia in 2020.
Other administrative functions bestowed on Ms. Gregg were:
- Elected unopposed as President of the South Castries Cricket Association (SCCA) in 2006, becoming the first female President of an all-male affiliated Association.
- Elected 3rd Vice President of the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) in November 2013 -2019.
In 2007-2008, Ms. Gregg was the recipient of the SLNCA’s President’s Trophy and plaque from the Ministry of Social Transformation Youth and Sports for her outstanding administrative roles and contribution to the development of cricket on the island. At the conclusion of the 2008 Regional Tournament hosted in Saint. Lucia; she was recognized for playing at the national level for twenty (20) consecutive years.
As though juggling through sports and work as a supervisor of the Government operated Early Childhood Services for several years was not enough, she took on the additional responsibility of coaching and went on to attain a WICB level one (l) coaching certification.
she exhibited an admirable balance between academics, work and sports, which did not go unnoticed by the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, (SALCC) Department of Continued Education. The learning institution proudly recognized Ms. Gregg as the most outstanding student to complete the Certificate in Social Work with distinction in 2003 and the Associate Degree with Credits in 2007. Ms. Gregg’s exemplary achievement was featured in the SALCC magazine.
She pursued a B.Sc. in Social Work at the University of the West Indies, (UWI) Cave Hill Campus and graduated with honours. During her stint at the institution of higher learning she was gainfully employed with the Academy of Sports Cave Hill as a Student Assistant, charged with the implementation of a Women’s Cricket programme at the University.
Subsequently, the former West Indies female cricketer was appointed head coach of the Sagicor UWI, Cave Hill Blackbirds, with Assistant Coach, Mr. Clivus Jules who contributed meaningfully towards the successful execution of that Women’s Cricket Programme at the Cave Hill Campus. In 2012, three UWI Blackbirds players soar high to attain their selection on the Barbados National Women’s Cricket Team.
In 2017, Ms. Gregg received a telephone call from Cricket West Indies (CWI) requesting her services as Manager of the West Indies Women’s Cricket team in a Home Series versus Sir Lanka. In that Home Series played in Trinidad and Antigua, the West Indies Women’s team won both the T/20 and ODI matches convincingly. Thereafter, she managed the team on tour in New Zealand, South Africa home series which was played in Barbados and Antigua, followed by the 2018 stand-alone World T/20 in the West Indies and tours to Pakistan and Daubi in February 2020.
Under the Skerritt and Dr. Shallow’s administration, (2019 – 2021) Ms. Gregg was appointed member of the CWI Cricket Development Committee, an opportunity which she modestly embraced as a distinguished female amidst the many prominent male administrators who passionately discussed and worked tirelessly towards the holistic development of the game at all levels. She continued to add silverwares to her collection in December 2022, when the South Castries Cricket Association inducted Ms. Gregg in their Hall of Excellence, in appreciation and recognition of her years of outstanding services as a player and administrator.
Ms. Gregg is a community activist, equally well-known for her commitment and involvement in community activities geared towards the development of her community.
Professionally, Ms. Gregg worked as a Social Worker at the St. Lucia Crisis Centre Corporation and was later transferred to the Family Court in November 2013 where she continues to serve to date.
Going forward, Ms. Gregg intends to offer her specialized services towards the holistic Development of the young lads and lasses who aspire to become professional athletes. Moreover, she wants to assist the under privileged and other vulnerable individuals or groups.
Ms. Gregg wishes to encourage young people to empower themselves and to grab every opportunity which presents itself. Display a spirit of true sportsmanship and leadership. Above all, the former St. Lucian National Team Captain, Former West Indies all-rounder, Former Early Childhood Educator, Administrator and Social Worker is encouraging our young men and women to refrain from getting in conflict with the law, be respectable, selfless and humble.
Hall of Famer Roselyn Emmanuel and her grand daughter Skyy Smith both from St. Lucia nominated Ms Gregg.
