DISCOVERY BAY, ST ANN BETTER FOR HIS WORK
DISCOVERY BAY, St Ann; Oct. 23, 2024
Henry Joseph Braidy is the consummate community man. Over many decades, he has been helping to build his community through sports and working as a volunteer. Much of his work has been with the Discovery Bay community, St Ann, where he was born.
(Henry Braidy with plaque and citation at awards)
He is one of eight individuals honoured by the St Ann Municipal Corporation on Heroes Day for service to the parish.
UNSUNG HEROES OF ST ANN HONOURED
He left only for a few years, when he lived abroad, and is back still giving service. Now, he is the manager of the Discovery Bay Community Centre and a member of the management committee. He is also the sports coordinator of the Discovery Bay Community Development Council. He also serves as the Community Liaison Officer for the Jamaica Environmental Trust (JET). From time to time, he arranges to have playfields cut in Discovery Bay and surrounding areas. He also participates annually in the International Coastal Clean-up.
(Mr Braidy 2nd left with six of the other awardees at the event. To his left is Mini Miss St Ann 2024 receiving the award for Damion Duckett who was absent)
Mr Braidy says he was involved with sports from the time he attended the then Discovery Bay All-Age School, after which he attended Dinthill Technical High in Linstead, St. Catherine. “I fell in love with football at Dinthill. I wasn’t a great player, so I sat beside the coach and learned the game,” says Mr. Braidy with laughter. He developed his football skills there and gradually built up coaching expertise. Over the years, he has assisted with many teams, providing support and guidance. These teams include his alma mater Discovery Bay All Age (now Primary), Discovery Bay High, teams connected with the bauxite company in Discovery Bay (Noranda/New Day), and local Division One teams. One of his biggest successes was with the Discovery Bay United football team, which won the St. Ann Division One (equivalent to the Major League now) in 1991. It was the first team outside of the Ocho Rios/St. Ann’s Bay belt to win the league.
STARTING OVER
After that success, he migrated. When he returned to Jamaica in 2004, Mr. Braidy had to start all over again in building a team to represent the community in the top St. Ann football league. He now assists with the Dry Harbour team that played in the recently concluded Major League competition. He also managed the Discovery Bay U-16 football programme, which consisted of 18-24 boys. “I try to help [the teams] with whatever I can in the community,” Mr. Braidy said.
His community service continues to be rewarded in sports generally. In 2022, the Social Development Commission (SDC) had a four-in-one competition that included culture, domino, football, and netball. “I was involved in putting together the Farm Town team that represented Discovery Bay and went on to win the national title,” he said.
.
(Receiving citation and plaque from Councillor Carlton Ricketts) (Braidy seen at his old school Dinthill High)
Asked about why he has continued to give so much service, Mr. Braidy attributes it to the life of his father. Rev. Thomas Braidy, now retired, was the pastor of the Bethel Apostolic Church. “My Dad is a minister of religion. He has a church in Farm Town, Discovery Bay. I grew up seeing him doing community work. I admired that,” he says.
Away from sports, Mr. Braidy, a bee farmer, has given service as the former president of the St. Ann Bee Farmers Association and a former director of the All Island Bee Farmers Association. He is the chairman of the Liberty Hill Infant School in Dumbarton, St. Ann and pledges to continue trying to make positive changes in the community.
THIS IS A SPONSORED FEATURE ON MR BRAIDY. OTHERS WILL BE FEATURED THIS WEEK ON THE NORTH COAST TIMES PLATFORMS.
