In the early 1950s, as netball was just beginning to grow in the Cayman Islands, a young girl named Lucille Dell Seymour found herself drawn to the game.
“We played on grass fields, and it was mainly informal, among friends and community groups. I quickly developed a passion for the game because it was a team sport that allowed us to come together and have fun,” Seymour, now 80, recollected.
Seymour has dedicated more than 60 years to netball in the Cayman Islands, a journey that began when the sport was a casual pastime with limited resources, she said.
“We played mostly for enjoyment and community bonding, driven by enthusiasm rather than organisation,” she said.
As one of the founders of netball in Cayman, she said her inspiration for committing most of her life to the sport stemmed from its ability to empower women and girls through camaraderie and teamwork.
“The fact that it was a team sport mainly for girls motivated me to dedicate many years to helping it grow, because I knew it could make a difference in our community,” she said.
“It was a way for girls to stay active and build friendships.”
Seymour’s dedication to the sport has seen her take on various roles – player, coach and team manager.
She served on the Cayman Islands Netball Association’s executive committee as secretary, vice president and, most notably, president for over four decades.
Throughout her extensive involvement, she was instrumental in organising local leagues, training clinics and community outreach programmes, working hard to promote and develop the sport both locally and regionally.
She played a key role in establishing local youth leagues, community clinics and the annual Cayman Islands Netball Festival.
“I was also involved in organising the first Caribbean inter-country netball competitions, which included all 16 Caribbean nations – an achievement I am very proud of,” she said.
Looking back, Seymour noted that the role of women in sports has “improved tremendously.”
“When I started, women’s sports had limited support and recognition. Now, women are actively involved, with increased participation, sponsorship and respect. Netball is seen as a vital part of our community and women’s empowerment,” she said.
Of the changes, she highlighted the on-the-court evolution of equipment, rules and training methods, saying they made the game faster and more competitive.
As for off-the-court changes, she says the sport has become more organised, with better facilities, coaching and community support.
“It has grown from a casual pastime into a structured league with national representation,” she said.
For Seymour, netball has given her “Lifelong friendships, leadership opportunities and a sense of purpose,” adding that watching players develop their skills and witnessing the sport’s overall growth in Cayman has been incredibly rewarding.
“My involvement in managing the sport also helped me to develop skills that contributed to my journey into politics and management,” she added.
In 1982, she introduced the first child-protection policies in school sports, led national teams abroad and championed equal access.
For her global contributions to the sport, she received the World Netball Service Award in 2019.
She believes that beyond the technical aspects of the game, netball teaches important life lessons such as teamwork, discipline, perseverance and respect, and helps build confidence and leadership skills, especially in young girls, fostering positive role models who can contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Her hope for the future of netball in Cayman is for the sport to continue to grow, with more young players, improved facilities, greater international participation and for Cayman to become a regional hub for netball excellence, inspiring future generations.
Seymour says she wants to be remembered “as someone who helped build a strong, inclusive and sustainable netball programme – one that empowered women and youth and fostered community pride.”
A legacy beyond netball
Seymour’s influence extends far beyond the netball court.
Her lifelong devotion to education, equity, sport and cultural heritage was celebrated at the University College of the Cayman Islands class of 2025 commencement ceremony on 1 July, when she was awarded the honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree.
Seymour’s pioneering contributions to education began in 1967 when she started teaching. She emerged as a leader in curriculum reform, special education and educational policy.
In addition to her work in sports and education, Seymour has been a champion for cultural preservation and civic leadership.
She served as the chair of the National Arts Festival from 1982 to 1994, where she integrated Caymanian culture into education and community life.
Her public service expanded when she became one of the first female permanent secretaries and an elected member of the then Legislative Assembly, where she advocated for women’s rights, pay equity and elder care.
She currently serves as the chair of the Older Persons Council and remains an active voice in civic life.
For her extensive service, Seymour has received multiple honours. She was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1993 and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2022 in recognition of her service to netball, education and community development.
