Jean Pierre (26 March 1944 – 2 December 2002) was a former Trinidad and Tobago netball international, netball coach and politician. Between 1963 and 1979, she represented Trinidad and Tobago at five Netball World Cups. She captained Trinidad and Tobago at the 1975 World Netball Tournament. In 1979 she was a member of the Trinidad and Tobago team that shared the gold medal with Australia and New Zealand. She was subsequently awarded the Hummingbird Medal, Trinity Cross and Chaconia Medals. Between 1991 and 1995, she served in the Trinidad and Tobago House of Representatives for Port of Spain South as a member of the People's National Movement. Between 1991 and 1995 she also served as the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs. She died on 2 December 2002 in the Cayman Islands after a long battle with colorectal cancer.
Early life and education Jean Pierre was born on 26 March 1944 in Fyzabad, Trinidad. She attended various schools in Trinidad and Tobago including Southern Oropouche Government Primary School, Mucurapo Girls’ R.C. School and the Progressive Educational Institute. She subsequently gained a diploma in physical education from Dartford College of Physical Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida.
Netball career Playing career Trinidad and Tobago Between 1963 and 1979, she represented Trinidad and Tobago at five Netball World Cups. She was known as the "Dancing Queen" because of her rapid and graceful movements on the netball court. She also holds the distinction of being the only player to compete in the first five Netball World Cups. She captained Trinidad and Tobago at the 1975 World Netball Tournament. In 1979 she was a member of the Trinidad and Tobago team that shared the gold medal with Australia and New Zealand. For her contribututions to netball in Trinidad and Tobago she was subsequently awarded the Hummingbird Medal, Trinity Cross and Chaconia Medals, all by age 35.
Tournaments Place1963 World Netball Tournament4th1967 World Netball Tournament6th 1971 World Netball Tournament4th1975 World Netball Tournament4th1979 World Netball Tournament
Coaching career Trinidad and Tobago At the 1983 and 1987 World Netball Tournament, Pierre was a member of the Trinidad and Tobago coaching team. Enid Browne was listed as the head coach at both of these tournaments.
West Indies In November 1987, Pierre coached a West Indies team that played England in a three test series. The West Indies won first test 46–39.
Cayman Islands From 1987 onwards, Pierre coached the Cayman Islands, including at the 1991 and 1999 World Netball Championships. She was still working as a coach in the Cayman Islands when she died on 2 December 2002, after a long battle with colorectal cancer.
Tournaments Place Team1983 World Netball Championships 1987 World Netball Championships 1987 England West Indies series 1990 Caribbean Netball Championship 1991 World Netball Championships16th1999 World Netball Championships23rd
Political career Between 1991 and 1995, Pierre served in the House of Representatives for Port of Spain South as a member of the People's National Movement. Between 1991 and 1995 she also served as Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs.
Legacy In 1998 the Caribbean Netball Association introduced the Jean Pierre Caribbean Youth Netball Tournament in her honour. The inaugural tournament was hosted by Antigua and Barbuda and won by Jamaica. The tournament has been held almost annually ever since. The West Regional Park Complex on Wrightson Road in Port of Spain, which hosted the 1979 World Netball Tournament, was re-named the Jean Pierre Complex in her honour. In 1990 Pierre was one the founding members of the All Sectors Netball League. Since 2003, teams in the league have competed for the Jean Pierre Challenge Trophy.
Honours Trinidad and Tobago Netball World Cup Winners: 1979
Individual Awards Year Award1974Hummingbird Medal1979Trinity Cross1979Chaconia Medal
References