Rawle Clarke Legacy Award

Rawle Clarke, OLY, devoted a lifetime to sport, as an Olympian, coach, administrator and broadcaster, but one of his most enduring contributions was his role in the establishment and development of the Barbados National Senior Games.

A distinguished sprinter, Rawle represented Barbados at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, competing in the 200 metres and the 4 × 100 metres relay. But when his years of competing at the highest level ended, his service to sport was far from over.

The story of the National Senior Games began in 2002, when then Minister of Social Transformation, Hamilton Lashley, shared his vision for a national sporting event specifically for older Barbadians and asked Rawle to serve as its Chief Coordinator.

Rawle brought considerable experience to the task. He had already spent several years organising the National Industrial Games, and that experience proved invaluable in transforming the idea of a Senior Games into reality.

The inaugural Games were coordinated from an office at the headquarters of the National Assistance Board, whose staff played an important role in the planning and execution of the event. Among those contributing significantly in those formative years were Stevenson Evelyn and Wayne Riley.

Rawle’s vision soon extended beyond Barbados. After researching international opportunities for senior athletes, the decision was made to send a team selected from the National Senior Games to the Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah.

The first Barbadian team travelled to Utah in October 2003, with Rawle as Team Manager. He continued in that role until 2019, and under his leadership Barbados’ participation expanded from track and field to include archery, basketball, cycling, swimming, table tennis and tennis.

His commitment was personal as well as administrative. Rawle trained senior athletes on the Harrison College playing field, opening his programme to others preparing for competition and helping to build a community of older athletes committed to remaining active. He founded the Senior Athletes of Barbados, from which clubs including BAMSAC and Freedom Striders would emerge.

His contribution to senior sport was recognised internationally when, in 2013, he was inducted into the Huntsman World Senior Games Hall of Fame.

Rawle Clarke passed away in November 2025, but the movement he helped to establish continues.

It is in recognition of this extraordinary contribution that the Rawle Clarke Legacy Award has been established as part of the National Senior Games. Beginning with the 22nd edition in 2026, the award recognises the most senior participant in each sporting discipline, celebrating not simply competitive achievement, but longevity, participation and a lifelong commitment to active living.

It is a fitting tribute to a man who helped create the very platform on which today’s senior athletes continue to compete, connect and inspire.

Rawle Clarke, OLY — Olympian, pioneer and servant of sport. His race is run, but through the National Senior Games, his legacy continues.