As Karen Rosen Baugh prepares to take the reins as the next president of Netball Jamaica (NJ), the question on everyone’s mind isn’t just about her getting the job, but about what this new era means for the sport.

Sometimes the most interesting questions about an election are not concerned with who won, but with why people voted the way they did or what the implications of the results are. In Rosen Baugh’s case, her unopposed candidacy raises questions about the state of NJ’s leadership and what her presidency will mean for the sport’s future.

Outgoing President Tricia Robinson’s has stated she will not seek re-election, seemingly paving the way for Rosen Baugh. With no other contender stepping forward to date, Rosen Baugh is poised to become the 12th president of local governing netball body. The election is set to take place next month.

Confident in her ability to lead NJ, Baugh is looking forward to the election.

“I am confident that I can make a very good run for it, because I think people have seen the work that I have been putting in,” Rosen Baugh told the Jamaica Observer.

“I had mainly been a behind-the-scenes person until now, but [I’ve been] behind the scenes and all over the place, and been involved in everything that we’ve been doing to build the sport. I hope that people see my heart, my passion, and the work that I want to do for NJ,” she further said.

With her background as NJ’s director of marketing and sponsorship since 2021, Rosen Baugh is well-positioned to take the helm. Her experience on the board, which dates back to 2011, has given her a deep understanding of the organisation’s inner workings.

Rosen Baugh reflected on her time on the board, highlighting the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We had our challenges. We came right out of COVID, and so there was a lot of time spent rebuilding. After COVID, we tried to rebuild our leagues and to make sure participation is at the highest level that we can have, and so we are looking to continue building going forward,” she explained.

Rosen Baugh’s decision to run for presidency didn’t come lightly.

“I took a long and hard think before I decided to run for presidency. I feel like I have more to offer. Right now I am focused on marketing and sponsorship and trying to sponsors and kind of relaunching the team to Jamaica,” she said.

However, Rosen Baugh recognises that Netball Jamaica needs a long-term vision, and she believes her skills in communication and team building make her the ideal candidate for the job.

“My skills in communication, I think, help in team building, because it is not a one-person job. We definitely need to build a strong team so that we can attack all areas of development for netball, from umpiring to coaching to grassroots programmes, and of course, to build the Sunshine Girls, because we know that we can be number one in the world,” Rosen Baugh affirmed.

Although Rosen Baugh is currently the only candidate, she acknowledges that there’s still time for others to enter the race.

“Nobody else has declared their hand, but there is still time. But right now, I am the only person who has declared that I am running for president…but we will see. There are a couple of weeks before the election that persons can throw their hats in the ring. The competition is good, and it will be a clean contest from my side, for sure,” a confident-looking Rosen Baugh told the Observer.

If there’s a contest the election’s outcome will depend on the votes of NJ’s 70 to 80 member clubs, each holding two votes. Baugh is appealing directly to these clubs, hoping that her passion and dedication to the sport will win them over.

“The voting is done by our clubs. The clubs are members, and associations are members of NJ, and you have direct members as well. So, the appeal is to the clubs to support me,” Rosen Baugh explained.

“I have been around netball for a while, and I want to put my skills and passion on board for NJ, and hopefully, I can build a great team that can move netball forward,” she added.