Former T&T Netball Association (TTNA) president Martha Archer has died.
Just last Tuesday, family, friends and members of the netball fraternity, via Facebook, sent birthday greetings to Archer when she turned 68 so the news of her passing earlier Monday came as a shock to all.
The TTNA sent out notice of the death of the longest-serving netball administrator saying: "Rest in Prefect Peace. It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of a netball legend, past president of the TTNA Inc, executive memberof the Americas Netball, an life long supporter of the sport."
Archer ws the first Tobagonian to be elected president of a National Sporting Association, serving as head of the TTNA for 14 years (1991–2003, 2005–2007) and in several positions on both islands and in the region.
She was the secretary/treasurer of Tobago Netball League (TNL) for 20 years (1978-1998), holding the position of president for 10 years (1999–2003, 2007–2013) and was the Americas Federation of Netball Associations (AFNA) vice president from 1994-2018. In her final year of service to the Americas body, life membership in AFNA was conferred on her in Barbados at a World Cup qualifier.
AFNA also reached out to the mourning netball community on Facebook, saying: "Our hearts are sad in the Americas Region today. A stalwart is gone. In the face of adversity and illness she remained strong. She acquired institutional knowledge of the sport and she took that library with her.
"Martha was made a Lifetime Member of AFNA in 2018. She served her beloved TTNA with distinction. Martha has donned her wings, fly high with the Angels and transition well. Thank You for the service! R.I.P. Our sincere condolences to Martha’s family and friends."
In 2019, Archer, who has been involved in the sport for some 50 years, was awarded the Hummingbird Medal (Gold) for loyal and devoted service to T&T.
She leaves to mourn daughter Korice Archer-Nancis and siblings Austrid Archer-Roachford, Valerie Archer, who is based in the UK, Cheryl Archer-Darby-Payne, Charmaine Archer, Lenor Archer, Yolander Archer and Selwyn Archer; brother Joseph Wayne Archer is deceased.