Monica Cumberbatch, a trailblazing administrator in hockey, took home the top honour earlier this week when the Barbados Olympic Association’s Gender Equality Commission hosted the 2026 Esther Maynard Icon Award Ceremony.
Cumberbatch, who was also a 2025 finalist, was victorious from a field of two other finalists, both accomplished women in sport, Annette Beckett and Roxanne Forte.
Her lifelong dedication to sports began during her school days at Queen’s College and blossomed into a distinguished career as an administrator and technical official, who was instrumental in consolidating the men’s and women’s hockey associations into the Barbados Hockey Federation. Cumberbatch’s hard work and determination saw her awarded the Pan American Hockey Federation Order of Merit and inducted into the Barbados Hockey Hall of Fame.
In her opening remarks at the ceremony held on March 31 at the Barbados Olympic Centre, Nisha Craigwell, the newly appointed Chairperson of the Gender Equality Commission, commended all three nominees for their dedication and sacrifices. She noted their achievements have not only advanced their respective sports, but also inspired communities locally and regionally, creating pathways for future growth and leadership.
Craigwell’s comments came as she advocated for decisive, continuous action to dismantle the inequalities still plaguing sports, highlighting the stark disparities in media coverage, sponsorship opportunities, and pay for women in sport. Drawing a sharp contrast between the North American National Basketball Association and the Women’s National Basketball Association, she declared that “success is not gender specific,” while demanding greater investment in nurturing athletes into future leaders.
But she also noted clear signs of global momentum toward gender equity, highlighting the gender parity achieved at the 2024 Summer Olympics and the massive viewership of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Gender Equality Commission chair sees these as proof that progress is building, even as she stressed the critical need for sustained commitment to achieve complete equality.
Honouring a Champion
Accepting the award from the revered namesake, Esther Maynard herself, Cumberbatch spoke with humility, expressing her deep honour. She graciously recognised the collective power of the finalists, stating, “I wish I could share this; cut this into three”.
Celebrating the Finalists and Nominees
The evening also celebrated the other two finalists, recognising their multi-disciplinary commitment to Barbadian sports. Beckett was praised for decades of leadership, including a long tenure as president of the Barbados Netball Association and influence on darts and boxing. Forte was honoured for a 50-year career, marked by achievements such as being the first woman elected to the Barbados Volleyball Association Board and the first female manager of a Caribbean Premier League franchise.
Before the ultimate winner was announced, special acknowledgement was also given to nominees Kathleen Beckles from the Barbados Aquatic Sports Association and Allison Elliot from the Equestrian Association for their stellar work in their respective disciplines.
The Esther Maynard Icon Award is supported by the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity programme. The award stands as a testament to Barbadian sporting greatness. Past recipients include Esther Maynard (2020), Kathy Harper Hall (2021), Sonia O’Neal (2022), June Rudder (2023), Andrea Nichols (2024), and Diana Clarke (2025).