November 26, 1959 – Evans Jones aka Jawakie was born to Morris ‘Dapa’ Jones (Point) and Ann Prevost (Dominica). His early years were spent in San Juan Alley, Point before his family moved to Tindale Road when he was eleven (11) years old. He later moved to Station Street, Grays Farm.
His received his education foundation at the Pilgrim High School, popular known as Mission School (Bishopgate Street) then on to the Princess Margaret Secondary School. He is a certified athletics coach, a certified football coach, and personal trainer with expansive training to include IAAF Certified Coach Levels One (1) to Three (3). He is a Certified CPR Facilitator and a Certified Skills Development Trainer.
Jones has been a regional trainer in several areas related to athletics and biomechanics. His first regional lecture was in 1992 in Trinidad & Tobago.
During is active years in athletics, Jones was a 400m and 800m specialist. He was the National 400m Champion from 1981 to 1983. He represented Antigua and Barbuda in OECS meets for several years and CAC athletics events in 800m in 1981.
Jones was first employed at the General Post Office in 1979. In 1986 at the request of elite sports administrator Mr. Fitzroy Brann, he was transferred to the Community Sports & Games Department headquartered at YMCA at the time.
As Athletics Coordinator in the Ministry of Sports, Jones was instrumental in the revival of the Inter-Schools Athletics Competition in 1992 and its annual hosting through to 2004. He was promoted to Assistant Director of Sports in 2004. He acted briefly as Director of Sports 2012-2013.
Jones has been apart of the Antigua and Barbuda delegations to the Olympics in 1984, 1988, 1996, 2004 and 2008 serving in various capacities, mostly as coach. He has also served in coaching capacity at the 2014 Youth Olympics and the 2015 Commonwealth Games. He was the only Strength & Conditioning Trainer during the Stanford Caribbean 20/20 tournament 2007/2008. Jones has served as strength and conditioning trainer for various Antigua and Barbuda National Teams across football, basketball, netball, volleyball, and cricket from 1983 and still ongoing.
Jones’ most significant impact on the development of athletes came through Panthers International Elite Track Club which he founded in 1983. Through this club where Jones served as the head coach, he developed several athletes who have performed outstandingly to include:
- Dale Jones – national record holder at 800m and 1500m, represented Antigua and Barbuda at 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympics and two (2) World Championships.
- Joycelyn Joseph – 400m national record holder, 1984 and 1988 Olympics
- Cordova ‘Popoye’ Simon- National record holder in 5K, 10K, 21K and Marathon
- Sonia Williams– NCAC Under 20 Women’s 100m record (12.49 sec) for four (4) years 1996 – 2000; Carifta Games 1996, Olympics 1996 and 2004. World Juniors 1996 and 1998.
- Bliss Soleyn – Inter-School MVP, 4th Women’s Finals, Youth Olympics 2014
- Coul Graham – 200m Youth Olympics 2014, Carifta Games – 2015,2016, 2017
- Soniya Jones – national record holder, Carifta Games 2018 – Bronze Medal 100m and 2019, World Juniors 2018, Youth Olympics 2018.
He still served as the Club’s Head Coach and is currently also 2nd Vice President.
Jones is also a member of the Antigua and Barbuda Athletics Association.
Beyond Sports Jones played in the Ebonites Steelband from 1975 to 1981 and remains passionate about pan and culture.