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BVIOC, BVIAA pay tribute to Patrick O. Harrigan

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Former BVI sports administrator Patrick Harrigan

By MERRICK ANDREWS
Online News Editor


Two prominent sporting organisations in the territory have paid tribute to former athlete and sports administrator Patrick O. Harrigan who passed away Wednesday evening (Feb. 8), reportedly, after a prolonged illness. He was 65.

In a Facebook post, the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA) expressed condolences to the Harrigan family and remembered Harrigan as one of the most experienced certified starters in this region.

“His presence and dedication to the growth of the sport will be greatly missed. Rest in peace brother Harrigan,” the BVIAA said.

The BVI Olympic Association (BVIOC) said in a lengthier statement “it is with great sadness” that it learned that Harrigan died on the night of Wednesday, February 8 – just one week shy of his 66th birthday.

The BVIOC further stated that Harrigan will be remembered by the organisation for his significant contribution to sports in the territory — first as an outstanding basketball player and then as acting director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS) where he served in the role for a number of years.

Harrigan was the official starter of the 2016 CARIFTA Games held in St. George’s, Grenada and also served in that role for a number of local and regional track meets, according to the BVIOC.

“He was a keen volleyball player and an avid cricketer. Patrick was the founder of the BVI Grasshoppers Skipping Rope team that toured and competed locally, regionally and internationally. Our sincere condolences to Mr. Harrigan’s family,” the BVIOC statement concluded.

Other tributes and condolences have been pouring out on social media for Harrigan who was also a former basketballer, track and field athlete, and referee.

One notable contribution came from a Roger Williams via Facebook.

It reads: “I knew Patrick Harrigan aka Dr. T or Guava Tart (his favourite Tart) or just Tart from boyhood days, he was a Sports Icon he played Basketball, Softball and Volleyball and eventually became a referee in Basketball and Volleyball he excelled tremendously in Basketball at Power Forward with his smooth 12 to 15ft turnaround jump shot on offence, on defence he was a very good rebounder and shotblocker once you got in his reach, he was the major player for his team the infamous A’s of Road Town winning championships in 79, 82 and 83 that I can recall. He was a strict disciplinarian he was the starter for track races at the various schools on their sports day on the field (AOSRG). He also coached and mentored many of us youths through the years and was a Senior Sports Officer with the DYAS. He was a man of great humility and one that I admired over the years. I was told that his mother the late Luella Harrigan baby sitted me and my younger siblings in the late 60s when we lived in Road Town when mother worked at Sylvia’s Laundry and Government House. We have lost a Sports Icon, Legend and a compassionate man. He will be missed by all who knew him. My Condolences 🙏to the entire family and friends. Hey, Guava Tart rest well my friend 💔.”

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BVI Barracudas Shine at 2024 VISF Short Course Championships with Record Medal Haul

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The British Virgin Islands Barracudas Swim Team returned from the 2024 Virgin Islands Swimming Federation (VISF) Short Course Championships in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, with 47 individual medals along with three second-place relay finishes, a vast improvement from last year’s 20 medals.

“We’re incredibly proud of the Barracudas’ achievements this year,” said a team representative. “Our swimmers put in the hard work, achieving 55 personal best times, and showing immense growth with more than double last year’s medal count. Their dedication is paying off.”

The team’s success was especially evident among its youngest swimmers, with many trying new events and demonstrating advanced techniques for the first time. Swimmers as young as eight made a mark, excelling in events like breaststroke pullouts and flip turns—a challenging feat given the team’s limited access to training facilities with regulation flags and pools back home.

Leading the charge, eight-year-old Skylar Steer clinched first place in five events, including the 25m Freestyle (20.14) and 100m Freestyle (1:37.15). Teammate Naya Bissoondutt also delivered top results, securing two first-place finishes in the 8 & Under category, while fellow swimmer William Vergel placed on the podium in three events, underscoring the young team’s depth of skill and potential.

The Barracudas’ relay teams also performed admirably, with the Mixed 8 & Under Medley and Freestyle Relay teams both taking second-place finishes, adding to the team’s impressive medal count.

Older team members brought in strong results as well, with Kyrique Matthew in the Boys 11-12 category capturing first in four events, including the 100m Freestyle (1:25.26) and the 200m Breaststroke (4:06.46). Princess Samantha Vergel and Amaury Rosan-Jones also contributed significantly in their respective age categories.

“We are immensely grateful to everyone who helped make this meet possible,” noted the team, extending thanks to the VISF, event officials, supportive parents, and sponsors, including Aquatic Rentals VI, ATU, Island Shipping, John Duncan, and Nanny Cay, where the team was able to train in preparation for the championships.

Reflecting on the team’s progress, a Barracudas representative remarked, “The hard work and dedication of our swimmers has truly shone through. We are extremely proud of their achievements and look forward to more success in the future. This accomplishment is the result of a strong community effort.”

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Team BVI Falls to Rugby Puerto Rico in International Test Match, 51-27

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Team BVI faced a tough battle in Puerto Rico, suffering a 51-27 defeat against Rugby Puerto Rico in an International Test Match held on Saturday, September 28 at Polideportivo Rebekah Colberg.

Team BVI’s lineup for the match included Luke Saltonstall, Burt Woodley, Stuart Cullen, Roan Thornton, Rob Lind, Tom Chapman, Issac Dawson, Jordan Ringland, Sam Thompson, Mark Wells, Jayden Williams, and Jaleel Cameron. Although they fought hard, Puerto Rico’s disciplined play proved too much for BVI to overcome.

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BVI Archery Team Returns with 9 Medals from Regional Championship in Jamaica

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The British Virgin Islands (BVI) archery team has returned home with 2 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals from the 2024 WAAm Caribbean Development Championship, held in Kingston, Jamaica. The event, which took place from September 18 to 22, gathered top talent from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Kellyann Tillac and Naomi Onwufuju each secured a gold medal, while Keandre Matthew, Javelin Frett, and Kellyann Tillac (who won two silvers) brought home four silver medals. The BVI also claimed three bronze medals, with Keandre Matthew earning two and Keyara Smith securing one.

The BVI squad, consisting of both beginner and developmental archers, competed against athletes from several regional heavyweights, including Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States.

The competition featured athletes across multiple categories. Representing the BVI in the Recurve Beginner Under 15 Men category was Matthew Keandré, while David Persaud competed in the Recurve Developmental Men category. In the Compound Beginner Under 15 Women category, Kasadiyah Baird competed alongside Naomi Onwufuju and Keyara Smith, who took part in the Compound Developmental Under 18 Women category. Javlyn Frett also competed in the Compound Developmental Women category, with Kellyann Tillack rounding out the squad in the Recurve Beginner Under 18 Women category.

Guided by coaches Ritseeniyah Georges and Patrick Smith, the BVI archers showed significant growth throughout the championship.

Jamaica, the host nation, fielded the largest team with 34 members, and the competition also saw strong participation from countries like the Bahamas, Guyana, the US Virgin Islands, and the United States. The high calibre of competition made the BVI’s medal haul even more remarkable, as the event brought together some of the region’s best archers.

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