Sports
BVIOC, BVIAA pay tribute to Patrick O. 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 💔.”
Five coaches were awarded their Concacaf C License certifications, the British Virgin Islands Football Association announced this week, marking a new step in the Territory’s push to strengthen youth football development. The certificates were presented by BVIFA Technical Director Paul Decle, who addressed the group alongside representatives of the association.
Decle, speaking at the brief presentation ceremony, underscored the responsibility that accompanies the new qualification. “Your role now is to develop the future of football,” he said. “The mandate from the BVIFA to the new C License coaches is to put in the work and develop the youth — on and off the field.”
The Concacaf C License Course is designed to improve coaching standards across the region by focusing on player development, session planning, and youth-centered instruction. Completion of the program allows coaches to work more extensively within national grassroots and youth football structures.
BVIFA officials described the accomplishment as part of the association’s wider effort to strengthen coaching capacity, improve technical standards, and expand youth outreach programs across the islands.
The newly licensed coaches are expected to support BVIFA training initiatives, youth academies, and upcoming development programs scheduled throughout the 2024–25 calendar.
The British Virgin Islands men’s rugby sevens team will begin its Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens campaign today, Nov. 21 in Arima, Trinidad, with scheduled matches against St. Lucia at 10:28 a.m. and Turks and Caicos at 2:28 p.m. at Larry Gomes Stadium. The tournament runs Nov. 20–22 and will feature national teams from across the region.
The BVI squad is preparing for a demanding three-day slate that continues on Nov. 22 with games against St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Curaçao, followed by a matchup with the Bahamas on Nov. 23. Results from the tournament will contribute to regional rankings and, in some cases, influence qualification pathways for future international events.
Team officials released the full roster ahead of travel to Trinidad. The delegation includes Jayden Williams, Josiah Means, Jonathan McAauley, Gethin Jones, Bradrick Evans, Stuart Fee, Rossa Canavan, Roan Thornton, Denvin Jones, D’von Jones, Thomas Wilson, Roequan Hemerding, Robert Lind and Thomas Chapman. Coach James Morris and manager Mark Jones will oversee preparations.
Tournament organizers say RAN Sevens remains the primary development platform for rugby sevens in the Caribbean and North America, offering emerging unions consistent exposure to international-standard play. The BVI team is expected to complete final training sessions before taking the field Friday morning.
Further updates will follow once competition gets underway.
Courtney Bascombe earned a bronze medal in the men’s 100 metres at the North, Central American and Caribbean Masters Athletics Championships in Mexico City after a strong showing in both rounds of competition.
Bascombe advanced to the final after winning his preliminary heat on Friday with a time of 11.43 seconds. He improved in the medal round on Saturday, clocking 11.35 seconds to finish third overall.
The regional Masters Championships bring together veteran athletes from across the Americas and the Caribbean, competing in track and field disciplines across multiple age categories. The event is sanctioned by the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) and recognises athletes over 35 years of age.
Governor’s Office Delivers Trauma Risk Management Training to Frontline Officers in Virgin Islands
Maya Marcellin Departs for Teen Universe International Pageant in Nicaragua
Andrea Wilson brings Caribbean colour to the NYFW debut
