Sports
BVIFA working to revive local women’s football: Greenaway
By MERRICK ANDREWS
Online News Editor
A British Virgin Islands women’s football league, run entirely by women.
That’s the ultimate goal of BVI Football Association Competitions Manager, Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway, who’s spearheading this Saturday’s Women’s Football Festival on Virgin Gorda.
The Festival, which will be held between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., is one step towards reviving women’s football in the territory.
According to a press release from the BVI Football Association (BVIFA), women — during the festival — will be exposed to a number of activities besides the skills used in the game, including nutrition, blood sugar, blood pressure checks, communication, media, conditioning and physiotherapy.
Sprinter, Karene King, will be the guest speaker on both Virgin Gorda and Tortola, the release stated.
“The focus of all the presentations in these two events will be solely by women, which I think is very important,” Greenaway was quoted as saying in the press release. “The aim is to eventually see a Women’s League run entirely by women. Since taking up the position, I have come across a number of enthusiastic, dedicated, competent women with the requisite skills and they know what they want. I’m just the facilitator in the process.”
In November and early December, the BVIFA said “meetings with women were held on Virgin Gorda and Tortola, to get an understanding of their concerns and what they’d like to see for themselves. Their respective ideas were canvassed and having a Women’s Football Festival on both Virgin Gorda and Tortola, was seen as an important event in bringing women together, as building blocks for future development”.
“There are a number of women in the process of obtaining their coaching license and at the end of January, several completed a referees course,” Greenaway was further quoted as saying in the release.
“Chandni Wattley and Shevorne “Sha Sha” Vanterpool for example, have been the first two women to work in men league games as assistant referees. Vanterpool and Keliene Smith—both from Virgin Gorda— worked a Feb 5 men’s game in Virgin Gorda, becoming the first two women from the island to do so, so the foundation for women’s development is being laid. They will also be part of the foundation for a women’s league,” Greenaway added.
On Saturdays, the BVIFA said Coach Cassandra “Coach Cass” has been working with a number of girls in Greenland and they’re joined by girls from Virgin Gorda.
“Coach Cass has a goal of having 100 girls in the program by Dec 31 and we’re seeing the response of girls to this quest,” Greenaway continued. “They will participate in the festival and help spread the seeds for getting their peers into the football program.”
After an eight-year hiatus, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Swimming Federation returned to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Swimming Championships with a six-member team at the 32nd annual event held from November 8–10 at the Shrewsbury Aquatic Center in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. This marked BVI’s first appearance since 2016, following setbacks from Hurricane Irma in 2017 that impacted athletic infrastructure and development programs.
Representing the BVI were Jai Potter (15-17), Kyla Potter (11-12), Arun Bissoondutt (9-10), Naya Bissoondutt (8 & Under), Skyler Steer (8 & Under), and William Vergel (8 & Under). Under the guidance of Coach Elsworth Phillip, the young athletes held their own against teams from 11 other territories including reigning champions Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and host nation St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
A standout performance was delivered by Kyla Potter, who claimed a silver medal in the 11-12 Girls 50m Butterfly with a time of 32.16, just 0.5 seconds shy of the gold. This impressive finish highlighted her potential among the region’s top young swimmers. Additionally, Kyla placed 4th in the 100m Butterfly, 6th in the 50m Breaststroke, and achieved competitive rankings across other events.
run Bissoondutt earned 9th place finishes in the 9-10 Boys 50m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle, while Skyler Steer placed in the top 10 in multiple events for the 8 & Under Girls, including an 8th place finish in the 25m Backstroke. William Vergel, competing in the 8 & Under Boys, placed 10th in the 25m Freestyle. Additionally, the team’s 10 & Under mixed 200m Freestyle relay, featuring Arun, Naya, Skyler, and William, secured a respectable 5th place.
At the conclusion of the championships, Antigua and Barbuda claimed their third consecutive OECS title with 1,419 points, followed by Grenada with 1,301.5 points and St. Vincent and the Grenadines with 1,102 points. The BVI finished in 7th place overall, earning 37 points, and celebrated this opportunity to renew its presence in regional swimming after years of rebuilding efforts.
Coach Phillip praised the athletes for their dedication, stating, “Our swimmers have demonstrated commendable focus and resilience. Kyla’s silver medal is a significant achievement and reflects the promising direction of our program.”
The election took place on Friday, 18 October, during the ANOCES General Assembly at the luxurious Sandals Beaches Resort in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Penn’s years of dedicated service to the Olympic movement, coupled with his strong leadership vision, played a significant role in his election.
Penn’s appointment heralds a renewed emphasis on regional collaboration within the Olympic framework. Upon accepting the role, he shared his aspirations for the organisation:
“I am honoured to serve as President of ANOCES, and I look forward to working closely with my colleagues in the Eastern Caribbean to advance sports development, support our athletes, and further promote the Olympic ideals,” Penn remarked. “Together, we will build a stronger and more unified sports community in the region.”
Under Penn’s leadership, the British Virgin Islands has seen transformative growth in both grassroots and elite sports, particularly in track and field, where the region has consistently outperformed on the international stage.
Penn will be joined by a team of experienced sports administrators. Dominica’s Billy Doctrove, a prominent figure in Caribbean sports and President of the Dominica NOC, has been elected Vice President of ANOCES. Additional key appointments include:
- Keith Joseph (St Vincent and the Grenadines) – General Secretary
- Glenville Jeffers (St Kitts and Nevis) – Treasurer
- Cliff Williams (Antigua and Barbuda) – Committee Member
With this experienced leadership, ANOCES is poised to continue strengthening the Olympic movement and supporting athletes across the Eastern Caribbean.
The ANOCES team has a packed agenda, with their next meeting scheduled in Panama City, Panama, from 12 to 14 November 2024. This gathering will coincide with the Centennial Celebration of Centro Caribe Sport (CCS), formerly the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation (CACSO).
The summit in Panama City will offer ANOCES members a platform to discuss strategic priorities for the future. “This is a pivotal time for our region as we chart a path toward greater inclusivity and innovation in sports development,” said Billy Doctrove, the newly elected Vice President.
Sports administrators across the region have expressed optimism about the new leadership. “Ephraim Penn has consistently shown a remarkable ability to unite people and achieve ambitious goals,” commented Keith Joseph, General Secretary of ANOCES. “His vision and commitment will be crucial as we face the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Jermaine Henry, a celebrated coach with Alpha Fitness VI, earned his PRO bodybuilding card on Saturday, November 9, in The Bahamas. This new PRO status transforms Jermaine from a competitive contender into a professional, unlocking potential avenues for endorsements and international partnerships.
His track record includes a 6th-place finish at the renowned Joe Weider’s Olympia Amateur Bodybuilding Competition held on December 14, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Competing among over 400 athletes, he showcased his talent and dedication, elevating the Virgin Islands’ presence in the bodybuilding world.
Congratulations to Jermaine and the Alpha Fitness team!
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