Sports
Athletics: Dag Samuels development meet #4 this Saturday
By MERRICK ANDREWS
Online News Editor
The fourth event in the Dag Samuels development meet series is slated to take place on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds in Road Town, Tortola, the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA) has reported.
As is customary, field events are scheduled to open the morning session of the development meet while the first track event will begin in the afternoon.
At 10 a.m., action is scheduled to get underway in the high jump, under 17 to open.
The afternoon field events session is set to start with the ball throw, under 9 to under 11, at 1:30 p.m.; and long jump, under 13 to under 15 (1:30 p.m.). This will be followed by the shot put, under 15 to open at 3 p.m. and the discus throw, under 17 to open at 4:30 p.m.
The first track event gets underway at 1:40 p.m. along with the following events:
- 400m hurdles, under 20 to open (1:40 p.m.)
- 400m, under 15 to under 17 (1:50 p.m.)
- 400m, under 20 to open (2:05 p.m.)
- 100m/110m hurdles, under 17 to open (2:20 p.m.)
- 100m, under 15 to under 17 (2:30 p.m.)
- 100m, under 20 to open (2:45 p.m.)
- 800m open (3:05 p.m.)
- 120m, under 9 (3:15 p.m.)
- 150m, under 11 to under 13 (3:25 p.m.)
- 200m, under 15 to under 17 (4 p.m.)
- 200m, under 20 to open (4:20 p.m.)
- 4x100m (5 p.m.)
The costs for entry into the event are: $1 for children under 12, $3 at the gate, and $10 for inside parking.
Feb. 14 was the registration deadline.
The BVIAA is encouraging the public to come out and support the athletes.
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BVI Barracudas Shine at 2024 VISF Short Course Championships with Record Medal Haul
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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BVI Archery Team Returns with 9 Medals from Regional Championship in Jamaica
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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