Sports
BVI athlete Kimberly Smith bags silver in indoor long jump

Kimberly Smith (first from right) celebrates her silver medal.
By MERRICK ANDREWS and CATHY RICHARDS, JTV News Editors
(JTV News) — Another British Virgin Islands (BVI) athlete shone at an indoor track and field meet in the United States of America (USA) this weekend.
Kimberly Smith, representing Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, USA, placed second in the women’s long jump final — achieving a personal best and losing the gold by a mere two centimeters — at the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Indoor Track & Field Championships in Pittsburg, Kansas on Saturday, the second day of the three-day meet.
Her silver-medal-winning performance of 5.88 meters or 19 feet and 3.5 inches occurred on her second attempt. She had other efforts of 5.69m (first attempt), 5.45m (third attempt), 5.77m (fourth attempt), 5.74m (fifth attempt), and 5.56m (sixth and final attempt).

Kimberly Smith on the run up in the women’s long jump final for Washburn University

Kimberly Smith in full flight for Washburn University in the women’s long jump.
Smith, a freshman at Washburn, lost the gold by narrowly as the winner, Kayla Goodwin, a sophomore at Central Missouri, recorded 5.90m (19′ 4.25″) on her fifth attempt — also a personal-best performance. She had other results of 5.69m, 5.86m, 5.67m, 5.76m, and 5.89m, in that order.
From third to fifth place also earned personal bests: Third place went to Auna Childress, a sophomore at Pittsburg St. with 5.85m (19′ 2.25″); fourth place went to Luisarys Toledo, a sophomore at NW Missouri, with 5.80m (19′ 0.25″) and fifth place went to freshman Makayla Watson of Pittsburg St, 5.74m (18′ 10″).

Beyonce Defreitas
The other BVI athlete who shone over the weekend is University of Central Florida (UCF) senior Beyonce Defreitas, who won gold and bronze in the women’s 200 meters and 60 meters, respectively, at the Feb. 24-25 American Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships held in Birmingham, Alabama.
Defreitas clocked 23.34 to win the 200m final after producing the second-fastest time, 23.73, in the preliminaries.
The former Elmore Stoutt High School student went on to take third place overall and the bronze in the women’s 60m final in 7.36 seconds.
She entered the final with the fastest time of 7.34.
Her UCF teammate won the final in 7.29.

British Virgin Islands athlete Beyonce Defreitas represents University of Central Florida
Local News
Five Coaches Earn Concacaf C Licenses as BVIFA Expands Youth Development Efforts
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.
Local News
BVI Rugby Set to Open RAN Sevens Campaign in Trinidad
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.


Local News
Bascombe Wins Bronze at Masters Championships in Mexico City
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.
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