Sports
Sofball: BVI women’s national team heads to regional tournament
A member of the BVI women’s softball national team. * Photo credit: CM Farrington
(JTV News) — Members of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) women’s softball national team are scheduled to depart the territory on Tuesday, Feb. 28 for St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands where they will participate in the 2023 Eastern Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation (ECASC) Women’s Fast Pitch Qualifying Championship.
The World Baseball Softball Confederation-sanctioned event takes place from March 1-5 at the National Park Ball Field, St. John, with six teams: Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands, Aruba, Curacao, St.Maarten, and the BVI.
The winning team will automatically qualify for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in San Salvador, El Salvador in June 2023.
According to a press release, the Virgin Islands Softball – Baseball Association (VISBA) distributed official letters on February 3, 2023, congratulating its players for making the 2022-2024 women’s national team.
The press release further stated: “The selection process for the 2022-2024 Women’s Softball National Team consisted of members from the VISBA’s executive body identifying 33 elite female players to invite for tryouts. Of the 33 identified players, 24 players were selected to make up the 2022-2024 national team roster.
“To meet the 16-player roster requirements for the 2023 Eastern Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation (ECASC) Championship in St. John, USVI, from March 1-5, the team was grouped into Team A and Team B – to give the coaches a competitive selection pool of athletes playing in various positions in preparation for upcoming competitions.
“Team A consists of Akira Phillip, Bria Smith, Claury Scatliffe, Dariér Malone, Javlyn Frett, Jelisa Potter, Jheane Niles, Kaynesha Stoutt, Kennisha Powell, Kimiya Matthias, Lil-Makeda Fahie, Marisa Malone, Melanie Stoutt, Shauliqua Fahie, Sheniqua Fahie-Johnson and Thea Cooke.
“Team B consists of Bianca Brewley, Chandni Wattley, Che’Vaunne Richardson, Kiara Woodley, Kimmesha Adams, Shaika Jeffers, Shanika Forbes, and Tyalia Nibbs.
“In the event of a player from Team A not being able to attend the event due to an injury, lack of commitment to practices, a suspension or any other reason, a player from Team B will move up to Team A for the qualifying tournament and other games in the future.
“After every tournament, the teams will return to one group, and players will work towards making the official roster for that specific tournament. ”
The coaching staff will include Head Coach/Manager Neville “Sheep” Smith; Assistant Manager/Pitching Coach, Allen “Woodrow” Smith; and Assistant Coaches and Trainers, Shamouri Robinson and Demoi Hodge, the press release stated.
“Chief Umpire and Vice President for VISBA, Glenford “Chappy” Maduro, will represent the Virgin Islands as the only certified BVI umpire. At the same time, President of VISBA, Rhodni Skelton, will attend ECASC executive meetings on February 28, 2023,” the release further stated.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1
Curacao vs Aruba – 12 p.m.
Jamaica vs BVI – 3 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies – 6 p.m.
St. Maarten vs USVI – 7 p.m.
THURSDAY, MARCH 2
Curacao vs Jamaica – 10 a.m.
BVI vs St. Maarten – 1 p.m.
Aruba vs St. Maarten – 4 p.m.
Aruba vs USVI – 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, MARCH 3
St. Maarten vs Jamaica – 11 a.m.
BVI vs Aruba – 2 p.m.
USVI vs BVI – 5 p.m.
USVI vs Curacao – 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, MARCH 4
BVI vs Curacao – 11 a.m.
Curacao vs St. Maarten – 2 p.m.
Jamaica vs Aruba – 5 p.m.
SUNDAY, MARCH 5
4th vs 3rd – 1 p.m.
2nd vs 1st – 4 p.m.
CLOSING CEREMONIES
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.
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