The inaugural Prison Basketball League, an initiative aimed at promoting rehabilitation through sports, concluded this week at His Majesty’s Prison in the British Virgin Islands, with Team Echo claiming the championship title.

In the final matchup, Team Echo defeated Team Charlie 52-39, securing their place at the top. Earlier in the day, Team Bravo clinched third place with a 47-37 win over Charlie Remand.

The league, organized in collaboration with the BVI Amateur Basketball Association, is part of the prison’s broader strategy to support personal development, discipline, and teamwork among inmates.

Lecoy Hughes was named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and also led in total rebounds. Rudy Vanterpool topped the scoring charts, earning recognition as the league’s highest point scorer.

Superintendent of Prisons Jay Kendall praised the league’s impact, highlighting the role of sports in the rehabilitation process.

“The success of this basketball league reflects our commitment to creating meaningful and progressive rehabilitation opportunities within our facility,” Mr. Kendall said. “Sports provide an outlet for structure, teamwork, and emotional regulation — all vital components of personal development. I’m incredibly proud of the men who participated and showed resilience, sportsmanship, and determination throughout the tournament.”

Mr. Kendall also extended his gratitude to the prison staff and community partners who supported the initiative, including Riteway Supermarket and One Mart Supermarket.

Meanwhile, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, underscored the significance of such programmes in supporting inmate rehabilitation.

“Rehabilitation must go beyond confinement. It should challenge, inspire, and uplift,” Honourable Wheatley said. “This basketball league represents a progressive and human-centred approach to rehabilitation that gives inmates a sense of purpose and helps them develop critical life skills. I commend the leadership of His Majesty’s Prison for thinking outside the box, and I also thank the BVI Amateur Basketball Association for their partnership and mentorship.”

Prison officials have indicated plans to expand rehabilitation efforts, including additional skill-building workshops and mentorship programmes aimed at preparing inmates for successful reintegration into society.

With flags raised high and spirits even higher, the 52nd CARIFTA Games officially opened this afternoon at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) delegation joined over 20 participating nations in a vibrant and colorful opening ceremony that signaled the start of three days of premier youth athletics in the Caribbean.

Team BVI, who departed the Territory on Thursday, April 17, arrived eager and ready to compete for podium finishes, national records, and personal bests. Accompanying the team are Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Sharie de Castro, along with coaches, officials, BVIAA executives, and proud parents.

The BVI Delegation includes:

Athletes: Antuan Maduro, Andre Allen, Sam’Asia Leonard, Macayla Logan, McKenzie Crabbe, Jameila Chambers, Shyra Stoutt, Ty’Rique “TyTy” Charles, J’Den Jackson, Othniel Gillings, A’Sia McMaster, Kijana Callwood, Makeda Christopher, Romeena Davis, Jahrime Allen, Latriel Williams, Jah’Kyla Morton, Deneil Clarke, Tiondre “Dre” Frett, Jabari Pemberton, Mario Carter, Jaheem Lennard-Joseph, Lashawn Gibbs, Shannia Johnson

Officials and Support Staff: Minister Sharie de Castro, Coach Winston Potter, Shaumal Donovan, BVIAA President Steve Augustine, BVIAA General Secretary Stephanie Russ Penn

The 2025 Games, running from April 19–21, mark the return of the competition to Trinidad and Tobago for the first time since 2005. Expectations are high as the region’s top junior athletes gather to compete in track and field events, with powerhouses like Jamaica, The Bahamas, and Barbados already making strong impressions in preliminary sessions.

This year’s campaign builds on Team BVI’s impressive showing in 2024 at the CARIFTA Games in Grenada. M’kenzii Crabbe made headlines with a 12.40-second finish in the Girls U17 100m heats, while Tiondre “Dre” Frett captured bronze in the Boys U20 200m with a time of 22.18 seconds—highlighting the BVI’s growing strength on the regional athletic stage.

Team BVI is ready to make their mark on Caribbean athletics once again.

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) rugby team secured the Plate at the 2025 Kowloon RugbyFest, held on March 27 in Hong Kong. The one-day, 10-a-side tournament drew teams from around the world, with the BVI squad advancing through the competition to emerge Plate champions.

This year’s RugbyFest featured more than 30 teams across multiple divisions, hosted at King’s Park Sports Ground. The tournament, organized annually by the Kowloon Rugby Club, is one of the largest social rugby events in Asia and includes elite, open, and veteran brackets.

The BVI squad, which included several young players making their debut debut outside of the Caribbean and Central America.—Roquan Hemmering, D’Von Jones, Jayden Williams, and Gethin Jones—recorded a series of wins and competitive matchups en route to the Plate final. Their performance earned them a place among the top contenders of the tournament’s second-tier playoff round.

In addition to their tournament participation, BVI players were invited to join the Pot Bellied Pigs RFC in a memorial rugby match honoring the victims of the 2002 Bali bombings. The match took place as part of the club’s annual tribute event during RugbyFest. The Pot Bellied Pigs, based in Asia, are known for combining rugby with charitable initiatives and commemorative matches.

The BVI team’s involvement in the memorial game marked the first time the territory was represented in that capacity at RugbyFest.

ADVERTISEMENT: