Local News
BVI Cricket Association Prepares to Launch Youth Coaching Program Following Safeguarding Training
The British Virgin Islands Cricket Association (BVICA) has taken a major step toward the development of youth cricket by completing its first Safeguarding Course for coaches, a prerequisite for launching a territory-wide Youth Cricket Coaching Program.
The course, held recently and facilitated by Morris Mark of the BVI Football Association, covered critical aspects of safeguarding, including child protection, ethical standards, and fostering supportive environments for young athletes. The nine participants who completed the training are now equipped to ensure the safety and well-being of youth cricketers, marking a pivotal moment for the sport’s development in the Virgin Islands.
“This training is an essential step in laying the foundation for youth cricket in the BVI,” said Acting BVICA President Richard Francis. “With safeguarding at the forefront, we can provide a secure and nurturing environment for our young players to excel. This initiative reflects our commitment to not just growing the sport, but doing so responsibly.”
The Youth Cricket Coaching Program, set to debut in the coming weeks, will introduce cricket to children across the islands while emphasizing skills development and personal growth. The program’s objective is to nurture a new generation of cricketers who are not only talented athletes but also well-rounded individuals.
Trainer and facilitator Morris Mark commended the BVICA for prioritizing safeguarding, noting that it is an essential component of modern sports coaching. “Creating safe spaces for young athletes is critical to their development and enjoyment of the sport. These newly trained coaches now have the knowledge and tools to make a lasting positive impact,” Mark said.
The program is expected to include coaching sessions, skill-building exercises, and opportunities for young players to engage in matches and tournaments. By incorporating safeguarding principles into every aspect of the program, the BVICA hopes to establish a gold standard for youth sports in the region.
“This initiative goes beyond cricket,” Francis added. “It’s about building a culture where sports can thrive, and where every young player feels safe, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential.”
The BVICA’s focus on safeguarding aligns with broader efforts to elevate the standards of youth sports in the Virgin Islands. The association’s leadership has expressed optimism that the Youth Cricket Coaching Program will inspire a deeper appreciation for the sport, while simultaneously preparing local talent to compete on larger stages in the future.
Soaring electricity bills, rising fuel prices and increasing import costs are placing growing pressure on households and businesses across the British Virgin Islands, prompting Claude Skelton Cline to warn during his Honestly Speaking radio program on May 19 that the territory should prepare for more difficult economic conditions and consider whether emergency measures may be needed to ease the burden.
Speaking on ZBVI Radio, Skelton Cline said the territory was entering a period of prolonged financial strain and urged residents, businesses and government officials to plan accordingly.
“The most dangerous position to be in right now is to be unprepared,” Skelton Cline said. “This thing is only going to intensify.”
Skelton Cline said higher utility costs were affecting nearly every sector of the economy, from households struggling to pay monthly bills to businesses facing decisions about staffing and operating expenses.
“These monthly utility bills are so exorbitant,” he said. “There is a domino effect of whether you can keep the same amount of staff.”
He questioned whether the government should consider using reserve funds and other measures to help stabilize fuel prices and provide relief to consumers.
“At what point does any of that trigger that creates a national state of emergency in this country?” Skelton Cline asked.
Skelton Cline noted that the territory has reserve funds and argued that policymakers should examine whether some of those resources could be used to reduce the impact of rising costs.
“There’s no reason why we should not be locking in fuel prices,” he said.
In addition to government action, Skelton Cline encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce household expenses, including limiting electricity use and unplugging appliances when not in use.
“There are some things that are beyond our control, but there are some things that are within our control,” he said. “We must control those things.”
Skelton Cline said the British Virgin Islands had navigated difficult economic periods before and urged residents not to lose confidence.
“We cannot surrender to our frustration,” he said. “We cannot surrender to our cynicism and our skepticism.”
His comments come as consumers and business owners continue to face higher costs for electricity, fuel and imported goods, increasing concerns about the broader impact on employment, household budgets and the territory’s economy.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards has announced 64 nominees across 13 categories for its 2026 ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations for contributions in fields including sports, entrepreneurship, media, music, agriculture and public service, founder and executive producer Kareem Nelson Hull said.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards was established to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of the Territory.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is monitoring an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius that has resulted in several confirmed cases and three deaths, but Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, and Dr. Ronald Georges, Chief Medical Officer, said Monday that the risk to the Virgin Islands remains low.
The ministry said the reported cases involve passengers and crew aboard the Dutch expedition vessel, which was operating outside the Caribbean region. Health officials said there is no evidence of any cases in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Honourable Wheatley said the ministry is working with regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance systems.
“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, is considered low,” Dr. Georges said. “We are utilizing enhanced surveillance systems and maintaining routine port health inspections and preparedness protocols to ensure the continued protection of public health.”
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease that is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon.
The ministry said the rodent species typically associated with the virus are not commonly found in Caribbean environments, further reducing the likelihood of local transmission.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with rodents and areas where they may be present, safely clean and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent waste, maintain proper sanitation and waste disposal, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever or respiratory distress.
Early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble the flu but may progress to more serious respiratory complications if not treated promptly.
“We will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to ensure that any potential risks are identified early and managed effectively,” Dr. Georges said. “Protecting the health and safety of our residents remains our top priority.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Rising Costs Will Intensify, Skelton Cline Warns as He Suggests Emergency Measures
Coronavirus disease 2019
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