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
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) archery team has departed for Kingston, Jamaica, to compete in the 2024 WAAm Caribbean Development Championship. Hosted by the Jamaica Archery Federation (JAI), the event runs from September 18 to 22 and will feature top talent from around the Caribbean and beyond.
The competition provides an opportunity for the BVI team, a mix of beginners and developmental archers, to test their skills against athletes from countries to leave their mark on the regional stage. Leading the charge in the Recurve Beginner Under 15 Men category is Matthew Keandré, while David Persaud will compete in the Recurve Developmental Men category. Both will be testing their skills in the qualification rounds for their respective categories.
The Compound Beginner Under 15 Women category sees Kasadiyah Baird aiming for success, while Naomi Onwufuju and Keyara Smith will represent the BVI in the Compound Developmental Under 18 Women category. Javlyn Frett also joins the developmental ranks in the Compound Developmental Women category, setting her sights on strong results.
Kellyann Tillack, competing in the Recurve Beginner Under 18 Women category, rounds out the squad, each determined to put BVI archery on the map.
Coaches Ritseeniyah Georges and Patrick Smith will be guiding the team through the competition, providing essential support and expertise to help the young athletes navigate this important event.
The competition will feature other archers from regional heavyweights like Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. Jamaica, the host nation, leads the pack with a 34-member contingent, while countries like Guyana and the US Virgin Islands (USVI) are also sending strong teams. The United States has joined the competition as well, bringing an additional level of intensity to the championship.
In Round 3 of the 45th Chess Olympiad, the British Virgin Islands notched its first win in the Open division, with Jhon Samuel securing a crucial victory on Board 2 against Bermuda.
The historic event, featuring a record-breaking 193 teams in the Open section and 181 squads in the Women’s competition, is being held in Budapest, Hungary, from September 10-23.
For more updates, follow BVI Chess Federation.
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