Sports

Curaçao wins ECASC Women’s Softball Qualifier; BVI places 4th

Published

2 years ago

March 7, 2023

Editor

(WBSC) – Back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the fifth inning gave Curaçao a 3-2 win over the host team in the final of the English Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation (ECASC) Women’s Softball Qualifier (March 1-5).

Curaçao earned a spot in the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador after a narrow 3-2 win over hosts US Virgin Islands, in the final of the English Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation (ECASC) Women’s Fast-Pitch Tournament Qualifier, at the National Park Ball Field in St. John.

A total of six teams made the trip to the US Virgin Islands, aiming to claim the last available spot for the El Salvador 2023 Games: Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Jamaica, Sint Maarten and US Virgin Islands.

Curaçao went undefeated in the opening round to advance to the final, followed by the US Virgin Islands with a 4-1 record. Aruba (3-2) and the British Virgin Islands (2-3) qualified for the bronze medal game.

In the final, the host team took the lead in the first inning, thanks to a two-RBI single off the bat of Kiara Richards. Curaçao scored once in the fourth, on a bases-loaded walk, and one inning later Jandely Ricardo and Julisa Koffy hit back to back homers to give their team the decisive lead.

From the circle, J’dah Girigorie earned the win holding the USVI to three hits over seven innings, with a tournament-best 16 strikeouts.

Aruba clinched the bronze medal with a 9-8 walkoff win over the British Virgin Islands, in an electric game. Jennysela Tromp produced the game-winning run with a single in the bottom of the seventh.

BVI Head Coach Neville ‘Sheep’ Smith told the media he thinks the team played well despite the time they had to pactice and train.

Point standings

Local News

BVI Returns to OECS Swimming Championships, Secures Silver Medal

Published

7 days ago

November 14, 2024

Editor

After an eight-year hiatus, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Swimming Federation returned to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Swimming Championships with a six-member team at the 32nd annual event held from November 8–10 at the Shrewsbury Aquatic Center in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. This marked BVI’s first appearance since 2016, following setbacks from Hurricane Irma in 2017 that impacted athletic infrastructure and development programs.

Representing the BVI were Jai Potter (15-17), Kyla Potter (11-12), Arun Bissoondutt (9-10), Naya Bissoondutt (8 & Under), Skyler Steer (8 & Under), and William Vergel (8 & Under). Under the guidance of Coach Elsworth Phillip, the young athletes held their own against teams from 11 other territories including reigning champions Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and host nation St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

A standout performance was delivered by Kyla Potter, who claimed a silver medal in the 11-12 Girls 50m Butterfly with a time of 32.16, just 0.5 seconds shy of the gold. This impressive finish highlighted her potential among the region’s top young swimmers. Additionally, Kyla placed 4th in the 100m Butterfly, 6th in the 50m Breaststroke, and achieved competitive rankings across other events.

run Bissoondutt earned 9th place finishes in the 9-10 Boys 50m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle, while Skyler Steer placed in the top 10 in multiple events for the 8 & Under Girls, including an 8th place finish in the 25m Backstroke. William Vergel, competing in the 8 & Under Boys, placed 10th in the 25m Freestyle. Additionally, the team’s 10 & Under mixed 200m Freestyle relay, featuring Arun, Naya, Skyler, and William, secured a respectable 5th place.

At the conclusion of the championships, Antigua and Barbuda claimed their third consecutive OECS title with 1,419 points, followed by Grenada with 1,301.5 points and St. Vincent and the Grenadines with 1,102 points. The BVI finished in 7th place overall, earning 37 points, and celebrated this opportunity to renew its presence in regional swimming after years of rebuilding efforts.

Coach Phillip praised the athletes for their dedication, stating, “Our swimmers have demonstrated commendable focus and resilience. Kyla’s silver medal is a significant achievement and reflects the promising direction of our program.”

Local News

Ephraim Penn Elected President of Eastern Caribbean Olympic Association

Published

1 week ago

November 14, 2024

Editor

Ephraim Penn, President of the British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC), has been elected President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (ANOCES).

The election took place on Friday, 18 October, during the ANOCES General Assembly at the luxurious Sandals Beaches Resort in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Penn’s years of dedicated service to the Olympic movement, coupled with his strong leadership vision, played a significant role in his election.

Penn’s appointment heralds a renewed emphasis on regional collaboration within the Olympic framework. Upon accepting the role, he shared his aspirations for the organisation:

“I am honoured to serve as President of ANOCES, and I look forward to working closely with my colleagues in the Eastern Caribbean to advance sports development, support our athletes, and further promote the Olympic ideals,” Penn remarked. “Together, we will build a stronger and more unified sports community in the region.”

Under Penn’s leadership, the British Virgin Islands has seen transformative growth in both grassroots and elite sports, particularly in track and field, where the region has consistently outperformed on the international stage.

Penn will be joined by a team of experienced sports administrators. Dominica’s Billy Doctrove, a prominent figure in Caribbean sports and President of the Dominica NOC, has been elected Vice President of ANOCES. Additional key appointments include:

Keith Joseph (St Vincent and the Grenadines) – General Secretary
Glenville Jeffers (St Kitts and Nevis) – Treasurer
Cliff Williams (Antigua and Barbuda) – Committee Member

With this experienced leadership, ANOCES is poised to continue strengthening the Olympic movement and supporting athletes across the Eastern Caribbean.

The ANOCES team has a packed agenda, with their next meeting scheduled in Panama City, Panama, from 12 to 14 November 2024. This gathering will coincide with the Centennial Celebration of Centro Caribe Sport (CCS), formerly the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation (CACSO).

The summit in Panama City will offer ANOCES members a platform to discuss strategic priorities for the future. “This is a pivotal time for our region as we chart a path toward greater inclusivity and innovation in sports development,” said Billy Doctrove, the newly elected Vice President.

Sports administrators across the region have expressed optimism about the new leadership. “Ephraim Penn has consistently shown a remarkable ability to unite people and achieve ambitious goals,” commented Keith Joseph, General Secretary of ANOCES. “His vision and commitment will be crucial as we face the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Local News

Virgin Islands Coach Earns Bodybuilding PRO Card in The Bahamas

Published

2 weeks ago

November 10, 2024

Editor

Jermaine Henry, a celebrated coach with Alpha Fitness VI, earned his PRO bodybuilding card on Saturday, November 9, in The Bahamas. This new PRO status transforms Jermaine from a competitive contender into a professional, unlocking potential avenues for endorsements and international partnerships.

His track record includes a 6th-place finish at the renowned Joe Weider’s Olympia Amateur Bodybuilding Competition held on December 14, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Competing among over 400 athletes, he showcased his talent and dedication, elevating the Virgin Islands’ presence in the bodybuilding world.

Congratulations to Jermaine and the Alpha Fitness team!