Caesar set for Major League Soccer opportunity

December 24, 2014 by

By: VINO

Troy Caesar. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Troy Caesar. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Troy Caesar will be joining a whole host of other Regional Footballers at the second Major League Soccer (MLS)/Caribbean Football Union Player Combine from January 2- 5, 2015 in Puerto Rico.

Caesar, who plays for the National Team as well as the Ballstarz in the BVIFA Premier league attended the inaugural event back in January 2014, will be given another opportunity to perform in front of League scouts in the hope of earning an invitation to the 2015 Adidas MLS Player Combine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The second Caribbean Player Combine takes place Bayamón, Puerto Rico and features players age 18 to 21 from around the Caribbean.
Twenty-four players from the region took part in the inaugural Caribbean Player Combine in 2014 held in Antigua and two moved on to feature in the MLS Player Combine. This year, the four-day event will take place at Bayamón Football Club facilities and will include training sessions and games against local clubs.

“We’re excited to be returning to the Caribbean with the prospect of identifying some of the area’s top young talent,” MLS Executive Vice President Todd Durbin said in a statement. “Our league currently features more than 25 players from the Caribbean Islands, including Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago.”

“The Caribbean Football Union is extremely ecstatic about the second edition of this wonderful collaboration. Players throughout the union have now placed this event high within their calendar and see it as a major avenue in realizing their dream as a professional player,” Gordon Derrick, President of the Caribbean Football Union, said. “Providing meaningful advancement opportunities for our young talented players is one of our major corner stones and the MLS Caribbean Combine is that critical component in realizing this.”

The annual Adidas MLS Player Combine gives professional soccer scouts the opportunity to see top players in action prior to the annual MLS SuperDraft presented by Adidas. Participants have moved on to successful professional careers as well as participation in their national teams.

Filed Under: Football

BVI swimmers close out a year of historic firsts

December 13, 2014 by

By The BVI Swimming Federation

Elinah Philip proudly bears the BVI flag as she collects her gold for her first place finish in a time of 28.71 in the Girls 13-14 50m fly. She is flanked by silver medalist, Keely Maduro, of Aruba, and Amira Pilgrim of Trinidad and Tobago.

Elinah Philip proudly bears the BVI flag as she collects her gold for her first place finish in a time of 28.71 in the Girls 13-14 50m fly at the 2014 Carifta Games in Aruba.

The BVI Swimming Federation closes out 2014 with several historic firsts for the territory as it debuted on the world stage with appearances at the XX Commonwealth Games and at the 12th FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships. The year also saw the territory’s top swimmers scoring personal bests and setting national records.

The BVI swimming calendar started with a bang in April when, in her second appearance at the Carifta Games held in Aruba, 13 year-old Elinah Phillip captured a gold, a silver and two bronze medals while setting national records in each of those events and a Carifta record in the 50-metre butterfly. Sister Amarah Phillip, also competing at the Games, established a 50-metre freestyle personal best of 29.18 seconds.

Team BVI at the 2014 CARIFTA Swimming Championships in Aruba. From left to right: President of the BVI Swimming Federation Elsworth Philip, Secretary General Tracy Bradshaw, Amarah Philip and Elinah Philip Photo Credit: Provided

Team BVI at the 2014 CARIFTA Swimming Championships in Aruba. From left to right: President of the BVI Swimming Federation Elsworth Philip, Secretary General Tracy Bradshaw, Amarah Philip and Elinah Philip
Photo Credit: Provided

“They both work hard all the time so we were very pleased with these outcomes,” said Elsworth Phillip, father of the girls and President of the BVI Swimming Federation. “In the next few years we hope to be able to send more swimmers to regional and international meets and we’re pleased that Amarah and Elinah are blazing the path, so to speak.”

The sisters went on to participate in the Scottish Nationals later that month but the spotlight on them intensified when they made their inaugural appearance at the XX Commonwealth Games also in Scotland, three months later in July. Their participation marked the first time swimmers have represented the BVI at the Games.

5 swimmers from the Makos Swim Club, attended the St. Thomas Swimming Association’s September Kick Off meet.

5 swimmers from the Makos Swim Club, attended the St. Thomas Swimming Association’s September Kick Off meet.

Later in the year, five swimmers from the Makos Swim Club, Kayla Roberts, Tia Roberts, Gisselle Archibald Bowers, Chakia Smith and Jayden Marshall, attended the St. Thomas Swimming Association’s September Kick Off meet. All five earned top three places in at least two of their individual events and several competitors had personal bests.

The September Kick Off in the USVI paved the way for ten athletes, a record number, to represent the BVI at the 24th OECS Swimming Championships held in St. Lucia in early November where Elinah went on to shatter five records over the weekend en route to winning 10 of the territory’s 15-medal haul.

She swam the fastest ever 200-metre IM (2:33.20), 50-metre Butterfly (29.75) and 100-metre Freestyle (59.83) in OECS history and surpassed her previous best times in the 100-metre Butterfly, and the 50-metre Freestyle. Her performance of 1:09.24 in the Butterfly was the new OECS best by more than a second. In the 50-metre Freestyle, her time of 27.52 was almost a second better than what is now second best.

In the meantime, Amarah struck silver in the 15-17 girls 100 breaststroke at 1:16.89, then tied St. Lucia’s Thalia Bergasse in the 50 freestyle as both clocked 29.39 seconds. The 15-year old also picked up silver in the 100-metre butterfly, the 50-metre backstroke and the 50-metre butterfly silver at 31.03. Amarah took fifth in three events: The 200 freestyle in 2:25.71, the 50 breaststroke in 40.02, and the 400 backstroke at 5:17.06.

“I think it was an excellent showing by the team though not everybody medalled,” Mr. Phillip said, adding that “in addition to Amarah and Elinah, we have some younger ones coming up who did great and showed a high degree of determination. Competing at this level gave them a boost and showed them the potential in the sport.”

Nine of the swimmers went on to complete their 2014 swim year with good performances at the USVI Short Course Championships in November, winning several medals. Competing for Team BVI were Jaden Marshall, Keyon Sampson, Kdejah Sampson, Kyla Roberts, Tia Roberts, Kassia Haymer, Makiva Christopher, Makeda Christopher, Chakia Smith.

Meanwhile, the BVI was represented at the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in early December by Amarah and Elinah who both competed in the 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle and the 50-metre and 100-metre butterfly events. Organized in even years, the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) gather the world’s fastest swimmers for a five-day, top-level showdown in a 25-metre pool. This year the event was held in Doha, Qatar.

“We’re very excited about how all of our swimmers did because it says a lot about how the sport has grown in just a few years and with the progress made by all the youngsters,” said Mr. Phillip. He added that “we expect this growth to continue as the sport is put on a more secure footing and to see more youngsters recognize it as a viable option for them if they’re not really into track and field or the more traditional sports here in the BVI.”

The BVI Swimming Federation would like to thank the following individuals, businesses and organizations who supported the BV’s swimmers throughout 2014:
Prospect Reef Resort
Christina Yates
Quality Construction
National Bank of the Virgin Islands
Bitter End Yacht Club
Drake Traders
Scotia Bank
Social Security Board
Virgin Islands Base Entertainment
CCT
Shell Gas Station
One Mart
Bobby’s Market Place
Mellow Moods
Alwin “Locca” Garraway
Maria’s by the Sea Hotel
Martin Kenney & Co. Ltd.
Harney Westwood & Riegels
BVI Apparel
BVI Olympic Committee
Ministry of Education
Byron Wheatley (Travel Wize)
All who contributed and helped with our sponsorship forms

Filed Under: Swimming

23 nominated for BVI Athletes of the Year presented by Sol

December 10, 2014 by

By: BVIAA

A collage featuring some of the BVI's Youth, Jr. and Senior athletes in the running to be named Athlete of the Year presented by Sol on December 27. Photo credit: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

A collage featuring some of the BVI’s Youth, Jr. and Senior athletes in the running to be named Athlete of the Year presented by Sol on December 27. Photo credit: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

Following the second longest season in its history that ended on November 28, the BVI Athletics Association is gearing up for its 6th Athletes Awards Gala, where its partner Sol will dole out the 2014 Athletes of the Year Awards in Youth, Junior and Senior divisions.

On the heels of a competitive and successful season, there has been a record 23 athletes nominated for the awards by Sol in all six divisions.

The forthcoming event is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec 27 at the Moorings. Donation is $50 single and $85 per couple.

Sol will also dole out awards to athletes who have established a National Records that stood at season’s end. Records began tumbling on January 15 and ended on May 18.

In all, there were 13 National Records established including 12 individual marks during the season. A record was also established in the Jr. Girls 4x100m Relay.

During the evening, the Most Outstanding Athletes Awards from U9 through the Open Divisions in track events, field events and combined events will be presented as well as the Most Improved Athlete, and the Comeback Athlete of the Year.

The Coach of the Year will also be named. Awards for Road Racing will also be presented and two early contributors to the development of the organization will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Following are the respective nominees in the different divisions:

Athletes of The Year Nominees presented by Sol

2014 Youth Male Athlete of the Year—Stephen Emmanuel, Kyron Walwyn, Jelani Norman, Djimon Gumbs

2014 Youth Female Athlete of the Year—Beyonce DeFreitas, Arianna Hayde, Zara Brown, Xiomara Malone, Izariah Frett, Zacharia Frett

2014 Jr. Male Athlete of the Year –Kryon McMaster, Akeem Bradshaw, Kadeon Potter

2014 Jr. Female Athlete of the Year—Trevia Gumbs, Tynelle Gumbs, Nelda Huggins

2014 Sr. Male Athlete of the Year—Eldred Henry, Keron Stoute, Shaquoy Stephens

2014 Sr. Female Athlete of the Year—Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Karene King, Ashley Kelly, Chantel Malone

 

Most Outstanding Track & Field Performances Nominees

2014 Most Outstanding Combined Events Female Athlete—Kala Penn, Tynelle Gumbs, Trevia Gumbs, Arianna Hayde

2014 Most Outstanding Combined Events Male Athlete—Keron Stoute, Eldred Henry

2014 Most Outstanding Men’s Open Track Athlete—Shaquoy Stephens

2014 Most Outstanding Women’s Open Track Athlete—Karene King, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Ashley Kelly

2014 Most Outstanding Men’s Open Field Athlete—Keron Stoute, Eldred Henry

2014 Most Outstanding Women’s Open Field Athlete—Chantel Malone

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-20 Track Athlete— Khari Herbert, Tarique Moses, Ryan Joseph

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-20 Track Athlete—Taylor Hill

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-20 Field Athlete—Kevin Vanterpool, Aundre Turnbull

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-20 Field Athlete—Tynelle Gumbs, Trevia Gumbs

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-18 Track Athlete— Ronique Todman, Kyron McMaster, Akeem Bradshaw,

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-18 Track Athlete— Deya Erickson, Nelda Huggins, L’Tsha Fahie, Shaniah Caul,

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-18 Field Athlete— Tahj Malone, Akeem Bradshaw, Kadeon Potter, Dylan Moses,

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-18 Field Athlete—Kala Penn, Ashley Penn, Dekoya Hodge

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-15 Track Athlete— Joshua Hill, Jelani Norman, Diamante Gumbs, Mikkel Bassue Leshawn Lindo,

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-15 Track Athlete— Zakharia Frett, Arianna Hayde, Beyonce DeFreitas, Akada Charles

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-15 Field Athlete—Diamante Gumbs, Jelani Norman, Rakeel Jack, Djimon Gumbs

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-15 Field Athlete—Esmerelda Paul, Arianna Hayde, Myka Walwyn

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under 13 Field Athlete—J’Quaan Smith, Koen Penn

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under 13 Field Athlete— Dominique Moses, Chassidy George, Xiomara Malone

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-13 Track Athlete— Jaleel Croal, J’Quaan Smith, Koen Penn, Wanyae Bell

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-13 Track Athlete—Xiomara Malone, Zara Brown, Alisha Hayde, D’Neigh Williams, Tashira Edwards

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-11 Track Athlete—Sh’ael Lavacia, Kybah Dawson, Kyron Walwyn, Zachariah Jackson

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-11 Track Athlete—Akeela McMaster, Izariah Frett, Ariyah Smith, Abriel Maglorie

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under 11 Field Athlete— Sh’ael Lavacia, Kyron Walwyn, Kybah Dawson, Stephen Emmanuel

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under 11 Field Athlete—Izariah Frett, Kaelyah Liburd, Ariyah Smith, Akeela McMaster

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under 9 Field Athlete—Asia McMaster, Kala Bratwaithe

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under 9 Track Athlete— Chidinma Emlander, Asia McMaster, Kala Bratwaithe, Adaejah Hodge

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under 9 Field Athlete—Jobari Pembeton K’Shawn Martin, Kahleem Lettsome

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under 9 Track Athlete— Sean Samuel, Kahleem Lettsome, Johari Lacey,

 

Collegiate Performer of the Year nominees

Keron Stoute, Garnett Vanterpool, Eldred Henry

 

Road Race Series Athletes of the Year nominees:

Men: Curvin Andrews, Ravi Sukhu, Julius Farley

Women: Rosmond Johnson, NiMade Oniashi, Tullalah Kinkead, Katrina Crumpler

 

College Race Series Cross Country Awards

Open Men & Open Women— Khiry Creque and Tarique “Tweety” Moses-Katrina Crumpler

 

Most improved Athletes nominees

Men—Kadeon Potter, Kyron McMaster, Akeem Bradshaw

Women—Deya Erickson, Dekoya Hodge, Arianna Hayde

 

Colonial Comeback Athlete of the Year—Kiara Huggins

Filed Under: Athletics

VI national rugby squad exit Mexico 2014 NACRA 7s tournament after quarter finals

December 9, 2014 by

By: BVIplatinum.com

BVI rugby squad at the North America Caribbean Rugby Association's (NACRA) 7s tournament in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo: Provided

BVI rugby squad at the North America Caribbean Rugby Association’s (NACRA) 7s tournament in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo: Provided

A string of tough losses and lots of lessons to take away as the VI national squad concluded the North America Caribbean Rugby Association’s (NACRA) 7s tournament held December 3 -4 in Mexico City, Mexico.

On the second and final day of the tournament, Pool B teams, BVI and Barbados clashed in the quarterfinals, but despite some good opportunities, the BVI squad lost the encounter, 38-0. Despite the final score, the BVI showed a bit of improvement on the score of their very first game of the tournament which they lost to  Barbados, 69-0.

The loss against Barbados pushed the BVI into the plate section of the tournament where they faced Jamaica and while they managed to put points on the score sheet, Jamaica won, 43-14.

In their third game of the final day, the BVI faced a determined Bermuda squad. The final score was 33-0.

In the final analysis, the BVI team started preparations for the tournament in September. With several senior players unavailable for selection, including national captain, Donovan Staples, several players from the under-19 program were given an opportunity to play at a competitive level.

Head coach, Sherlock ‘Solo’ Solomon will have plenty of notes from the tournament to sift through as the BVI searches for improved performances at the regional level.

Guyana & Mexico Are Champs

While Mexico’s men’s and women’s teams both booked Cup Final spots in their respective divisions, it was the women who prevailed over Trinidad and Tobago to book a spot to Toronto and the 2015 Pan Am games.

Mexico’s women looked sharp in a one-sided 40-5 win.

The men appeared to have things under control, leading 21-7 at one point before Guyana showed the resolve and belief in themselves to score a penalty try with under a minute left to take the lead 33-28.

Guyana scored 26 points in its comeback, leaving the pro-Serpiente crowd shell shocked as they watched a nearly one minute discussion between the referees and assistant referees before the indication of a penalty try was given. Guyana absorbed the ensuing kick-off and kicked the ball into touch to take the win.

Ryan Gonsalves, Captain of the Guyanese team, said he and his teammates have a lot of belief in their ability to overcome adversity. “We have had this happen in 15s as well,” he said after the match. “We just stay calm and keep doing the right things and get back into the game.”

Rosie Riviera, Captain of the Mexican women’s team was beaming following the win. “To do this in front of our fans, our friends, our family is so amazing,” she said, adding, “This win was for everyone.”

Other women’s action saw Jamaica claim the Plate Final with a 12-5 win over St. Lucia.

In men’s action, Barbados finished the tournament in third place with a 17-14 win over Trinidad and Tobago.

The Plate Final saw Cayman Islands double up on Jamaica 22-11.

Both the finalists on the men’s side booked spots to the Toronto 2015 Pan Am games next July.

Filed Under: Rugby

Morgan and Ruscheinski win 2014 BVI Steelman

December 9, 2014 by

By BVI Triathlon Federation

BVI Tri Steelman 2014. Photo: Broadsword Communications

BVI Tri Steelman 2014. Photo: Broadsword Communications

On Saturday, Richard Morgan won his second BVI Steelman title and Tash Ruscheinski, hot off her recent Semi Steel win, her first. Richard covered the 51.5km race in 2 hours, 42 minutes and 30 seconds, while Tash completed the course in 2 hours, 51 minutes and 54 seconds. Neither of last year’s winners – Chris Ghiorse and Gillian Howe – defended their titles.

Guy Williamson, Richard’s nearest challenger, exited the swim a mere 15 seconds behind Richard and was well into the nine-lap ride around Beef Island, when he rode into a bike-eating pothole puncturing both tires and forcing him to retire. For the remainder of the race, Richard was able to take his foot off the gas.
Adrian Dale and Simon Cook rounded out the podium places for the Mens division, while Kay Reddy and Jenny McIvor were second and third in the Ladies division.

Richard won his first Steelman in 2012.

Four  teams competed – The Three Stooges, Drink Strong, Manuel’s Angels, and Team Carroll – with the Three Stooges (Paul Waldron, Laurent Keeble-Buckle and Dan Mitchell), taking the victory.

The BVI Steelman is an Olympic distance race with a 1.5km swim, 40km ride and 10km run, the last and most challenging event of the BVI Triathlon Federations’s annual calendar.

The Mens and Ladies records set in 2007 and 20111 respectively still stand: Mens: Chris Ghiorse, 2:27:03, 2007; Womens: Sally Blackmore, 2:49:45, 2011.

ABRIDGED RESULTS
Mens Indiviudal
Richard Morgan 2:42:30
, Adrian Dale 2:51:26
, Simon Cook 2:56:06
, Guy Williamson DNF

Ladies Individual
Tash Ruscheinski 2:51:54, 
Kay Reddy 2:58:17
, Jenny McIvor 3:02:13
, Rhiannon Jones N/A

Teams

The Three Stooges (Paul Waldron, Laurent Keeble-Buckle, Dan Mitchell) 2:37:54
, Drink Strong (Chris, Jonathan, Ciaran) 2:41:09
, Manuel’s Angels (Tia, Aurelie, Manuel) 3:03:05,    
Team Carroll (Sarah, Simon, Grant) 3:05:42

Full results

Event photos

Filed Under: Triathlon

U15 Girls cruise into top spot of Marlon Penn Women’s Nine-a-Side League

December 9, 2014 by

By: BVIFA

Ballstarz fights to keep the ball from ultimate match winners, U15's at Marlon Penn nine-a-side league. Photo: BVIFA

Ballstarz fights to keep the ball from ultimate match winners, U15’s at Marlon Penn Nine-a-side League. Photo: BVIFA

The U15 Girls cruised into top spot of the Marlon Penn Women’s Nine-a-Side League with an emphatic 2-0 win over the Ballstarz on Sunday 7th December at Greenlands Playing Field.

Keithreece Smith fired the U15’s ahead in the 18th minute after Lilly Pierce had won the ball from Laura Pompey and laid a perfect pass across the edge of the penalty box. The second came just two minutes later as Smith turned provider and Laresha Martin unleashed an unstoppable shot past Tevern David, deputizing in the Ballstarz goal.

League Table Marlon Penn Women’s Nine-a-Side

  Team PL WI DR LO PO GS GA GB
1 U15 Girls 4 2 1 1 7 5 1 +4
2 Panthers 4 2 1 1 7 5 6 -1
3 Ballstarz 4 1 1 2 4 3 5 -2
4 Avengers 4 0 3 1 3 3 4 -1

In the day’s earlier game the Panthers came from a goal down to beat the Avengers 2-1.

Kelienne Smith opened the scoring in the 12th minute, taking advantage of defensive hesitation to burst through and fire home from long range past Decima Lambert. The equalizer came early in the second half when Marie Lumley charged down a Brittany Peters clearance and got the luck of the bounce as the ball rebounded into the empty Ballstarz net. An own goal by Gloria Fahie secured all three points for the Panthers ten minutes later as she deflected in a shot by “CJ” Jackson.

Filed Under: Football

Youth attend Virgin Islands Volleyball Association Volley Fest

December 9, 2014 by

By: VINO

Nearly 50 young Volleyballers from half a dozen schools took part in the first Virgin Islands Volleyball Association Volley Fest event run by Jackie Weekes at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex on Saturday December 6, 2014. Photo: Charlie Jackson

Nearly 50 young Volleyballers from half a dozen schools took part in the first Virgin Islands Volleyball Association Volley Fest event run by Jackie Weekes at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex on Saturday December 6, 2014. Photo: Charlie Jackson

Nearly 50 young Volleyballers from half a dozen schools took part in the first Virgin Islands Volleyball Association Volley Fest event run by Jackie Weekes at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex on Saturday December 6, 2014.

The Volley Fest comes hot on the heels of the conclusion of the Youth Structure Programme that is being spearheaded by VIVA, through which the fundamentals of the sport is being introduced to the students and PE Teachers throughout the schools by Ms. Jacqueline Weekes.

“Today is going great with the turn out,” said Ms Weekes. “Even though there is so much going on and we had problems with transport for the outer islands.”

Ms. Weekes had hopes for a league to be set up but has come across many issues with equipment and getting assistance with the programme in the schools. However Weekes will be continuing her efforts and, with increased support from the Association, is confident that her goals will be achieved.

“Facilities are a problem,” she said. “There is nothing for Volleyball, with most of our practices taking place on a field. I’m hoping for more cooperation from teachers, principles, Government and VIVA and then it will happen. Right now the best we can do is encourage the youngsters to come along and teach them the fundamentals.”

One organization that needed no encouragement to attend the event was the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) run by the Executive Director, Stacey Mather, in East End. His young charges were out in force and having as much fun as everyone else especially when Weekes and Mather took to the court in a demonstration game.

“Any sporting activity at YEP is welcomed and Jackie has been fantastic in bringing her Volleyball programme,” said Mather. “We invested a sizeable amount of money on an outdoor facility and want to see it develop. Jackie is the face of Volleyball, she is phenomenal and everything she is involved with will always succeed.”

The day of thrills, skills and Volleyball drills concluded with Althea Scatliffe Primary School awarded for being the Best Primary School performers, but with the event due to be repeated every 3 or 4 weeks, they will not be able to rest on their laurels.

The outer island schools will be involved next time around and as the sport continues to grow at grassroots level, more and more youngsters will be vying to take the award home for their school.

Filed Under: Volleyball

Phillip sisters in Qatar for 12th FINA Swimming World Championships

December 2, 2014 by
Team BVI at the 2014 CARIFTA Swimming Championships in Aruba. From left to right: President of the BVI Swimming Federation Elsworth Philip, Secretary General Tracy Bradshaw, Amarah Philip and Elinah Philip Photo Credit: Provided

Team BVI at the 2014 CARIFTA Swimming Championships in Aruba. From left to right: President of the BVI Swimming Federation Elsworth Philip, Secretary General Tracy Bradshaw, Amarah Philip and Elinah Philip
Photo: Provided

The Virgin Islands top swimmers, sisters Amarah and Elinah Phillip will compete at the 12th FINA Swimming World Championships (25m) in Doha, Qatar, which gets underway Wednesday, December 3. Both sisters will swim in the 50m and 100m Freestyle and the 50m and 100m Butterfly.

The World Championships be will take place over five (5) competition days at the Hamad Aquatic Center in Doha, with morning sessions for the heats and evening sessions for the semifinals and finals. The event features the world’s fastest swimmers competing in forty-six events (34 individual and 12 relays).

More than 1,100 athletes from 171 countries are scheduled to compete for the 138 medals up for grabs at the biennial event, which is contested in a 25m pool.

The sisters will share the championship stage with several prominent world swimmers, including César Cielo Filho, the most successful Brazilian swimmer in history.

Further World Record holders set to compete in Doha include Italy’s Federica Pellegrini (200m Butterfly), Agnel Yannick of France (400m Freestyle), South Africa’s Roland Schoeman (50m Freestyle) and Sweden’s Malin Therese Alshammar (50m Butterfly), to name but a few.

The inaugural edition took place in Palma De Mallorca (ESP) in December, 1993, with the participation of 313 swimmers from 43 countries. 15 World Records were broken at these Championships setting a strong tone for the future of the event and the high standards of this unique competition. The event has continued to grow on the world stage to record highs of over 866 swimmers and 158 participating countries in the 11th edition having taken place in Istanbul (TUR) in December, 2012.

Click on the link for start lists: http://www.omegatiming.com/Competition?id=00010E010DFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF&day=1

 

Sources: BVIPlatinum.com and wscdoha2014.com

Filed Under: Swimming

Men’s and Women’s teams vie for the lead in Marlon Penn Nine-a-side League

November 25, 2014 by

By BVIFA

Kenmore Simmons scored the equalizer for Old Madrid in the Marlon Penn 9-a-aside League, Group B. Photo: BVIFA

Kenmore Simmons scored the equalizer for Old Madrid in the Marlon Penn 9-a-aside League, Group B. Photo: BVIFA

Old Madrid and the Islanders remained inseparable at the top of Group B in the Marlon Penn Nine a Side after a 1-1 draw on Sunday, November 23rd, 2014, as the latest round of matches concluded at Greenlands Playing Field, East End, Tortola.

Anreco Ramsey slotted home deep into the second half to seemingly hand all three points to the Islanders in the top of the Table clash only for a hotly disputed penalty kick to be awarded to Old Madrid in the third minute of added time at the end of the game.

Kenmore Simmons went down in a jumble of players in the Islanders penalty area and then dusted himself off to smash home the equalizer.

League Table Marlon Penn Nine a Side Mens League, Group B

  Team PL WI DR LO PO GS GA GB
1 Islanders 2 1 1 0 4 4 2 +2
2 Old Madrid 2 1 1 0 4 3 2 +1
3 Wolues 2 1 0 1 3 3 4 -1
4 Rebels 2 0 0 2 0 2 4 -2

 

In group A action, VG united put up a valiant performance against One Love after Jevan Wallace, in the 31st minute and Charles Bonnk, in the 33rd, had fired One Love into a 2-0 lead early in the second half. Alston Melay pulled one back for VG in the 36th minute to complete a frenetic period of goal scoring, but in the 49th minute Kenroy Palmer restored One Love’s two goal advantage.

Melay scored his second in the last minute of the game to leave the final score 3-2

League Table Marlon Penn Nine a Side Men’s League, group A

  Team PL WI DR LO PO GS GA GB
1 Ballstarz 2 2 0 0 6 4 0 +4
2 One Love 2 1 0 1 3 3 4 -1
3 VG Utd 2 0 1 1 1 4 5 -1
4 panthers 2 0 1 1 1 2 4 -2

 

Jacinta Weekes latched onto a through ball to make no mistake against Chandni Wattley in the Ballstarz goal. Photo: BVIFA

Jacinta Weekes latched onto a through ball to make no mistake against Chandni Wattley in the Ballstarz goal. Photo: BVIFA

In the Women’s League the Panthers put up the best performance of their season and anyone else’s with a 2-1 victory against the pre tournament favourites, the Ballstarz.

Marie Lumley opened the scoring for the Panthers in the 18th minute before Decima Lambert conceded an own goal equalizer under pressure from a Murcella Gordon corner in the second half.

The winner though came in the 44th minute as Jacinta Weekes latched onto a through ball to make no mistake against Chandni Wattley in the Ballstarz goal.

The Ballstarz defeat saw the U15 Girls team leapfrog them into pole position in the standings as they claimed a point from a 0-0 draw with the Avengers. Ironically the Avengers are the only unbeaten team in the league and yet are bottom with just 3 points.

League Table Marlon Penn Women’s Nine a Side

  Team PL WI DR LO PO GS GA GB
1 U15 Girls 3 1 1 1 4 3 1 +2
2 Ballstarz 3 1 1 1 4 3 3 0
3 Panthers 3 1 1 1 4 3 5 -2
4 Avengers 3 0 3 0 3 2 2 0

 

On Sunday 30th November Marlon Penn Nine a Side League action will feature the Avengers taking on the Ballstarz at 4.00pm, followed by the U15 Girls playing the Panthers at 5.00pm,.

In the Men’s League, at 6:00 pm the Panthers face One Love, whilst at 7.30pm the Rebels come up against the Islanders.

Filed Under: Football

Quarter Finals and Finals for BVI athletes at CAC Games

November 25, 2014 by

postcard_001BVI’s athletes advanced in their events to compete for progression and medals in today’s Central American and Caribbean Games at Veracruz 2014.

Joe Chapman and Joe Kneipp beat St Vincent and the Grendines in the Men’s Squash Doubles Round of 16 in two sets (11-3, 11-7) to advance to the quarter finals. The BVI duo will play against the #1 seeded twins from Mexico, Cesar and Arturo Salazar at 2.15pm AST.

Chantel Malone and Tahesia Harrigan-Scott will be competing in Track and Field final events. Chantel will be competing in the women’s long jump at 2:00pm (AST) and Tahesia will be sprinting at 4.40pm (AST) for her 3rd consecutive CAC 100m Gold medal.

Edited to show amended time for Women’s Long Jump Finals event.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Squash, Vera Cruz News
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