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VI athletes in action at Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games

September 7, 2015 by bvioc

The BVI delegation to #Samoa2015 Commonwealth Youth Games. (L-R) Team Leader Mrs. Angeleta Bernard, Paul Oliver (Men’s Singles Tennis), Team Official Mr. Ephraim Penn, K’Cei Moses (100m & 200m), and Kala Penn (100m & Long Jump). Photo: BVIOC

The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, acting in its capacity as the local Commonwealth Games Association, has sent a delegation of three (3) athletes and (2) officials to attend the V Commonwealth Youth Games which are taking place September 5 – 11 on the small Pacific island of Samoa.

The games feature nine sporting disciplines and the action takes place in the nation’s capital, Apia, across two sporting complexes. The nine sports include Aquatics (Swimming), Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Lawn Bowls, Rugby Sevens, Squash, Tennis and Weightlifting.

The athletes, representing the VI in athletics include Kala Penn in the 100m & Long Jump, K’Cei Moses in the 100m and 200m and Paul Oliver competing in Men’s Singles Tennis. In charge of the delegation is Team Leader for Samoa 2015, Mrs. Angeleta Bernard and Team Official Mr. Ephraim Penn.

Over 1,000 athletes and officials are attending the games which began with a uniquely

The VI delegation led by flag bearer, Kala Penn at the Opening Ceremony of the #Samoa2015 V Commonwealth Youth Games. Photo: Getty Images

Pacific-style Opening Ceremony over the weekend, 5th September 2015. Kala was the flag bearer for the VI.

Noting that Samoa is 15 hours ahead of the VI, day 1 of the competition for the territory’s athletes started on Monday, September 7 at the Apia Park Sports Complex with Paul Oliver beating Edgell Tigona of Vanuatu 6-0, 6-0. Paul goes on to play Eleftherios Neos of Cyprus on September 8.

Kala Penn placed 3rd in the 100m to qualify for Semi-finals; she later placed 6th in a time of 12.69s but did not advance. Kala will compete in the Long Jump on September 8.

K’Cei Moses placed 6th in the 100m with a time of 11.12s but did not advance. K’Cei will run in the 200m in Heat 1 on September 8.

The latest results can be accessed at www.samoacyg2015.ws. Photos can be found on the BVI Olympic Committee Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BVIOlympicCommittee

Daily highlights and the closing ceremony will be streamed live globally, free of charge at www.tv1samoa.tv. Users must register to access footage.

The Opening ceremony
The Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games Ceremonies followed the overall theme for the Games with Inspiration and Empowerment of young people at their core. The Opening Ceremony was Samoa’s largest-ever cultural performance, featuring almost 1% of the entire island population.

Dignitaries, spectators and athletes from around the Commonwealth, including the Samoan Head of State, Samoan Prime Minister, Commonwealth Secretariat Secretary General and President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, enjoyed traditional singing, dancing and Pacific entertainment. The event started with the parade of nations, with the previous Youth Games host from 2011, Isle of Man, given the honour of entering the field of play first.

Addressing the crowd, and asking the young athletes to show themselves as stars of the Young Commonwealth by raising their smartphones in to the air, Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin CBE said: “It gives me the greatest of pleasure to stand here before you at the Opening Ceremony of the Vth Commonwealth Youth Games – a joyful celebration of impactful sporting performance, personal development and new Commonwealth friendships made on the level playing field of sport. Having been involved with the very first Commonwealth Youth Games back in the year 2000, I am so pleased and proud to see this very special event now taking place on your wonderful Pacific island nation”.

Filed Under: Athletics, Samoa News, Tennis Tagged With: #Samoa2015, #teambvi, Paul Oliver, Samoa 2015 V Commonwealth Youth Games

Pirates take 2015 Softball Championship title

September 7, 2015 by bvioc

By BVI Softball Association

Pirates on the road to winning the 2015 BVI Softball Championship title in final match against the Reds. Photo: Provided

Pirates defeated Reds 14-7. Pirates had 14 runs, 9 hits, 4 errors and left 6 runners on base. Reds had 7 runs, 9 hits, 2 errors and left 5 runners on base.

The winning pitcher was Allen Smith and the loser was Warren Brooks.

Akeem Francis of Reds went 2-3 with a double, a run scored and 2 runs batted in and Jerry Gooding went 2-3 with a double, a triple, 2 runs scored and 2 runs batted in.

Tramore Frazer of Pirates went 2-4 with a home run, a run scored and 5 runs batted in.

Rico Penn went 1-3 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 2 runs batted in and Nikos Penn went 1-2 with a home run, 3 runs scored and 3 runs batted in.

Pirates won the series, 4 games to 2.

This was the final game of the 2015 season in which Pythons and Pirates emerged as champions in the female and male divisions, respectively.

The BVI Softball Association would like to say thank you to the participating teams and their sponsors and the fans who showed their support with their presence at the games.

Filed Under: Softball-Baseball

New board elected for BVI Tennis Association

September 4, 2015 by bvioc

By BVI Platinum.com

Long time tennis coach, Carol Mitchell has been elected President of the BVI Tennis Association, taking over the organization from Dion Anselm.

The association held elections on Monday and elected Mrs. Judith Vanterpool, Vice President; Mr. De Shawn Matthew, General Secretary; Mrs. Lenia Green, Treasurer; Ms. Dionne Liverpool, Public Relations Officer; Mr. Patrick Mitchell, Development Officer/Player Rep.

Among the aggressive goals for the new board is the formation of a national team; implement a national tennis player rating; hiring a national coach; introduce the International Tennis Federation (ITF), junior tennis initiative (JTI) programme and focus on the 2015 Virgin Islands 14-and-Uder Boys Necker Cup Qualifying Tournament.

JTI is a 14-and-under junior development program funded by the ITF, which forms a key part of the National Association’s player development pathway.

A national JTI program provides opportunities for increased participation in tennis, as well as identifying the most talented players for focused player development within a nation.

The JTI incorporates key elements of 10-and-under tennis within primary schools and clubs; junior development tennis for children 12-and-under and 14-and- under within all the secondary schools and clubs; junior performance tennis for the most talented 10, 12 and 14-and-under.

Filed Under: Tennis Tagged With: BVI Tennis Association

VI’s Rayne Duff slips down Gold Fleet Rankings @ Opti Worlds

September 3, 2015 by bvioc

By VINO

Rayne Duff IVB 911 loses speed in a close tack to cross the line a few inches behind the lead boat to place second in today's Gold fleet race 6 of the Opti Worlds Championships. Photo: OptiWorld

Rayne Duff IVB 911 loses speed in a close tack to cross the line a few inches behind the lead boat in race 6 of the Gold Fleet on day 5 at the Opti Worlds Championships, Dziwnow, Poland. Photo: OptiWorld

Virgin Islands’ sailor Rayne Duff, sailing in the Gold Championship Fleet at the Opti Worlds in Dziwnow, Poland today Thursday September 3, 2015, slipped to 60th from his overnight 32nd placing after 9 races.

At the close of day 5, Duff was in 32^nd with his best effort being a second place finish in race six. He had a total of 60 points to be well off the leaders, but in striking distance of a top ten finish.

Duff was nearly able to cross for first, but tacking close under the lee bow of ITA, without enough speed to hold him off, he crossed the line a few inches behind in second.

However, Duff did not score any points in races 7 or 8 and finished 44^th in race 9 to fall to 60^th place overall.

In other races, Duff finished 18th, 15th, 8th, 8th and 9th.

Duff raced against 272 competitors in race 6, all ranking in the top five of their country.

Filed Under: Sailing Tagged With: 2015 Optimist Worlds Championships, Optimist World Championships 2015 Poland, Rayne Duff

VI U17 Girls’ Team face storms at Caribbean Football Union World Cup Qualifier tourney

September 3, 2015 by bvioc

By BVIFA

The BVI U17 Girls’ team weathered some storms both on and off the field during the recent 2015 Caribbean Football Union World Cup Qualification Tournament in Nevis. Photo: BVIFA

The U17 Girls’ team weathered some storms both on and off the field during the recent Caribbean Football Union World Cup Qualification Tournament in Nevis, but regardless of results not going quite according to plan, overall their performance was encouraging and as a team they showed some bright signs for the future.

The first Game against St Kitts and Nevis, played at the Elquemedo Willett Park on Nevis was a 3-1 defeat to the hosts, but the second half performance was one that pleased Coach Katie Rowson.

“St Kitts and Nevis raced into a 3-0 lead by half time, but the second half belonged to the BVI as the girls out shone their opponents, just lacking the final touch in front of goal,” said Rowson. “The girls kept their shape well throughout, although did not do well at some of the basics. It was 3-0 at half time. The girls were brilliant in the second half and closed down, marked up and their movement was fantastic. It ended 3-1, we scored from a penalty. I was very happy with the performance in the second half and thought that the result was a fair one and better than expected before the competition.”

The second game was against Caribbean power houses, Trinidad and Tobago and it didn’t take long for the BVI girls to realize that they were up against a whole new level of football.
“A very disappointing game/performance/result for us,” noted Rowson. “T & T were a different level – we ‘parked the bus’ from 20 minutes into the first half, but it was still 3-0 by half time. We changed the line up for the second half and actually played better, but T and T kept pushing scoring 5 more with two scored in the last two minutes – very disappointing.”

In the final group game against Dominica, the girls were unlucky to not at least claim a point, as after Dominica had grabbed the lead, the BVI bounced back to equalize inside the last 15 minutes. However Dominica stole all three points with a late winner in a 2-1 defeat.

“A very close game with two errors leading to conceding a goal in each half. We scored from following in a free kick from Katie Lowery, with Emily Lowery heading it in. Our shape was very good and we were more organized. It was extremely disappointing to lose the game but felt that our games against Dominica and St Kitts showed that we are not too far away from other teams,” said Rowson.

BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton, was pleased with the performances from what was a group of young inexperienced girls. “It is good that we were competitive in all of the games. We fielded a very young team with the majority of the girls aged between 12 and 15 so they will still be eligible for this age group for a number of years,” said Bickerton. “We are very much in a developmental stage in women’s football so we are encouraged to see the progress our girls continue to make. They represented the BVI well both on and off the field and the BVIFA are very proud of them.”

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: #teambvi, BVI Football Association, Caribbean Football Union FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Four teams hold fast in Save the Seed Basketball League

September 2, 2015 by bvioc

By VINO

Young Starz and Pure Playaz in action in the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League on August 30, 2015. Young Starz won 83-55. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Four teams still remain unbeaten in the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League following latest round of games at the Save the Seed Energy Centre Gym in Duff’s Bottom on August 30, 2015.

In the seven team Western Division, the defending champions Bayside Blazers made it 3 from 3 with a 108-77 blow out of Starz.

Soon to be off to school again, Frankly L. Penn Junior top scored for the Blazers with 23 points, 10 rebounds, 8 steals and 8 assists.

Shaquille T. Fonseca notched 20 points as he looked to get back to his best form and Sandy E. Nadal hit 14 points.

Kyle L. Abraham added 11 points and Dione M. Blyden made 11 points and grabbed 8 rebounds also for the Blazers.

For the Starz, Tafari Winchester notched 15 and Stephon Caul 14 with 12 rebounds. Phillip Glasgow scored 11 with 10 rebounds, Dwayne Stoutt 12 points and Jahmari Rivera 10.

The other unbeaten teams in the West are Run It Red and West Gunners.

In the eight-team Eastern Division, Splash Brothers are the only side yet to suffer defeat, after beating Talk Done, 73-65, on Saturday August 29, 2015.

Ashfield Frett scored 22 points with 10 rebounds, J B Brodie 13 with 11 rebounds and Shamoii Dagou 10 with 12 rebounds.

For Talk Done, Garve Vanterpool topped the scoring charts with 12, whilst both Clint Weston and Jamoi Dore scored 10 each.

Young Starz beat Pure Playaz, 83-55, in Sunday’s other game, mainly thanks to Jachoy Walwyn’s 21 points. Kaemoy Thomas added 16 and Malique Wattley grabbed 14 rebounds.

Daryl George scored 15 for the Playaz, who also got 13 points from Dante Wattley.

Filed Under: Basketball Tagged With: Save the Seed Basketball League 2015

Malone wraps up IAAF World Champs

August 28, 2015 by bvioc

By BVIAA

Chantel Malone sails through the air en route to a best leap of 6.46m Photo: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

BEIJING, China: Chantel Malone of the British Virgin Islands finished 10th in Group B and 21st overall of the 34 Long Jumpers in the qualifying rounds of the 15th IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China yesterday, to wrap up Virgin Islands athletes competition. She did not qualify for tonight’s final.

Malone had a best leap of 6.46m on the second of three attempts and finished three places ahead the USA’s Britney Reese, who won the last two editions of the event in South Korea and Russia respectively.

“It felt pretty good on the run through but the first jump was a little flat,” she recapped of her 6.22m measurement. “I tried to bring the speed in the second jump and I think the speed helped with the 6.46 and I just tried to keep that momentum going, but I dropped my foot on the last jump.”

Malone said there was no difference between her last two outings where she established a personal best of 6.69m at the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships, after a 6.62 mark in the Pan Am Games.

“There were just some things that didn’t come together today that happened in the last meet,” she explained. “It’s not a matter of there being a difference. Today, I was a little flat and it didn’t end up the way I wanted it to.”

Malone was happy with her season in which she improved her three-year old BVI National Record of 6.65m to 6.69. She said the she started off a little slow but caught herself. “You always have to be happy for being able to do what you do, so I’m pleased,” she said. “This has been a good experience. I think this is one of the first years I didn’t come in hurt or anything like that and I was really excited and ready to compete. And I still was, but it didn’t happen in the jump. I didn’t get the mark I expected, but I still had a good time competing. I liked the accommodations and the atmosphere of the place.”

With the 2015 season behind, Malone said her goal is now to make it to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. “Whatever that entails,” she said. “It’s every athlete’s dream to go to the Olympics. That’s the ultimate goal for me really.”

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With: #teambvi, 2015 IAAF World Championships, Chantel Malone, Long jump

Digicel/NBA Jump Start Basketball Programme underway in BVI

August 26, 2015 by bvioc

By VINO:

BVI youngsters go through drills at the Digicel/NBA Jump Start Basketball Programme at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on August 25, 2015. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Digicel and the National Basketball Association (NBA) joined forces on Tuesday August 25, 2015 to launch the Jump Start Basketball Programme that will be giving 40 boys from Tortola and Virgin Gorda a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase their talent and gain selection to an elite training camp in Trinidad and Tobago.

The clinic at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex is the first of six such events, all of which are aimed at 14-16 year olds and all of which will see five participants selected to represent their country at the five-day elite camp, from which the top eight players will be chosen by an NBA Legend, as well the coaches, to attend an NBA game in the USA.

The coaches who are here for the camp, Troy Justice and Robert Mackinnon, have extensive global experience within the NBA Organisation.

The coaches launched the clinic yesterday with an intensive warm up, including ball work, shooting and dribbling drills, that got the boys more than ready for a series of five versus five games that concluded the first day.

“It is an exciting opportunity for us as coaches to work with these 40 boys and I would like to thank Digicel and the NBA for making these clinics possible and for their support in growing the game of basketball,” commented Justice. “We are also implementing a programme that is just not for two days, but what we are providing is something that coaches and players can use throughout the year.”

Justice also stressed that the clinics were more than just about playing the game, but would also reinforce the importance of the values of the game such as sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline and work ethics. “These values that will impact you on the court will impact you in your life moving forward, so take the opportunity to learn as much as you can.”

Digicel Brand and Basketball Ambassador, Jason A. Edwin has spent the past month working with the BVI Basketball Federation to select the best 40 players. “The boys were selected on skills, passion for the game and drive to succeed and I’m confidant each of them will represent to the highest standard possible,” Edwin stated.

Tommy Farrell, Commercial and Finance Director for Digicel (BVI), was on hand during the day and expressed delight that the VI had been chosen as the first location for the Jump Start clinics.

“It is testament to the level of skill, ability and passion for basketball that exists in the territory,” said Farrell. “Already the coaches have mentioned that they have been very impressed with what they have seen and suggested a few of them have already shown they are worthy of scholarships. We are certain, that as these boys are coached and mentored by the elite NBA coaches, that this clinic will develop their skills, take their game to the next level and that the benefits of the clinics will reach far beyond these 40 boys, and the learnings of both players and coaches will live on for a long time to come.”

Not done with a hectic day of coaching, Justice and Mackinnon finished with an hour long session with the students of the Eslyn Henley Richez Learning Centre and after much excitement and no little talent; each boy was awarded NBA shirts and caps, along with a Digicel back pack.

The clinic concludes today, August 26, 2015 and those five selected to go to Trinidad will be announced at a closing ceremony.

The clinics will then move on to Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica, Bermuda and the Turks and Caicos, with the five-day camp in Trinidad and Tobago scheduled for September 23-28, 2015.

Filed Under: Basketball Tagged With: BVI Basketball, Digicel, Digicel/NBA Jump Start Basketball Program, NBA

Tahesia Harrigan-Scott places 5th in prelims at IAAF World Champs

August 24, 2015 by bvioc

By BVIAA

Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, right, Guam’s Regine Tugade, Ukraine’s Olesya Povkh and Trinidad and Tobago’s Semoy Hackett competing in the Women’s 100m Heat 5 in Beijing, China. Photo: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

BEIJING, China – Putting a series of early season issues behind that affected her performances, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott of the British Virgin Islands came into the 15th IAAF World Track and Field Championships here in Beijing, China, riding a wave of unmatched performances in her career, an indication that she was ready.

During the recent Pan Am Games and the North American, Central American and Caribbean Championships in Canada and Costa Rica, all her 100m preliminary round races had been run well under 11.22 seconds. And, all her performances were 11.28 or better.

Returning to the iconic Beijing Bird’s Nest National Stadium where she competed during the 2008 Olympic Games and had subsequent runs since, the BVI’s 100 and 200m standard bearer was eyeing a spot in tonight’s 100m semifinals.

However, she wasn’t on her game and placed an unlooked for non-advancing fifth in her heat in 11.47 seconds.

“I lost it from my first step out the blocks because my body collapsed,” Harrigan-Scott disappointedly reflected afterwards. “I felt like I was fighting my entire drive phase trying to get my body in the right position and stay in the race and it just went downhill from there.”

Harrigan-Scott said her performance indicators coming in were good and showing promises of things to come. “I was in no way shape or form expecting the results I produced today,” she stated after qualifying for her sixth straight championships but turned in her worst result of them all. “Practices and race preparations felt good but it just didn’t come together today. I’m nowhere 11.47 shape. Negative wind or not, practices were going well and indicated that I should have ran a personal best.”

Her focus now turns to Rio 2016 for the Olympic Games as she has already put down a qualifying mark. She said she doesn’t have to alter any of her training plans leading up to her third successive Olympic Games. “I will do the same things I have been doing to get me here,” she pointed out. “Wouldn’t change anything. I dropped the ball at this meet.”

Next up is the U.S. Virgin Islands’ Eddie Lovett who will see action in the 110m Hurdles prelims during Wednesday morning’s session. Teammate Laverne Jones’ Ferrette will compete in the 200m prelims later in the evening.

Chantel Malone will take to the Long Jump pit on Thursday morning.

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With: 2015 IAAF World Championships, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott

BVI fall to St Kitts & Nevis in opening game of WC Qualifiers

August 24, 2015 by bvioc

By VINO

The BVI U17 Women lost 3-1 to St Kitts and Nevis in their first game of the Caribbean Football Union World Cup qualifying Tournament at the Elquemedo Willett Park in Nevis on Saturday August 22, 2015. Photo: Provided

Having fallen into a 3-0 hole after a fast paced first half, the BVI rebuilt, corrected a few errors and put up a tremendous second half performance, to not only keep the hosts goalless, but also created many opportunities to score for themselves.

However, it was not until into the last five minutes that reward for endeavour was gained when Lilly Pierce was brought down in the penalty box and the BVI were awarded a penalty.

Katie Lowery took the responsibility and calmly slotted home to make it 3-1.

There would be no further scoring at either end though and St Kitts took all three points.

After the game, the BVI Coach, Katie Rowson, was very upbeat at the team’s performance.

“I’m so proud of the team, the whole idea of the game was to better our performance from twelve months ago and we did that. I’m very happy, we were organised how we wanted to be, but not happy about conceding the three goals. At half time we spoke about correcting a few individual things and had a much better second half.”

The Girls had Sunday off and will be playing against Trinidad and Tobago at 5.30pm tonight.

In the other game in the Group, Trinidad and Tobago had to put up with a fight from their opponents, Dominica, as both teams were locked 0-0 at half time.

Kaydeen Jack would eventually put T&T ahead in the 66th minute and three more goals would follow in quick succession for a 4-0 victory.

Head coach for T&T Rajesh Latchoo, though pleased with the opening win, said he didn’t feel his team played to its full potential.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, Caribbean Football Union World Cup

VI athletes in action at Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games

Pirates take 2015 Softball Championship title

New board elected for BVI Tennis Association

VI’s Rayne Duff slips down Gold Fleet Rankings @ Opti Worlds

VI U17 Girls’ Team face storms at Caribbean Football Union World Cup Qualifier tourney

Four teams hold fast in Save the Seed Basketball League

Malone wraps up IAAF World Champs

Digicel/NBA Jump Start Basketball Programme underway in BVI

Tahesia Harrigan-Scott places 5th in prelims at IAAF World Champs

BVI fall to St Kitts & Nevis in opening game of WC Qualifiers

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