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BVIFA Youth Festival a success

August 25, 2020 by Admin

More than 140 boys and girls attend BVIFA’s August Youth Festival 2020

The BVIFA Executive led by President, Mr. Andy Bickerton and all the Youth Coaches were left in no doubt they are doing the right things after more than 140 boys and girls turned out for the Youth Festival held on Saturday and Sunday August 15 and 16, 2020 at East End / Long Look, Tortola.

The levels of interest and participation across two distinct age groups – those born between 2008 and 2011 and those born between 2003 and 2007 – also showed that the hard work done by the coaching staff to bring back the youths to a competitive environment where they showcased impressive technical ability, is paying dividends.

“It was great to see so many turn out,” commented Bickerton. “The progress being made after the lock down, the level of competition, the technical standards across both age groups are all very encouraging”

Bickerton was also pleased to see that lots of overseas based students were home taking part and was quick to congratulate all the coaches and staff involved, “Tinnie Percival, Wayne Phillips, Richie Morton, Javon Carty, “Left”, Cassandra Gregg, Jermaine Abrams, Morris Mark, Darren, Julianna, the General Secretary and her Assistant, Jahtoya Rodriquez”.

Notable performances also came on the field with Bickerton presenting awards to MVP, Luka Chalwell, Best Goalkeeper, Ollie Henderson, Best Defender, Quelani Nickie, Best Midfielder, Johari Lacey and Top Scorer, Denvin Jones.

Whilst all the youth programmes on Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke will be continuing [after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted], the BVIFA also plans to move forward with adding a Youth League to its player pathways.

“The level of interest and enthusiasm shown over the weekend means we can be even more optimistic about the success of the National Youth League which the BVIFA is launching in September,” concluded Bickerton.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association

BVI to face ‘tough’ group in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

August 25, 2020 by Admin

BVI drawn to play in Group C of the first round of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers for Qatar 2022

The Draw for the first round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022 took place in Zurich, Switzerland on August 19, 2020. The six highest ranked teams of were pre-seeded into groups A through F and revealed a number of exciting match-ups among the 30 teams.

The British Virgin Islands, led by 18-year-old Tyler Forbes, are in Group C and will look to rekindle the same fighting spirit they displayed in the CONCACAF Nations League Qualifiers. The BVI faces tough competition from Group C which includes Curacao, Guatemala, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Cuba.

“The team is very excited to play in this group especially with the talent we have and the growing bond we have together,” commented Forbes. “It won’t be easy, but we like a challenge and us underdogs we always seem to perform better like in the game against Martinique. I feel the BVI will be proud of us – and surprised too – when, hopefully, they get to see what we have to offer with some home games. After the hurricanes of 2017 and the Covid-19 pandemic, the team is hungry for success and ready to finally play in front of our home fans.”

BVIFA President, Andy Bickerton noted the World Cup Draw had thrown the BVI into a tough group and is hoping the pandemic won’t stop the opportunity of staging home games. “We have been drawn in a very strong group and have to hope that despite the COVID challenges we are able to play our home matches against Guatemala and Curacao in the BVI.”

Matches in the group are expected to take place from October 2020.

Full CONCACAF World Cup qualifying groups:

Group A: El Salvador, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Montserrat, United States Virgin Islands
Group B: Canada, Suriname, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Aruba
Group C: Curacao, Guatemala, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Cuba, British Virgin Islands
Group D: Panama, Dominican Republic, Barbados, Dominica, Anguilla

Free Basketball & Baseball Camp underway in Districts 7 & 8

August 18, 2020 by Admin

(Standing Front L-R) Ephraim Penn, President, BVI Olympic Committee and Milton McLean founder of the Basketball & Baseball (B & B) youth Summer Camp which this year was sponsored by the BVIOC and was launched at Greenland, East End, Tortola on August 17, 2020

A two-week, free Basketball & Baseball (B & B) youth Summer Camp, sanctioned by the BVI Basketball Association and sponsored by the BVI Olympic Committee was launched at Greenland, East End, Tortola on Monday, August 17, 2020.

The summer camp is offering coaching in both basketball and baseball to all boys and girls aged 8 – 12 years residing in Districts 7 and 8. The initiative – now in its third year of community engagement – is managed by Mr. Milton McLean and Mr. Raymond “Chi Chi” Fonseca of the Sea Cow’s Bay Basketball Club (SCBBC). Mr. McLean founded the B & B group in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria bringing in Mr. Fonseca to help with the baseball programme.

“After the hurricanes of 2017 there was little or no activity in sports on Tortola. This prompted me to create the B & B group as an affiliate to the Sea Cow’s Bay Basketball Club,” said Mr. McLean. “The first B & B clinic took place in District 4 in July 2018 and we teamed up with YEP to host the programme in District 3 in 2019. This year, we have partnered with the BVI Olympic Committee to introduce the clinic in East End/Long Look, where I actually grew up. We can’t thank the BVIOC enough for their support as we could not have offered the camp otherwise.”

Basketball and baseball (with an option of softball for girls) are both offered in the Greenland field in District 7 while basketball camp is offered in District 8. Children residing in either district can be registered to attend any of the camps. The camps run from 9:00am – 3:00pm Mondays through Fridays.

“We are hoping to cater for 30-40 children, helping them to release some of that pent-up energy,” continued Mr. McLean. “The idea is to train the participants in the skills of both sports and organize them into teams of 12. We will work with the participating coaches in the districts for a couple of months after the camps so that they can continue to run a district B & B club throughout the year.”

The intent is to offer the B & B summer camp in Districts 1 and 2 in 2021 with the hopes that the grass roots programme will take off and eventually lead to Territory-wide basketball and baseball youth teams that can compete against each other.

The mutual goal of the B & B group and the BVIOC is to encourage younger children to become physically active with a view to tackling the growing problem of childhood obesity made worse by the impact of COVID-19 on sports. Both organisations also recognize the inextricable link between endorphins released through cardio-aerobic exercise, emotional well-being, improved self-esteem and social attitude.

“The BVIOC accepted the invitation to support the B & B initiative because it speaks directly to the Long Term Athlete Development and physical literacy programmes that we have been championing in the Virgin Islands since we launched the community-wide workshops in 2016,” said Mr. Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC.

The funding for the summer camps was sourced through Olympic Solidarity, which this year gave National Olympic Committees the discretion to support programmes that help to develop sports and encourage physical activity in the community.

“Typically, the bulk of the money from Olympic Solidarity is ear marked for national federation sports development and athlete or team activity in preparation for or participation in events and competitions that are part of the ladder to competing in major Games such as the CAC, Panam Games, and Olympic Games,” explained Mr. Penn. “With all competitions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NOCs were invited to apply for funds to continue to build capacity and engage with the public to move and get physically active. As always, we are accountable to OS and are required to report on the activities which we fund.”

For more information on the B & B Summer Camps or to register a child, contact Mr. McLean on 345-0555 or Mr. Fonseca on 441-1435.

The free 2-week Basketball & Baseball Summer Camp launched at Greenland, East End, Tortola on August 17, 2020

Filed Under: Basketball, BVI Olympic Committee, Milton McLean, Olympic Solidarity Tagged With: B & B Summer Camp, Basketball & Baseball Summer Camp, BVI Basketball Association, BVI Olympic Committee, BVIOC, Milton McLean

Virtual workshop on Building Your Athletic Brand

August 17, 2020 by Admin

Join the BVIOC Athletes’ Commission on Tuesday, August 25 at 8:00pm for a live virtual workshop aimed at helping BVI athletes progress their careers.

The BVIOAC’s 2nd event this year will take a dive into building your athletic brand, using Social Media to your advantage, sharing your story and building a platform that can leverage financial opportunities.

Attendees will have the opportunity to gain insight from Panam Gold Medalist Chantel Malone and Panam Silver Medalist and Olympian, Priscilla Federick and hear from BVIOC PR Consultant, Sofia Fay, partner at Broadsword Communications Ltd.

We have all been negatively impacted by this ‘new normal’ – impacted financially, professionally, physically and mentally. The times – although challenging – are calling for us to innovate the way we position our athletes and take advantage of our brand. In this new reality, it’s more crucial than ever to redefine ourselves to create opportunities for visibility and career advancement.

The meeting, with a raffle and prizes, will also outline the AC Training and Equipment Grant – an opportunity that all athletes need to be aware of.

Click here to register for the virtual meeting. This workshop is for BVI athletes only.

Filed Under: BVIOC Athletes' Commission, chantel malone

BVIOC Athletes’ Commission’s to host Athletic Brand Building virtual workshop

August 17, 2020 by Admin

The BVIOC Athletes’ Commission’s will host its second live virtual workshop on Tuesday, August 25 at 8:00pm. The presentation, exclusively aimed at helping athletes progress their careers through brand building, will be led by Panam gold medalist, Chantel Malone and Panam silver medalist and Olympian, Priscilla Federick with guest speaker, Sofia Fay of Broadsword Communications and PR consultant to the BVIOC.

The workshop will expound on how to build a personal athletic brand through social media, through sharing the story of the journey and building a platform that can leverage financial opportunities.

“We have all been negatively impacted by this ‘new normal’ – impacted financially, professionally, physically and mentally. The times – although challenging – are calling for us to innovate the way we position our athletes and take advantage of our brand. In this new reality, it’s more crucial than ever to redefine ourselves to create opportunities for visibility and career advancement,” states the BVIOCAC invitation.

The meeting, with a raffle and prizes, will also outline the AC Training and Equipment Grant – an opportunity that all athletes need to be aware of.

Click here to register for the virtual meeting.

Filed Under: BVIOC Athletes' Commission, chantel malone

BVIFA to host Youth Festival Tournament

August 11, 2020 by Admin

Hot on the heels of the successful BVI Football Association Women’s and Men’s Festival Cups, attention now turns to the Youth Festival Tournament for girls and boys scheduled for Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16 at the National Stadium venue, East End / Long Look, Tortola.

BVIFA President, Mr. Andrew Bickerton and the Executive Committee along with Technical Director, Mr. Dan Neville and the coaching staf led by Tinnie Percival, have continued to focus on youth development plans geared towards inclusion of players across the Territory and have even been able to recently launch regular coaching sessions on Jost Van Dyke.

According to Neville, the Youth Festival is a key component in the BVIFA’s development plans: “It is a great way to get all the players back together again in a competitive environment for the first time since lockdown and the Festival will also act as a lead-in to the BVIFA’s Academy Youth League.”

The Youth Festival Tournament is split into two age groups with those born between 2008 and 2011 featuring on the Saturday, whilst those born between 2003 and 2007 play on the Sunday.

Both age groups will play in the same round robin format with the younger group having games of 20 minutes duration and the older group 25 minutes.

The BVIFA promises both days will be action packed and filled with fun as there will be a DJ, food, refreshments, trophies and lots of competitive football.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, BVIFA Youth Festival Tournament 2020, Youth Football

Sugar Boys are BVIFA Festival Cup Champs!

August 7, 2020 by Admin

The Sugar Boys F.C. were crowned as BVIFA Festival Cup Champions on August 4, 2020

The Sugar Boys F.C. were crowned as BVIFA Festival Cup Champions on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 after MVP, Derol Redhead scored a winner late in the first half of a 2 – 1 defeat of Lion Heart F.C. at the East End / Long Look National Stadium venue.

Although the newcomers, Lion Heat, were playing in their first ever final, they matched the Sugar Boys from Virgin Gorda virtually kick for kick and the two sides were inseparable after Sheldon Brown equalized for Lion Heart in the thirteenth minute, following Terrence Nanton’s tenth minute opener.

However you can never discount the effect Redhead can have on a game and – not for the first time – he popped up big when it mattered most and netted the go ahead goal and what proved to be the winner.

“It means a lot,” said Redhead, whose goal also earned him a share of the Golden Boot Trophy along with team mate Norman Hernandez.

The second half saw no further goals and Lion Heart skipper Dwayne Smith was left to rue not putting the Sugar Boys under more pressure, paying too much respect early, losing the midfield battle and ultimately the game.

BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton presented the awards, which apart from the Trophy and a winner’s check for 4000 dollars to the Sugar Boys, also included a Runners Up check for 2,000 dollars to Lion Heart. The Fair Play Trophy was claimed by the Sugar Boys and the Golden Glove Trophy, which went to Lindell Williams.

The Sugar Boys claimed their spot in the last four following a 4 – 1 win against Old Madrid F.C. courtesy of a hat trick from Derol Redhead (26’, 36’, 79’) and Akeem Hendrickson, who scored in the eightieth minute. Fitzroy Daley netted for Old Madrid.

Their opponents in the last four, One Love, had a much sterner test to come through as VG United took them all the way to a penalty shoot-out, after the match ended 1 – 1. However, Mauricio Guevara Villanueva held his nerve to fire his team into the semi, scoring the decisive penalty in a 3 – 2 win.

Lion Heart found themselves 1 – 0 down to the Wolues, but Shevaughn Thomas equalized in the forty fifth minute, before adding a second to put Lion Heart on the way to the last four and the win was confirmed as Oshane Ingram made it 3 – 1 at the death.

A brace of goals by Jean Charles Jnr. either side of a strike by Julian Davidson was enough for One Caribbean to secure their place, beating The Rebels F.C 2 – 1.

The first semi was scheduled for the National Stadium venue at East End / Long Look between the Sugar Boys and One Love at 4pm, whilst semi final number 2 featuring One Caribbean and Lion Heart was on the Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground at 6pm.

Derol Redhead (Sugar Boys) shares in Golden Boot Trophy

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, BVIFA, BVIFA Festival Cup 2020, Sugar Boys F.C.

Pure Trouble comes out top in BVIFA Women’s Festival Cup

August 7, 2020 by Admin

Pure Trouble, captained by Tinia Van-Zoost, came out on top of the points table after winning all three games in the BVIFA Women’s Festival Cup held at the East End / Long Look Stadium, Tortola on August 2, 2020.

The BVIFA Women’s Festival Cup was staged at the East End / Long Look Stadium on Sunday, August 2 with four teams participating in a round robin tournament.

Pure Trouble, captained by Tinia Van-Zoost, came out on top of the points table after winning all three games, with 9 points. Fire, captained by Ariel Mohamed, was second with 6 points. Purple Rain , captained by Joi-Ann Thomas, came third with 3 points and Pink Panthers placed fourth.

Individual awards went to Decima Lambert as Best Goalkeeper, Chelsea Edwards for Best Young Player, Casandra Gregg as Golden Lady, Shevonne Vanterpool as Golden Boot and Van Zoost as MVP.

Recently re-appointed BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton was on hand to present the trophies and was pleased with the turn out and complimented all those involved: “It was an excellent start to the revitalization of Women’s Football in the BVI. Coaches Anna French and Wayne Phillip are to be congratulated on the high level of technical ability displayed by all of the women.”

In the first match, Purple Rain defeated Fire 1 – 0 in a penalty shootout, with Mohamed the lone scorer, whilst in the next game Pure Trouble defeated Pink Panthers 3 – 2, also, in a penalty shootout after the match ended in a 1 – 1 tie. Vanterpool scored for Pure Trouble and French equalized for the Pink Panthers in regulation time before Vanterpool, Van-Zoost, and Morgan Creque all converted their penalties to give Pure Trouble the win.

Purple Rain got their second win by defeating Pink Panthers 2 – 0 with Jacintha Weeks and Darci Reich on the scoresheet. Pure Trouble then defeated Fire 1 – 0 with Vanterpool scoring again. In the penultimate game, Pure Trouble kept their undefeated record intact when Kiara Woodley scored a late equalizer against Purple Rain, who had gone ahead through Kara Lewis. However, the momentum turned in the favour of Pure Trouble who went on to capture the win in the ensuing penalty shootout 2 – 1.

The last match of the day saw Fire and Pink Panthers play to a 1 – 1 draw with goals from Murcella Gordon and French.

Chelsea Edwards, Best Young Player, BVIFA Women’s Festival Cup

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, BVIFA

BVIFA plans a weekend of Football Festivals

July 30, 2020 by Admin

The BVIFA is promising an August holiday weekend full of football, Festival Style, at its National Stadium venue in East End / Long Look from August 1 – 4, 2020.

Although the Men’s Festival Cup kicks the action off on Saturday, August 1, full attention will be on the Women’s Festival Cup, scheduled for Sunday, August 2, as newly appointed Head Coaches, Wayne Phillips and Anna French look to revitalize and showcase women’s football within the BVI.

According to French, “the goal of the event is to revitalize and showcase women’s football within the BVI, identify and recruit talented players for the national program, and boost excitement for the upcoming women’s club competition.”

The Women’s Festival Cup will be run as a one-day round robin-style five-a-side tournament featuring 4 teams that will be drafted by national coaches on the morning of the event. Check-in and warmups will begin from 11:30 am with the first matches kicking off at 1pm. Round-robin games of 20 minutes (10 minutes each half) will be played throughout the day and the final match kick-off is at 3:30.

Players of all skill levels are highly encouraged to attend and participate. Supporters are welcomed but please note that social distancing measures will be enforced.

Lorrelle Walters-Abrams is the BVIFA Executive Member responsible for Women’s football and she noted, “one of the BVIFA’s strategic plans is to develop and promote Women’s football in the territory and get the Clubs more actively involved. The importance of Women’s football is not only recognizable, but it can also bring positive change and impact the Territory. Knowing we are a small country in comparison to our Caribbean neighbors, it is important to our well being both physically and mentally. With the support of the BVIFA Executive body and Technical staff along with strong leadership of Technical Director, Dan Neville, we will achieve our goals”

“We are all really looking forward to August 2 when we host the Women’s Festival Cup,” noted Neville. “I’m delighted with the growth of the women’s program over the last 12 months. Wayne and Anna have grown the numbers week-on-week and Lorrelle has played a key part in the program in terms of energy and ideas.”

Neville added that the BVIFA are also in advanced preparations and talks with the National League clubs to get a Women’s National League started in September.

There is also a Men’s Festival Cup over the Bank Holiday weekend, with games scheduled for East End / Long Look as well as Virgin Gorda.

In the first round the Wolues will face Lion Heart, at the National Stadium, East END / Long Look (4pm) whilst over on Virgin Gorda, the Panthers are up against the Rebels at 6pm and then the Islanders take on the Sugar Boys at 8pm.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, BVIFA

BVIOC distributes Panam Sports coach funding to national federations

July 1, 2020 by Admin

BVIOC presents coach hiring funds from Panam Sports to its national federations — BVI National Federations receive coach hiring funds from Panam Sports distributed by the BVIOC

The BVI Olympic Committee distributed cheques totaling $100,000 from Panam Sports to 14 of its member federations on June 26, 2020. The funds are part of Panam Sports’ special project for the hiring of coaches in support of sports development in the Americas.

The 14 national federations which currently are active and which are recipients of the coaching funds include Archery, Athletics, Basketball, Cycling, Football, Rugby, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Sailing, Softball/Baseball, Squash, Swimming and Volleyball.

“Coaching is a fundamental part of the success of any athlete or team and the development of sports,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC. “The BVIOC applied to receive its allocation of $100,000 from Panam Sports which earmarked the money specifically for the hiring of coaches. The BVIOC and its national federations are very appreciative of the funding which is yet another demonstration of Panam Sports’ continued commitment to supporting the growth and development of sports across its 41 member nations which includes the Virgin Islands.”

The funding for coaches is one of the latest tangible resources Panam Sports has made available to the BVIOC and its member federations. Sports and athletes receive the direct benefits which the BVIOC apply for whether it’s through a donation of training equipment, funds for repairs to facilities – including the replacement of the Mondo track at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds or through development initiatives such as coach training sessions.

Panam Sports is also engaged with all athletes across the continent with its ongoing virtual support sessions featuring professional experts in all aspects of sports both physical and psychological. The virtual sessions were introduced as part of the organizations’ response to the impact of COVID-19 on athletes and their training and competition programmes in the lead up to the now rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

About Panam Sports

The Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) was established on August 8th, 1948 and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the continental Association of the NOCs of the Americas. In 2017 the organization was rebranded as Panam Sports.

Its principal objects are the celebration and conduct of the Pan American Games and the promotion, development and protection of sport, as well as the Olympic Movement, in the Americas through its member NOCs. The current President, Neven Ilic, has held the post since 2017.