BVI Athletics Association Athletes Awards Gala 2016

By BVI Athletics Association

poster-gala-fbThe 8th BVI Athletics Association Athletes Awards Gala will take place at The Moorings Mariner Inn at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 29, 2016.

The Nominees of the Sol Athlete of the Year awards are as follows:

Sol Youth Female Athlete of the Year – Adaejah Hodge, Ariyah Smith, Tamri Thomas

Sol Youth Male Athlete of the Year – Sean Samuel, Malaki Smith, Khybah Dawson, Tiondre Frett

Sol Jr. Male Athlete of the Year – Kyron McMaster, Akeem Bradshaw, K’Cei Moses, Djimon Gumbs

Sol Jr. Female Athlete of the Year – Z’Niah Hutchinson, L’T’sha Fahie, Tarika Moses, Beyonce Defreitas, Lakeisha Warner, Arianna Hayde

Sol Sr. Male Athlete of the Year – Khari Herbert, Eldred Henry

Sol Sr. Female Athlete of the Year – Tahesia Harrigan – Scott, Karene King, Ashley Kelly, Chantel Malone

The Most Outstanding Track and Field Performances nominees are as follows:

Most Outstanding Combined Track Events Male Athlete – Akeem Bradshaw, Kyron McMaster, Khari Herbert

Most Outstanding Combined Field Events Male Athlete – Akeem Bradshaw, Eldred Henry

Most Outstanding Combined Track Events Female Athlete – Ashely Kelly, Karene King, Taylor Hill

Most Outstanding Combined Field Events Female Athlete – Kala Penn, Tynelle Gumbs, Arianna Hayde

Most Outstanding Combined Events Male Athlete – Eldred Henry, Akeem Bradshaw

Most Outstanding Women’s Open Field Athlete – Chantel Malone, Tynelle Gumbs

Most Outstanding Girls Under 20 Track Athlete – Nelda Huggins, Lakeisha Warner, Tarika Moses, L’T’sha Fahie

Most Outstanding Girls Under 20 Field Athlete – Kayla Penn, Britney Peters

Most Outstanding Boy Under 18 Track Athlete – Rakeel Jack, Joshua Hill, K’Cei Moses, Rikkoi Brathwaite

Most Outstanding Girls Under 18 Track Athlete – Beyonce Defreitas, Shaniyah Caul

Most Outstanding Boys Under 18 Field Athlete – Djimon Gumbs, Diamante Gumbs

Most Outstanding Girl Under 18 Field Athlete – Arianna Hayde, Akira Phillips, Z’Niah Hutchinson

Most Outstanding Boys Under 15 Track Athlete – Malaki Smith, Malik John, Jaleel Croal

Most Outstanding Girls Under 15 Track Athlete – Akrisa Eristee, Zara Brown, Tashara Edwards

Most Outstanding Boys 13 Field Athlete – Khybah Dawson, Sh’ael Lavacia, Kyron Walwyn, Stephen Emmanuel

Outstanding Girl Under 13 Field Athlete – Ariyah Smith, Akeela McMaster

Outstanding Boys Under 13 Track Athlete – Sh’ael Lavacia, Khybah Dawson, Kyron Walwyn, Caryliek Benjamin

Outstanding Girls Under 13 Track Athlete – Ariyah Smith, D’neigh Williams, Akeela McMaster, Kaelyaah Liburd, Jahtivyah William

Most Outstanding Boys Under 11 Track Athlete – Kaleem Lettsome, Delano Hodge

Most Outstanding Girls Under 11 Track Athlete – Chidinma Emelandu, Asia McMaster, Adaejah Hodge, Acaida Frett, Jah’kyla Morton, Shannia Johnson

Most Outstanding Boys Under 11 Field Athlete – Kaleem Lettsome, Sean Samuel, Johari Lacey, K’shawn Martin, Delano Hodge

Most Outstanding Girls Under 11 Field Athlete – Adeajah Hodge, Acaida Frett, Jah’Kyla Morton, Kijuanna Callwood

Most Outstanding Girls Under 9 Field Athlete – Tamri Thomas, Shyra Stoutt

Most Outstanding Gils Under 9 Track Athlete – Tamri Thomas, Jayla Winter, Shyra Stoutt

Most Outstanding Boys Under 9 Field Athlete – Latriel Williams, Sterling Stoutt

Most Outstanding Boys Under 9 Track Athlete – Tiondre Frett, Sterling Stoutt, Jaheem Lennard- Joseph
Road Race Series Male Athlete of the Year – Julius Farley, Reuben Stoby, Zebalon McLean
Road Race Series Female Athlete of the Year – Rosmond Johnson, Maria Mays, Saungie Liburd

College Race Series Cross Country Awards
Open Men: Samuel Romney, Julius Farley, Reuben Stoby
Open Women: Saungie Liburd, Rosmond Johnson, Jessica Broderick

Girasoli Wins 2016 Commodore’s Race

By RBVIYC

 Keith LiGreci and Girasoli won the 2016 Commodore's Cup. Photo: RBVIYC / Clair Burke


Keith LiGreci and Girasoli won the 2016 Commodore’s Cup. Photo: RBVIYC/Clair Burke

Eight boats entered the 2016 Commodore’s Race and enjoyed a blustery day’s sailing with Keith Li Greci on Girasoli taking the title.

The fleet was treated to a range of conditions with a beautiful BVI sailing day of big seas and big breeze giving way to intense squalls reportedly hitting the 40 knot mark and descending like a fog to obliterate all vision.

The course took the fleet from the start line in Road Harbour up to Hog Valley Green, across the channel to round Dead Chest before heading West to pass Pelican and Flanigan to Starboard, giving the crews a choice of heading out into the feisty conditions around the back of Peter Island or taking the inshore route. It was then back up to the Rhone Anchor dive buoy off Peter Island and then retunring across to finish between the Royal BVI Yacht and Lark Bank.

Keith LiGreci’s Girasoli took comfortable line honours after racing for just over three hours which proved to also be enough to take the overall win.

Second to finish was John Hayes on Wildfire with Aaron Gardner’s Bravissimo crossing the line exactly five minutes later. On corrected time, this gave Bravissimo second overall but Wildfire had to settle for fifth after another fine performance from David Lake on Wicked Winch.

Todd Patterson’s Dances with Whales fired off the start line and powered around the course in just over four hours. Opting to take the outer route around the back of Peter Island, the regulars from Pipe Dream found much value in the more comfortable ‘facilities’ of Dances, not least the ability to shelter from the rain!.

Don Pietrykowski skippered Reverie to sixth place. Two boats, Sapphire Breeze and Cheeky Monkey (STX), elected to retire and not risk damage to themselves or equipment.

The RBVIYC thanked sponsors O’Neal & Mundy, and Eddie Brockbank and Pam Fuller for running the Race Committee.

Overall
1. Girasoli – Keitih LiGreci
2. Bravissimo – Aaron Gardner (1st Racing)
3. Wicked Winch – David Lake
4. Wildfire – John Hayes
5. Dances with Whales – Todd Patterson
6. Reverie – Don Pietrykowski
RTD Sapphire Breeze – Stephen St Leger Moore
RTD Cheeky Monkey – Craig Hassey (STX)

The Commodore’s Race is part of the Pusser’s Painkiller Series – for results updates visit the West End Yacht Club Facebook page.

HLSCC & ESHS Students Win Archery Cup in Nevis

By HLSCC

HLSCC & ESHS Students that made up Team BVI to win Archery Cup in Nevis. Photo: Virgin Islands Archers Association

HLSCC & ESHS Students that made up Team BVI to win Archery Cup in Nevis. Photo: Virgin Islands Archers Association

With an amazing win, the five member team representing the BVI claimed the victory cup in an archery competition held in Nevis over the weekend. Hosted by the Nevis Archery Association, the competition commenced on Saturday 17th December, and concluded on Sunday 18th December, 2016.

The BVI team was comprised of three students from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, one student from the Elmore Stoutt High School, and instructor Ms. Winette Lawrence.

The Nevis and BVI team competed in four categories which included target shoot distances of 15 meters, 30 meters, Federal-50 meters, and Field shoots that involved shooting at targets from varying heights while traveling through the bushy area at Mount Travers, Nevis.

Team BVI’s unique bow and arrow skills landed 4 gold medals, 3 silver medals, 2 bronze medals and the Nevis Challenge Cup. Individual awards were received by

Adriel Singh (HLSCC) – 1st Place – 30 meters, 1st Place -15 meters

Jahmaine Liburd (HLSCC) – 2nd Place – 30 meters, 2nd Place – 15 meters

Teandra Donovan (HLSCC) – 3rd Place – 30 meters

Shaniah Daignauth (ESHS) – 3rd Place – 15 meters

Winette Lawrence (Instructor) – 2nd place – 50 meters, 1st Place – 15 meters, and 1st Place – Field Shoot

BVI Archery Association President, Mr. Patrick Smith said, “the past weekend event provided a much needed opportunity to see how the team would perform under pressure now that we preparing for a rating event in Salinas Puerto Rico next year. From this regional competition, we can now see exactly where we are and what we need to work on for our next competition. Certainly, you’ll be hearing about us again as they continue to “pull ‘em back and let ‘em fly!”

The next tournament is the Juan Enrico Barrios Cup in Puerto Rico, at the end of April.

Team BVI reports on 2016 OECS Swimming Championship

By CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank

Diane Francis, Manager, Retail Banking, CIBC FirstCaribbean (L) with BVI Swim team members who competed in the 2016 OECS Swimming Championships (l-r), Khadija Sampson, Arianna Angus, Keon Sampson, Kurt Salapare, Kassia Nichols, swim coach, Elsworth Phillip, and Kishma Williams, Administrative Officer, CIBC FirstCaribbean. Missing from photo, swimmer Jaden Marshall. Photo: CIBC FirstCaribbean

Diane Francis, Manager, Retail Banking, CIBC FirstCaribbean (L) with BVI Swim team members who competed in the 2016 OECS Swimming Championships (l-r), Khadija Sampson, Arianna Angus, Keon Sampson, Kurt Salapare, Kassia Nichols, swim coach, Elsworth Phillip, and Kishma Williams, Administrative Officer, CIBC FirstCaribbean. Missing from photo, swimmer Jaden Marshall. Photo: CIBC FirstCaribbean

With the support of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank and the BVI Olympic Committee, the BVI Swimming Federation sent its top six local based swimmers to the 26th OECS Swimming Championship which took place in St Vincent and the Grenadines on November 10-12.

The 2016 championships fielded a total of 187 competitive swimmers from the OECS region. Teams participating included Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, St. Martin, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Martinique.

Khadija Sampson, who won the 2015 OECS Swimming Championship 100m freestyle bronze medal, participated in the Girls’ 8 and Under category competing in the 100m, 50m and 25m Freestyle, the 100m Individual Medley, the 25m ButterFly, the 25m Backstroke, and the 25m Breaststroke.

Arianna Angus, Kassia Nichols competed in the Girls’ 11-12 age group while Jaden Marshall, Keon Sampson and Kurt Salapare competed in the Boys’ 11-12 age group. Both sets of groups swam in the 400m, 200m, 100m & 50m Freestyle, the 100m & 50m Breaststroke, the 100m & 50m Butterfly, the 100m & 50m Backstroke, and the 200m & 100m Individual Medley.

The top male swimmer for Team BVI was Jaden Marshall who won three of his heats swimming to national records and top female swimmer for Team BVI was Khadija Sampson who swam to all personal best and became the first BVI 8 and under Swimmer to swim the 25m freestyle under 17 seconds swimming the event in 16.98 seconds.

This was the first swim meet of its size that the swimmers had competed in and representatives of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank met with the young swimmers to recognise their representation of the territory and their personal achievements.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you and to hear about your performances and your experiences in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” said Ms Diane Francis, Retail Banking Manager. “CIBC FirstCaribbean is really proud to support you in your efforts and to encourage you to keep up with the hard work and effort in improving in your sport. It’s good to know that you enjoyed visiting a new country and meeting other young swimmers from around the region while representing the BVI. We look forward to keeping up with your progress.”

“Even though team BVI did not win a medal at this year’s OECS Swimming Champs, we were happy with the overall performance of our swimmers as they swam for many personal bests at the meet, which is a clear indication to their commitment to the sport,” said Elsworth Phillip, the BVI Swimming Federation coach, “As a Federation and as a team, we are very appreciative of the support and encouragement that we have received from CIBC FirstCaribbean and the BVI Olympic Committee.”

Download results.

The 2017 OECS Swimming Championships will be held in Martinique.

One Love leaps forward but Islanders lead National League

By BVIFA

Andre Thomas shoots and scores to give One Love a surprise 1-0 win over the Sugar Boyz. Photo: BVIFA

Andre Thomas shoots and scores to give One Love a surprise 1-0 win over the Sugar Boyz. Photo: BVIFA

One Love F.C. jumped into fifth place in the National League standings with a surprise 1-0 victory over the high flying Sugar Boyz on Saturday 10th December, whilst the Islanders were handed all 3 points by VG Utd, who failed to have enough players ready at game time on Sunday.

The last weekend of action before the Christmas break also featured the Panthers getting a forfeit win over the Wolues F.C. and a power outage causing the cancellation of the Rebels against Old Madrid.

One Loves win, courtesy of a goal scored by Andre Thomas, gives the same 12 points as Old Madrid, who are in sixth thanks to a lessor goal difference, whilst the defeat of Sugar Boyz all but hands the unbeaten Islanders the title.

With 30 points, the Islanders are ahead of the Sugar Boyz by 9 points and there are only 5 games left for the Virgin Gorda based team to make up the difference.

The last game of the season features the pair and could still be a winner take all match up.

The battle for 3rd and fourth is a much tighter affair although the Rebels are 6 points clear of the Wolues, who have 13 points and sit fourth. However, One Love and Old Madrid have 12 each and with the top four qualifying for the lucrative Big Four Cup, it is all to play for.

Heading into the Christmas Break, Kenmore Peters is still the top scorer, with 10, whilst Richard Morgan has 9, Kevin Fisher 8 and Kevin Carragher 7.

Boomorang Wins 47th Peg Legs Round Tortola Race

By Royal BVI Yacht Club

Peg Legs Round Tortola Race 2016. Photo: Nanny Cay

Peg Legs Round Tortola Race 2016. Photo: Nanny Cay

Sixteen boats took part in the 47th annual Peg Legs Round Tortola Race on Saturday (December 10) with trimaran Triple Jack taking line honours but Boomorang skippered by Kevin Wrigley taking the overall prize on corrected time for the second consecutive year.

Chris Haycraft’s Pipe Dream, after battling it boat for boat with Boomorang, was second and Spike skippered by Sam Talbot was a third. Racing class results also went in that order.

Triple Jack won the multihull division with contender Fault Intolerant, a Gunboat 60, retiring due to gear failure.

David Lake and his crew on Wicked Winch took cruising class and Keith LiGreci’s Girasoli, the performance cruising class.

The last three boats back – Gypsea, Wildfire and Sapphire Breeze – all came in within 20 mins of each other as the sun was setting with the last, Sapphire Breeze, racing for more than 8 hours. Triple Jack took 3 hours and 44 minutes.

A course change for 2016 race gave competitors more tactical decisions; the course still took the racers anti-clockwise around Tortola but gave them the option to sail between Scrub, Great Camano and Guana Islands and Tortola or head further out to sailing outside them all. However, with the inner route taking 7 miles taken off the course, everyone went that way, thoroughly enjoying the change and the challenge of navigating through some tricky reef formations and an energetic current.

Then, as in previous races, the fleet headed to West End where, after a quick wiggle through Soper’s Hole, it was a beat back to the finish line off Nanny Cay.

The prize giving was held at the Beach Bar at Nanny Cay where a haul-out and launch and the Round Tortola trophy were awarded to the overall winner and vouchers from Peg Legs and Nanny Cay were dispensed to the class winners. Competitors also picked up valuable points towards the Pussers Painkiller Series.

SPOOKIE’s round Tortola record of 3 hours and 8 minutes was under no threat this year. Only boats rounding Great Camanoe and Guana Island to port were eligible for the Nanny Cay Challenge.

Results
Racing
1. Boomorang – Kevin Wrigley (1st Overall)
2. Pipe Dream – Chris Haycraft (2nd Overall)
3. Spike – Sam Talbot (3rd Overall)
4. Firewater – Henri Leoning (4th Overall)
5. Sanderling – Mark Sanders (5th Overall)
6. Black Peal – Eddie Brockbank (7th Overall)
7. Bravissimo – Aaron Gardner (9th Overall)
8. Black Pig – Gilbo Simpson (10th Overall)

Multihull
1. Triple Jack – Richard Wooldridge (6th Overall)
2. Wildfire – Ted Egan (15th Overall)
RTD. Fault Intolerant – Joe Pelletier

Performance Cruising
1. Girasoli – Keitih LiGreci (8th Overall)

Cruising
1. Wicked Winch – David Lake (11th Overall)
2. Reverie – Don Pietrykowski (12th Overall)
3. Gypsea – Bruce Fletcher (13th Overall)
4. Sapphire Breeze – Stephen St Leger Moore (14th Overall)

Nanny Cay Challenge
TP52 SPOOKIE broke the Monohull Nanny Cay Challenge record in the Round Tortola Race at this year’s BVI Spring Regatta. An elapsed time of 3:08:43, took a whopping 21 minutes off the previous record of 03:29:44, set in March 2013 by Peter Corr’s Aiyana, an Alia 82.

Trimaran Triple Jack holds the outright and multihull Round Tortola Record of 2 hours, 33 minutes and 40 seconds.

Nanny Cay launched the Nanny Cay Challenge for the round Tortola record in 2010. Yachts visiting the British Virgin Islands are invited to make an attempt to beat the latest round Tortola records.

It’s an all-comer, any-day event, starting and finishing off Nanny Cay. Competitors must attempt the record anti-clockwise and round Beef, Scrub Island, Great Camanoe and Guana Island to port.

As with most sailing events, the reward is in the taking part and bragging rights but record breakers will be able to celebrate their feat with a free dinner at Peg Legs for up to 15 crew members and a jeroboam of champagne compliments of Nanny Cay. Record breakers also get their name on the perpetual trophy which is on display year-round in Peg Legs Restaurant.
Challengers must pay an entry fee of a $250 which is donated to a BVI charity of the challenger’s choice and includes two night’s dockage (before and after attempt) at Nanny Cay.

The charities to benefit so far:
– BVI Humane Society, $250, Triple Jack (April 2015)
– RBVIYC Youth Sailing Programme: $250, SPOOKIE, March 2016; $250, Aiyana, March 2013
– VISAR: Aiyana, $250, March 2013
– KATS: $250, INTAC, November 2012
– BVI Humane Society: $250, Triple Jack (October 2012); $250, Soma (April 2010)

Record Holders
Monohull
TP 52, SPOOKIE, Steve & Heidi Benjamin – March 29, 2013 – 3 hours, 08 mins, 43 secs

Multihull
Triple Jack, Richard Wooldridge/Steve Davis – April 30, 2015 – 2 hrs, 33 mins, 40 secs

BDO Primary and BVIFA High School League updates

Begrado Flax U12's beat Pelican Gate, 2-0. Photo: BVIFA

Begrado Flax U12’s beat Pelican Gate, 2-0. Photo: BVIFA

Bregado Flax took a share of top spot in the BDO U12 Primary School League with a 2-0 win over Pelican Gate.

Jaden Abrams converted a first half penalty, whilst Jamoi Hodge put the icing on the cake with a late second half strike.

St Georges continued a recent run of good form with a 3-1 win over Althea Scatliffe, thanks to a first half brace from Jefferson Frank. Adrian Padilla made it 3-0 towards the end of the second half, before Jeremiah Hopkins scored a late consolation for ASPS.

Cedar Green and Alexandrina Maduro Primary remain unbeaten in the standings to be first and second, respectively on goal difference, from BFEC, whilst ASPS are fourth.

In the U14 High School League, Cedar School leapfrogged over BFEC, with a 2-0 win, into second place in the standings, but still five points behind unbeaten leaders, ESHS.

Cedar’s game against BFEC was called off after an injury to the goalkeeper reduced the boys from VG to just six players on the field.

The goals coming from Scott Kirk and Luca Reich

In the High School Girls league, Cedar went top, on goal difference, from BFEC, with an 8-1 romp over the SDA Girls.

Hat tricks from Darci Reich and Lilly Pierce along with a goal each for Tola Broderick and Caron Simmons sealed the deal for Cedar, although SDA had been level at 1-1 after a strike from Daveon Topper.

BFEC maintained the pace in the race for the Championship with a hard fought 4-2 win over St Georges Girls, despite being a goal down, scored by Kiara Woodley, for much of the first half.

Jakisha Rigobert netted the equalizer and Kayla Skelton the go-ahead goal on the stroke of half time, before Loreal George scored twice in the second half to secure all 3 points.

BVIAA conducts IAAF Level 1 Certificate Coaching Course

By BVI Athletics Association

BVI's participants in the IAAF Level 1 Certificate Coaching Course. Photo: BVIAA/CM Farrington

BVI’s participants in the IAAF Level 1 Certificate Coaching Course. Photo: BVIAA/CM Farrington

The BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA) held its opening ceremony for an International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Level 1 Certificate Coaching Course at the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS) conference room on Monday, December 12, 2016. The sixteen participants on the course which runs through Thursday, Dcember 22, 2016 include: Akeem Lewis, Teymahl Huggins, Owen Telemaque, Burt Dorsette, Orville McMaster, Shamica Glascow, Jennifer King, AnnaBelle Skelton-Malone, Bianca Dougan-Charles, Willis Maduro, Johnt’a Charles, Limiel Hodge, Sanya Penn, Javon Carty, Karene King, and Eustace Freeman

In her remarks, Acting Director of Department of Youth Affairs & Sports (DYAS), Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye stated that the Ministry of Education and Culture under the leadership of the Hon. Myron V. Walwyn is very progressive and committed to the development of sports in the territory. Mrs. Lettsome-Tye commended the BVIAA in its efforts to encourage, develop and support opportunities for the training of coaches which is in line with the Territory’s National Sports Policy’s strategic plan. She added that “the Ministry and DYAS are very pleased to support this effort,” and she encouraged the participants to “learn as much as you can, learn the techniques and learn the skills so that in turn you can impart that to your athletes and in turn develop the standards of the level of BVI Athletics in the Territory.”

Mr. Kevin Gordon, manager of course supporter, Digicel said that he is elated to be a part of everything that the Virgin Islands does. He referred to the success of Athletics in the Caribbean with such coaches as Glen Mills and Steve Francis bringing some super star athletes to the front and that the a trend now is set in the Caribbean where you come to the Caribbean for Track and Field talents such as in sprints and long jump. Mr. Gordon ended his remarks by encouraging the participants to “Learn as much as you can learn from these 12 days of coaching; you can only get better, and Digicel would be happy to support you in any way that we possibly can going forward.”

BVI Athletics Association’s President, Mr. Steve Augustine marked this day as a memorable day for BVI Athletics as the stage is now set for the further creation of competent BVI Coaches. “The BVI Athletics Association, in tandem with the coaching principles of the IAAF, recognizes that if we are to further progress at the world stage in athletics, we must be strategic in our athlete development approach,” he said. The objective of the BVIAA is to qualify coaches involved in the training of young athletes (under 16) by providing them with the skills necessary to teach all the events of athletics. Mr. Augustine further stated that such factors as the importance of an active and dynamic warm up and cool down, healthy diet through nutrition and hydration, rest, relaxation and sleep are all key learning components that are expected from all participants to grasp and understand upon the completion of the course.

In his remarks, Mr. Angel Luis Alicea Rosario, Lecturer of IAAF, Kids Athletic Project Director in Puerto Rico provided the outline of the course set out below. Mr. Rosario as well as Mr. Augustine will be the instructors of the course during the next 12 days. There will be a practical evaluation, final evaluation and written test in order to go to the next level. Mr Rosario said “it is a great commitment and work hard during and after the course.”

Mr. Dag Samuels who chaired the opening ceremony acknowledged the past BVIAA President Mr. Dean Greenaway who was supportive of the IAAF Level 1 Certificate Coaching course initiative.

In closing remarks, Coach Dag Samuel thanked the IAAF for the assistance secured through Athletics Olympic Dividend, the utilization of the DYAS conference room and the support of the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Special acknowledgements were made to Digicel and Mourant Ozannes for their contributions to the participants taking part in the 12 day Level 1 Coaching course.

IAAF CECS Level 1

IAAF CECS Level 1

16-11-11-iaaf-cecs-level-i-tt-11-2016

Junior athletes to benefit from Pole Vault Clinic

Arianna Hayde, BVIAA coach Ericca Frederick and Jelani Norman. Photo: BVIOC/Cleave Farrington

Arianna Hayde, BVIAA coach Ericca Frederick and Jelani Norman. Photo: BVIOC

The BVI Olympic Committee in conjunction with the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA) is sending Coach Ericca Frederick and two junior athletes (aged 16-18 years) Mr. Jelani Norman and Ms. Arianna Hayde to represent the British Virgin Islands at the 2016 Association of National Olympic Committees of Eastern Caribbean States (ANOCES) Sports Academy in Grenada.

The Academy will focus on coaching and teaching the fundamentals of the pole vault event which the BVIAA and BVIOC want to have introduced as one of the competitive field sports offered in the British Virgin Islands.

The delegates departed the territory on December 9th, 2016 en route to the Spice Island Grenada until December 18th, 2016.

The programme will be conducted by Mr Jeff Petersmeyer, Director, Cross Country and Track and Field (Jumps and Multi-Event) Coach at San Jose State.

BVIOC Executive Board re-elected for a next term

 

BVI Olympic Committee Executive 2017 - 2021 (L-R) Mark Chapman, Sabinah Clement, Ephraim Penn, Neville Smith, Roy Barry and Lloyd Black. Photo Credit: BVIOC / Cleave M. Farrington

BVI Olympic Committee Executive 2017 – 2020 (L-R) Mark Chapman, Sabinah Clement, Ephraim Penn, Neville Smith, Roy Barry and Lloyd Black. Photo Credit: BVIOC / Cleave M. Farrington

The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee held its election on December 7th, 2016 at the BVIOC Headquarters. Two positions were contested, that of Secretary General and Athletes’ Representative.

Nominees contesting for the position of Secretary General were Mr. Dag Samuels, Mr. Dean Greenaway, and incumbent Lloyd Black, and for Athletes’ Representative were Ralston Henry and incumbent Ms. Sabinah Clement.

The BVIOC Executive Board members who will serve the next term 2017-2020 are President – Mr. Ephraim Penn, 1st Vice President – Mr. Neville Smith, 2nd Vice President – Mr. Roy Barry, Secretary General – Mr. Lloyd Black, Treasurer – Mr. Mark Chapman, Athletes’ Representative – Ms. Sabinah Clement.

In his remarks, BVIOC President Mr. Ephraim Penn highlighted some main objectives which include the support of elite athletes to achieve Podium finishes; to increase the number of sports participating in major games; to promote the Olympic Values of Respect, Excellence and Friendship; and to promote drug free sport through the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) programme.

Mr. Penn expressed thanks to the board members who worked tirelessly with him since 2008, namely Mr. Mark Chapman, Mr. Neville Smith and Mr. Roy Barry.

“I am proud to have been part of a team that has created a solid foundation that has supported the development of competitive sports in the territory and its continued growth with credible performances from our athletes regionally and internationally,” said Mr. Penn. “We have come a long way but we still have further to go. I acknowledge the trust that has been placed in me as president and in the other elected officers and members of the Executive Committee to commit to our roles and to deliver on expectations of the BVIOC as a member of the IOC. We stand ready to continue with our efforts to achieve the goals of the next quadrennial.”