Live broadcast of VI’s four athletes competing in Rio 2016 Olympics

July 20, 2016 by
Rio 2016 #TeamBVI - Live action on CBN Channel 51

Rio 2016 #TeamBVI – Live action on CBN Channel 51

Four athletes will represent the Virgin Islands at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games which take place in Brazil from August 5 – 21. The BVI Olympic Committee confirmed that the VI’s qualified track runners, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (100m) and Ashley Kelly (200m) will be joined by young swimmer, Elinah Phillip (50m Freestyle) and field athlete, Eldred Henry (Shot Put) competing through the universality invitation.

CANOC Broadcasting Inc (CBI) acquired the broadcast rights for the Rio 2016 Olympics and the local scheduling of live broadcasts of events in which Caribbean national athletes will compete. Events take place from 8.00am until 2.00pm and in the evenings from 7.00pm until 11.00pm.

The broadcast on ESPN Caribbean will cover all Olympic events including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies but will focus on Caribbean sports as well as interviews of Caribbean athletes prior to the events. The live coverage can be seen on CBN Television Channel 51 and listened to on the radio by tuning into CBN Radio 90.9FM.

Furthermore, the BVI Olympic Committee has invested in a decoder to be used by CBN to ensure that fans in the VI can follow the live broadcast of all the events in which the VI’s athletes will be competing.

The first rounds for these events are scheduled to take place on August 12 with Tahesia Harrigan-Scott in the Women’s 100m Preliminary Round / Round 1. The Women’s 100m semi finals and final will take place on August 13. Also on August 12, Elinah Phillip will compete in the Women’s 50m Freestyle Heats with the semi finals taking place later that day. The final for the 50m Freestyle takes place on August 13.

On August 15 Ashley Kelly will compete in Round 1 of the 200M. The semi finals will take place on August 16 and the final on August 17. On August 18, Eldred Henry will be throwing the Shot Put.

Mr. Rey O’Neal will be in the studio during the competitions with commentary and analysis of athlete performances.

“This will be the first time that we will have live broadcasting of our athletes in competition at the Olympic Games,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC. “We invested in the decoder because we really want viewers and supporters to be able to watch the action for which our athletes have trained so hard. The Olympic Games are the pinnacle and goal of every athlete and it is no mean feat to have gained a spot in this global event. There are flexible, affordable advertising opportunities during the Olympic Games broadcasts on CBN Channel 51 and any interested persons should contact the BVIOC on (284) 494 6920 or by email at cmfarrington@bviolympics.org.”

CBN will also be broadcasting the semi finals and finals for the VI’s other national federation sports of Archery, Basketball, Cycling, Football, Rugby, Tennis, Taekwondo, and Volleyball. FLOW customers will also be able to watch alternative live feeds through the FLOW ID app.

Updates on the VI’s athletes at Rio 2016 will be posted on the BVIOC accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and can be found on these platforms under BVI Olympic Committee.

Chef de Mission for Rio 2016, Stephanie Russ Penn will be traveling to Rio one week in advance of the August 5 Opening Ceremony to prepare for the arrival of the athletes.

In addition to Mrs. Russ Penn, the official delegation to Rio 2016 includes Winston Potter, Athletics Coach, Omar Jones, Athletics Coach, Benoit Grattepanche, Swimming Coach, Tracy Bradshaw, Swimming Chaperone, Matthew McGrath, Physiotherapist, Dr. Harlan Vanterpool, Doctor, Mark Chapman, Olympic Attache, Ephraim Penn, President, BVIOC and Lloyd Black, Secretary General.

Filed Under: Athletics, Buy Tickets for Rio 2016, BVI Olympic Committee, Rio News, Swimming Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Warner, Fahie Advance To World Jr Championships Semifinals

July 20, 2016 by
Photo: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

Photo: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

By BVI Athletics Association

British Virgin Islands 400m Hurdler Lakeisha “Mimi” Warner and sprinter L’T’Sha “Bella” Fahie, advanced to today’s semifinals of their respective events in the XVI IAAF World Jr. Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland on Wednesday.

Carifta Games silver medalist Warner, ran “a safe race” over the barriers finishing in one minute 00.93 seconds to automatically advance and has drawn lane two in the second semifinal today.

“After I started, I hit the first hurdle with the wrong leg and from there, I chipped and hurdled with the wrong leg for the whole race,” Warner pointed out. “After that, I was trying to come in the top four. It wasn’t a hard race and I wasn’t really tired at the end. I just tried to make sure I positioned myself so I could advance. I was trying to fix what I messed up because I have to run even faster, if I want to make it to the finals.”

Warner said she’ll adjust her blocks setting so that she can attack the hurdle and lead with her preferred leg.

Fahie, a 2015 IAAAF World Youth Championships semifinalist, grabbed one of the six fastest losers spots to reach the 100m semis, after running 11.78 seconds just .01 off the 11.77 personal best she ran in the Invitational segment of the 2nd OECS Championships on July 2.

“Warming up, I was very confident in myself, trusted my coach and my training and pictured the race in my head,” said Fahie who will run from lane two in the third heat of the semifinals today. “I was nervous going to the call room but as I hugged my teammate Tarika (Moses) all the nerves went out the door. When I got on the line, I told myself that I’d been working long and hard to get kicked out of the first round, so go out and do your thing.”  Nelda Huggins placed fourth in her 100m heat in 11.87 seconds and the US Virgin Islands’ Nia Jack, was seventh in the same heat in 12.33.

The BVI’s Kyron McMaster will contest the 400m Hurdles today. He will run from lane six in the third of seven heats of the event.

Action began on Tuesday, when the USVI’s Mia Dorsey finished sixth in the first of five 400m heats. She had a time of 55.21 seconds. The BVI’s Tarika “Tinkerbbell” Moses, competing in heat five, placed fifth in her section in 55.04. Neither advanced to the semis.

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With: ,

BVI Secure Top Tier Results at Optimist North American Championships

July 19, 2016 by
OptiChampionships

Photo by Matias Capizzano

Four Team BVI sailors raced last week in Antigua at the 2016 Seaboard Optimist North American Championships.

144 sailors from 20 countries were competing with Rayne Duff, Nathan Haycraft, Kyle Roose and Ryan Lettsome representing the BVI.

Racing got underway on Monday with the Team Racing Competition taking place on Thursday.  Conditions were varied but generally lighter winds than expected combined with big seas made for some challenging racing.

Finishing just outside the top 10 in eleventh was Rayne Duff.  Sailing a consistent series, Duff started the final day in 9th position but a 26th place in the final race pushed him just out of the top spots by three points.

The only sailor to post a first place result during the week was Nathan Haycraft which he backed up with three other top 4 finishes.  Unfortunately a starting penalty in the penultimate race saw Haycraft’s hopes for a top ten finish slip away and he ended the regatta in 18th position.

After an exceptional result in the practice race session, Kyle Roose was not able to find his top form and suffered heavily from three starting penalties of which he could only discard one.

Competing for the first time at this level of competition, Lettsome was the second youngest competitor at the event and clocked up some great big fleet racing experience.

In the Team Racing competition all four sailors raced together for the national title.  A first flight defeat to Canada was followed up by victory against the USA before the team were eventually dispatched by Bermuda so just missed the final stages.

Overall Results
11th Rayne Duff
18th Nathan Haycraft
129th Ryan Lettsome
132nd Kyle Roose

Filed Under: Sailing

VI Take Bronze at Female CBC Championship

July 19, 2016 by
CBCFemaleChamps

Photo: Facebook

By VINO

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, VI – The [British] Virgin Islands (VI) held off Antigua and Barbuda for a 44-38 win in the third place playoff of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) female under-16 championship on Saturday July 16, 2016.

Putting the disappointment of a semi final loss to Suriname behind them, the VI girls, playing in their first ever regional tournament, grabbed the 3rd place spot and a place at the Centro Baskets Tournament next year with a comfortable win over the Antiguans, who had already beaten the VI in the earlier group play, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Georgetown, Guyana.

VI’s defense was impeccable and held the Antiguan offence to single-digit scores in the first three-quarters of the game.

Antigua outscored the VI in the final period 16-14 and in the second half 24-18 but were too far down to pull off the win.

Shauliqua Fahie scored more than half of the VI’s points with 25 to lead her squad to the win. She also had nine rebounds and five steals to help VI maintain their advantage throughout the course of the game.

Timna Philip had a double-double for Antigua with 14 points and 13 rebounds in the loss while Britnay Gore had nine points and 16 rebounds.

Against Suriname in the semi-finals, Shauliqua Fahie, who is the VI’s best player for the tournament, produced her lowest point’s total of the tournament with 14 points but had 18 rebounds for a double-double effort. Keithrece Smith also had 14 points in the loss.

Filed Under: Basketball Tagged With:

Jamaica win CUT Games; VI place 6th overall

July 19, 2016 by
Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

By VINO

The 16th Biannual Caribbean Union of Teachers Track and Field Championship concluded on Saturday July 16, 2016, on the AO Shirley Recreation Grounds with Jamaica retaining their title in dramatic fashion.

After two days and 61 events, both Jamaica and Barbados had a total of 498 points and it all came down to the final race, the 4 x 100m Under 15 Boys relay, which was won by the defending champs in a time of 43.35 seconds. Barbados came home second in 43.71.

Overall, Jamaica won 25 Golds, 9 Silver and 11 Bronze to finish with 45 in total, whilst the Barbadians actually won 55, but less Gold.

VI finish 6th

The Virgin Islands (VI) ended the Championships with 2 Golds, from Day One, 1Silver and 6 Bronze medals to place 7th in the medal table and 6th overall.

The Victrix was Joella Lloyd from Antigua and the Victor Malachi Harris from Barbados.

Individually, Ariyah Smith picked up the Bronze for the VI in the U13 Girls 200m in a time of 27.57, behind Aaliyah Agard from Barbados (26.91) and Brianna Lyston from Jamaica (24.99).

J’Hkoi Smith also grabbed a Bronze in the U15 Javelin with a distance of 31.21m and there was a further Bronze in the U13 Girls 4 x 100m. The team of Jahtiva Williams, Shakeaja Dore, Akeda McMaster and Ariyah Smith finished in a time of 51.63 behind Barbados and Gold Medal winners Jamaica.

On Day One, which was highlighted by Gold for Xiamara Malone in the High Jump and the U13 Girls Sprint Medley, there were Bronze Medals for Tamri Thomas, Tashira Edwards (Girls U15 400m) and Silver for Sean Samuel in the U11 Cricket Ball Throw (49.44m).

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With:

Henry Wins NACAC U23 Championships Discus, Shot Put Bronze Medals

July 19, 2016 by
Photo: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

Photo: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

By BVI Athletics Association

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador-British Virgin Islands strongman Eldred Henry used his experience from missing the podium two years ago in Canada, to land Discus Throw and Shot Put bronze medals, during the IX NACAC U23 Championships that wrapped up Sunday in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Henry’s medals capped of a stellar meet for the BVI as five of seven athletes advanced to finals.

On Friday, Henry opened his series with a 52.85m throw then recorded a season’s best 56.45m on his second attempt to secure the bronze, becoming the territory’s first to win a medal in a field event. His medal was the first since sprinter Dion Crabbe won two medals in 2000.

“To be honest, I didn’t do as well as I wanted to in the Discus,” said Henry who was fourth two years ago in Kamloops, Canada. “I had a foul that would have put me in the lead, but, I was content with keeping in the ring. The difference between last time and this time is more experience, more exposure. It always feels good to win a medal but, it wasn’t the medal that I wanted. At the end of the day, I have a medal and I’m thankful for it.”

On Sunday, he added bronze in the Shot Put with a throw of 19.11m after placing fifth in 2014 and matched Crabbe’s two bronze medals haul 16 years ago.

“Physically I was ready, just had a little technical flaw with the finish, getting my left foot around more aggressively, so it didn’t result in the pop I needed to get the extra distance,” Henry explained. “After the 19.11, I was looking to go from there and kick it up a notch and probably surpass the 20m mark because I was feeling it, like it was there, but technically, I couldn’t get the finish to result in a big throw.”

Henry said he was better physically prepared that last time as he had a long season and the meet was at the end.

“This season, I had more time to plan out the meets I was going to and have a lot more left in the tank and still have more left for the Rio Olympics,” he said.

Tynelle Gumbs finished fifth in the Hammer Throw with a best heave of 53.80m while twin sister Trevia’s throw of 46.76m, was good for eight place.

“My first four throws, the turn was good but there was no speed,” Tynelle noted. “On my fifth throw, my coach Omar (Jones) told me to go at it and be quick. I was literally grating my teeth and I hit 53 and that was my best throw.”

Trevia said she had bad throws and started to over think. “I have to do a lot of mental preparation before my next big competition,” she said. “It was a good experience competing against people who were older and better than us. This will give us good experience for the next time.”

Trevia was placed seventh in the Shot Put with a heave of 13.53m.

Taylor Hill advanced to the 100m finals after running 12.09 seconds and was seventh in the final in 12.04.

Khari Herbert was also seventh in the 400m after running a season’s best 46.55 seconds. He advanced with a time of 46.84.

Shaquoy Stephens turned in a non advancing time of 10.95 seconds to finish sixth in the 100m prelims. He finished fifth in the 200m semis in 22.12 seconds but didn’t advance. Jonel Lacey missed the last qualifying spot in the 400m after running 55.62 seconds.

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With: ,

Jamaica Triumph Over BVI in FLOW Nations Cup

July 19, 2016 by
Photo: BVIFA/Charlie E. Jackson

Photo: BVIFA/Charlie E. Jackson

The fan favourites Jamaica lifted the FLOW Nations Cup on Sunday 17th July, 2016 on the A.O. Shirley Ground, after a thrilling final saw them beat the BVI 2-1.

The Jamaicans went up half way through the first half courtesy of a strike from Sylvan Winter and in the second half a long range pile driver from Eric Campbell made it 2-0. The BVI refused to give up the cause and when Michael Baptichon scored his fifth goal of the Tournament to reduce the arrears, the large crowd sensed that they were in for a thrilling conclusion to a long day of action packed football.

However despite the best efforts of Golden Boot Winner and Tournament MVP, Baptichon, the Jamaicans held on to win.

Campbell was named Man of the Match for the Final and received a Samsung Smart phone from FLOW Managing Director Tim Ringsdoor, whilst his team received $2,000 in prize money, a trophy and individual medals.

Baptichon received a FLOW Alcatel Tablet, Trophies and $200 from the BVIFA and his team Runners Up medals as well as $1,000.

To reach the Champions podium, Jamaica had beaten St Lucia 4-2 on penalties after a dead locked 0-0 semi final in what was actually their second semi final in the double elimination format tournament.

First time of asking they had met the BVI and lost 1-0 to a Baptichon goal.

The Jamaicans had also beaten Guyana on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Guyana and thanks to a late wonderful exhibition of dribbling and finishing from Fitzroy Daley at the end of normal time.

The BVI had been inspired by the performances of Baptichon in the early rounds, cruising past St Kitts 2-0 with him scoring twice and dealing with St Vincent 2-1 with Baptichon again on the score sheet and Raul Roberts also scoring before Roger Roberts gave the Vincy a glimmer of soon to be extinguished hope.

St Lucia were valiant losing semi finalists having to play virtually nonstop for the last few games and beating St Kitts and St Vincent before being knocked out by the Jamaicans.

They had also suffered a 3-0 defeat to Guyana in their opening fixture with Derol Redhead netting twice and Michael Castillo the other scorer.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: ,

19 teams to do battle in 4th Hon Julian Fraser STS League

July 14, 2016 by
Photo by VINO

Photo by VINO

By VINO

Some 19 teams will clash in the 4th edition of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed National Basketball League, which tips off on August 20, 2016 at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom.

According to League Organisors, registration closed last week with some 19 teams registering to participate. There are 14 senior teams and 5 junior teams.

League Commissioner Mrs Kharid T. Fraser also disclosed to Virgin Islands News Online that the 19 teams registered marks the highest number of teams ever registered for the league. “That is quite a bit,” Mrs Fraser noted, in expressing her satisfaction with the number of teams registered.

All games will be played on the weekends only – Friday to Sunday – and if necessary on Wednesdays.

Draft is back

Meanwhile, the popular Draft Exercise has been retained by the League Committee as all ‘draft players’ who participated last year were returned to the pool except the draft pick of 2015 Championship Team West Gunners.

This means that the inspirational Ray D. Victor will once again be spearheading the attack of West Gunners.

West Gunners were crowned Champions of the 3rd edition of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League on Saturday November 7, 2015 after completing a sweep of the Splash Brothers, 80-69, in game two at the Save the Seed Energy Centre.

Victor had 19 points and 7 rebounds in that game even though he had to sit out for a long period following a clash of heads.

One of the Directors of the League, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) had expressed surprise that Victor was being retained as West Gunners’ draft player, saying he wasn’t aware of that rule.

“I don’t want anyone winning the league twice,” Hon Fraser had joked at the launch of the 2016 League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre Conference Room in Duff’s Bottom on June 24, 2016.

The League Committee said the purpose of the draft system is to allow for balanced competition among teams.

“This allows all senior teams to pick a local elite player (A League) in order to remain competitive so the competition will be more balanced and exciting. Elite players who are 23 years old and under do not have to participate in the draft, but can join any team,” a press release from the League on July 12, 2016 stated.

2016 Draft Players

The Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League 2016 Elite or ‘A’ players in the draft are Cedric King, David ‘Bolo’ Lettsome, Steve E. Parillon, Travis A. Isaac, Killven M. Samuel, Phillip Glasgow, Javaghn Cameron, Juan R. Hatchet, Dwayne ‘Kobo’ Penn, Nathaniel ‘Nat’ Malone, Kameron G. Young, and Sean ‘Chino’ Woods.

Rules of Draft

A raffle pick will determine which team gets which number picked in the draft. Only drafted players can be traded; however, trading of players is up to the League Committee.

Teams with the lowest record/score in the 2015 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League will get numbers 1, 2, & 3 in order to have first preference to pick in the Draft System to display fairness.

Participating in the Draft system is not compulsory; however, it is highly recommended so that each team is allowed a fair and equal opportunity in the League.

Elite players for the Draft System should be well-disciplined, and cannot be suspended from any other local Basketball League.

Important meeting

Meanwhile, the League has announced there will be an important meeting for all Team Owners, Managers, Coaches or Team Representatives on Tuesday July 12, 2016 at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre, in Sea Cows Bay.

The meeting will commence at 6:00 P.M. The League organisors will be explaining the rules and expectations of each team.

Filed Under: Basketball Tagged With:

BVI to host 2016 Caribbean Union of Teachers Track and Field Championships

July 12, 2016 by
Under 11 Squad. Photo: provided.

Under 11 Squad. Photo: provided.

The British Virgin Islands Teachers Union will be hosting the 2016 Caribbean Union of Teachers bi-annual Track and Field Championships from July 15th to 16th, 2016 on the A.O. Shirley Ground.

The Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) Games are a series of events, expected to bring together approximately seven hundred (700) of the best athletes between the ages of 8-15, along with coaches, from twenty three (23) countries in the region, in the spirit of Caribbean unity and friendly competition.

The full squad representing the Territory:

U9 – Tamri Thomas, Jayla Winter, Shrya Stoutt, Charnecia Pinnock, Tiondre Frett, Sterling Stoutt, Jaheem Leonard-Joseph, Mario Carter.

U11 – Asia McMaster, Chindima Emelandu, Jah’Kyla Morton, Kassidy Penn, Kijuanna Penn, Kaleem Lettsome, Andeam Maduro, Delano Hodge, Keshawn Martin, Sean Sammuel.

U13 – Jahtiva Williams, Ariyah Smith, Akeela McMaster, Shakeaja Dore, Kaelyaah Liburd, Khyber Dawson, Kyron Walwyn, Caryliek Benjamin, Sha’el LAVACIA, Stepehen Emmanuel.

U15 –Zara Brown, Xiomora Malone, Tashira Edwards, Alisha Hayde, Sarah Bridgewater, Malaki Smith, Malik John, Kyle Leader, Kaleem Croal, J’hkoi Smith, Denron Glasgow.

The Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) is an organisation devoted to unity and co-operation between both the youth and teachers of the Caribbean. The CUT Games are held with the intent of promoting this message and bringing together athletes coaches in the spirit of friendly competition.

The 16th Biennial Caribbean Teachers Union Students’ Track & Field Championship is open to the following CUT member/affiliate countries: Anguilla (AIA) Antigua & Barbuda (ANT) Haiti (HAI) Bahamas (BAH) Jamaica (JAM) Barbados (BAR) Martinique (MRT) Belize (BIZ) Montserrat (MNT) Bermuda (BER) Nevis (NEV) British Virgin Islands (BVI) Host St. Croix (STX) Cayman Islands (CAY) St. Kitts (SKN) Dominica (DMA) St. Lucia (LCA) Grenada (GRN) St. Maarten (SXM) Guadeloupe (GDL) St. Vincent & the Grenadines (VIN) Guyana (GUY) Trinidad & Tobago (TRI).

Filed Under: Athletics

VI beaten by St Maarten in U23 ECVA Championship

July 12, 2016 by
Photo: provided

Photo: provided

By VINO

The [British] Virgin Islands U23 volleyball team suffered a successive defeat at the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Tournament on Saturday July 9, 2016, losing to St Maarten in straight sets.

St Maarten shook off the dust of defeat in the first game against Antigua, to weather the storm and a stern test from the VI, with a 25-23, 25-22, 25-19 victory.

St Maarten’s middle player, Shaquille Rombley (8) played head and shoulders over his adversaries as he scored at will. His teammate Shawn Gumbs (4) was also very effective regardless to what position he attacked from the court.

Though the Virgin Islands lost, they showed lots of courage, fighting until the end. Team captain Mikey Joseph urged his team to do better and they responded in the positive. Captain Joseph was well supported by Paul Mourillon (1) and Tyler Jackson (5), who played like there was no tomorrow.

St Maarten felt the game was an improvement; however, they were not satisfied with the level of execution, though they passed better and the setter was able to distribute the ball more.

The Virgin Islands captain, Mikey Joseph, conceded the opposition was the superior team. The game also highlighted areas that could be worked on such as passing and offensive plays. Coach Stephen Payne indicated a short preparation time impacted team performance, barring the fact that team VI had too many unforced errors which made the difference in the match.

The Virgin Islands had lost to Antigua in their opening game, 25-15, 25-14 and 25-9.

Filed Under: Volleyball
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