Duff & Daigeault are National Archery in the School Programme Nationals Champions

April 19, 2017 by

Source: VINO

Elmore Stoutt High School was named team champion of the first National Archery in Schools Nationals, on Saturday April 15, 2017. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Elmore Stoutt High School was named team champion of the first National Archery in Schools Nationals, on Saturday April 15, 2017. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

After a day of intense action and focus among almost 50 young boys and girls, both Rayne Duff and Shania Daigneault were crowned champions of the first National Archery in the School Programme (NASP) Nationals on Saturday April 15, 2017.

The pair from Cedar School and Elmore Stoutt High School respectively also took home a $3,000 scholarship and both had earlier claimed a new Bow as a prize for being top Middle School Boy and Top High School Girl.

Winning $350 as top school was the Elmore Stoutt High School team, the majority of whom train and practice at Y.E.P.

Top Elementary Female, winning a Bow, was Tyara Winter, while top boy in the same category was Sebbie Santos.

Top Middle School Female was Hailey Chomiak, whilst Top High School Boy was D’Moi Martin.

Ritseeniyah Georges, who is Vice President of the National Archery Association and the In Schools Archery Programme Coordinator, was impressed with the way the day had gone. “Everyone is improving a lot, they were out practicing all week for this and even though some were nervous they managed to stay focused and all did very well. The two overall winners are very talented and deserved to come out on top.”

Some of the archers showed a lot of natural talent, but in the end, it was those who dedicated themselves to practice that rose to be champions.

In terms of the overall development programme, everything is on track, according to Georges. “Currently we are on target, because all the schools that are in the programme took part today. The other schools are keen and just waiting for the Association to get the funding and equipment to expand further. We have annual sponsors such as the Department of Youth Affairs, Kobre and Kim, Caribbean Securities, Morrell, Rep BVI and Aaron Rentals.”

Next up for the young archers is a trip for the Junior National team to compete against five other countries, with the host country yet to be announced.

 

Filed Under: Archery Tagged With: , ,

Podium finishes for BVI at 2017 CARIFTA Games

April 18, 2017 by

Source: BVINews

Djimon Gumbs won silver in U18s Shot Put and Discuss Throw. Akira Phillip took silver in U20 Javelin Throw at 2017 CARIFTA. Photo: FLOW

D’Jimon Gumbs won silver in U18s Shot Put and Discuss Throw. Akira Phillip took silver in U20 Javelin Throw at 2017 CARIFTA. Photo: FLOW

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has earned a total of six medals at the 2017 CARIFTA Games, which ended April 17 at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Curaçao.

D’Jimon Gumbs copped two silver medals and Akira Phillip earned one to top the territory’s performance at the event. The BVI also bagged three bronze medals.

All of the medals – except one – were mined in field events – Discuss Throw, Shot Put, Triple Jump, and Javelin Throw.

Gumbs earned a silver each in the Under-18 Boys Shot Put as well as the Discuss Throw.

In the Discuss, he threw 60.43 metres to finish ahead of Jamaica’s Cobe Graham who won bronze with 52.71 metres. Another Jamaican, Daniel Cope, won the gold medal in this event with a new championship record of 61.25 metres.

And, in the Shot Put, Gumbs reached 17.58 metres to win silver. Graham from Jamaica picked up a second bronze (17.33 metres), and Cope from Jamaica hit another championship record with 18.17 metres.

The BVI picked up its third silver medal when Phillip made her presence felt in the Under-20 Girls Javelin Throw. It covered 44.63 metres. The gold medal went to Sah-Jay Stevens of Jamaica (45.10 metres), while the bronze was received by Trinidad and Tobago’s Asha James (43.24 metres).

Meanwhile, in relation to the BVI’s bronze medals, Kala Penn earned one in the Girls Under-20 Triple Jump, with a measurement of 12.73 metres. Tissanna Hickling from Jamaica got silver (12.87 metres), while Natricia Hooper from Guyana won the gold medal with a leap of 13.08 metres.

The only track event in which the BVI medalled is the Under-20 Girls’ 4X400 Metre Relay. The team of Shaniyah Caul, L’T’Sha Fahie, Kala Penn, and Sh’Kaida Lavacia completed the race in third position with a time of 3:53.04. The silver medal went to Bahamas (3:50.38), while Jamaica won gold with a time of 3:37.96.

Arianna Hayde delivered the BVI’s other bronze performance when she competed in the Girls Under-18 Javelin Throw with 41.90 metres. Trinidad and Tobago’s Kymoi Norai finished with the silver (44.98 metres), while Latia Saunders from the Bahamas earned the gold medal with 45.29 metres.

Jamaica won the 2017 CARIFTA Games, which took place from April 15 to 17.

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With: , , ,

Narrow win for Mobsters

April 13, 2017 by

By Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association

Photo: VISBA

Photo: VISBA

Mobsters defeated Pirates 17-16 in the Harriette Skelton Fast Pitch Softball League game played on April 12, 2017. Mobsters had 17 runs, 10 hits, 7 errors and left 8 runners on base. Pirates had 16 runs, 14 hits, 3 errors and left 6 runners on base.

The winning Pitcher was Sirron Scatliffe and the loser was Allison Leonard.

Otis Claxton of Mobsters went 3-4 with 2 triples, 2 runs scored and 3 runs batted in, Ra Skelton went 2-4 with 2 triples, 3 runs scored and 3 runs batted in and Sirron Scatliffe went 2-5 with a triple, a home run, 2 runs scored and 7 runs batted in.

Nikos Penn of Pirates went 3-5 with a double, 2 runs scored and 2 runs batted in, Rico Penn went 3-5 with 2 triples, a home run, 3 runs scored and 3 runs batted in and Jaimi Geek’dUp Potter went 3-5 with a triple, 2 runs scored and a run batted in.

Filed Under: Softball-Baseball Tagged With: ,

White Gold For Team BVI at VIODA

April 11, 2017 by

By Royal BVI Yacht Club

The BVI was represented by five sailors at the 2017 VIODA regatta in St Thomas. Photo: RBVIYC

The BVI was represented by five sailors at the 2017 VIODA regatta in St Thomas. Photo: RBVIYC

The BVI was represented by five sailors at the Virgin Islands Optimist Dinghy Association (VIODA) regatta in St Thomas during the weekend of April 8 – 9.

Samuel Allen came home first in the white fleet (age 10 and younger) and Rayne Duff was third in the red fleet.

Ten races were sailed in Great Bay with a pleasant 10 to 12 knots on Saturday, decreasing on Sunday to 7-8 knots.

Samuel Allen topped the podium in the white fleet, with steady results that included his first ever bullet in the Championship fleet in race three. Finishing tenth overall is an excellent achievement since graduating from the green fleet in January this year.

Rayne Duff finished in fourth place overall and 3rd in the red fleet for sailors aged 13 and over. With two bullets and three second place finishes it was a mixed event for Duff who has won his division at the past two editions of this event.

Ryan Lettsome had a challenging weekend at his first regatta racing in the blue fleet. Lettsome finished in 18th overall with three top ten finishes. Just two places behind was Kael Chalwell at only his second regatta in the Championship fleet, his best finish a ninth in race eight.

Antonio Cisneros finished 23rd, racing in the Championship fleet for the first time and continues to make great improvements at every regatta he competes at.

VIODA is the second of the three regattas in the Triple Crown – the winners will be decided at the BVI Dinghy Championships on 20-21 May.

The RBVIYC thanks the organizers and hosts, St Thomas Yacht Club, The Moorings for the team mother-ship, and all the parents who helped with loading, unloading and meals as well as John Puig and Taylor Penwell for looking after the team for the weekend.

Results
4. Rayne Duff (3rd red fleet)
10. Samuel Allen (1st white fleet)
18. Ryan Lettsome
20. Kael Chalwell
23. Antonio Cisneros

Filed Under: Sailing Tagged With: , , ,

BVIFA appoints Juliana Luke as new General Secretary

April 11, 2017 by

By BVI Football Association

BVI Football Association appointed Mrs. Juliana Luke as new General Secretary. Photo: BVIFA

BVI Football Association appointed Mrs. Juliana Luke as new General Secretary. Photo: BVIFA

As of Monday, 3rd April 2017, the BVI Football Association confirmed the appointment of Mrs. Juliana Luke as the new General Secretary, following the successful interim term of Mr. Paul Hewlett.

Hewlett came into the Association and added new dimensions of professionalism and organisation within his 12-month contract to the BVIFA office and all the while Mrs. Luke was assisting him, learning the ropes, adding her own authority and character to one of the toughest jobs in sport and coming up with systems that will allow the sport to develop and grow.

Mrs. Luke becomes one of only a handful of general secretarys among FIFA members worldwide and has already begun to ensure the local association is run smoothly and efficiently.

BVIFA president, Andy Bickerton was full of praise for the outgoing Hewlett and also looking forward to the new era saying “we were fortunate to have the benefit of Mr. Hewlett’s experience and expertise to upgrade the BVIFA’s administration. We are confident that Mrs. Luke will continue his work as we strive for excellence in the future.”

Mrs. Luke began her interest in Football, over 10 years ago, watching kids play the game whilst a teacher at Little Rainbow Primary School over on Virgin Gorda.

Mrs. Luke then got more and more involved in helping to organize the sport, as she was actively involved in various committees including the Virgin Gorda League, the BVIFA Youth Committee and the BVIFA Women’s Committee.

Her secretarial, organizational skills and ability to interact with people across the communities and territory proved excellent and the BVIFA soon began to acknowledge that her commitment to enhancing the game was invaluable.

When Paul Hewlett took over to hold the reigns, Mrs. Luke was the obvious choice to appoint as the assistant and over the past eight months has more than proven she is ready to take over the sports top job.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: ,

Kyron McMaster ranked second fastest male 400m hurdler

April 10, 2017 by

Source: BVI Platinum

Kyron McMaster practicing drills at the A,O, Shirley Grounds. Photo: C M Farrington

Kyron McMaster practicing drills at the A,O, Shirley Grounds. Photo: C M Farrington

Local hurdler champion, Kyron McMaster is now ranked as the second fastest male 400 meter hurdler in the world, following his performance at a recent meet at the University of Florida.

McMaster came in first, in his first race of the season at the University. This was also his first event competing as a senior.

Aiming to qualify for this year’s IAAF World Athletic Championships in August 2017, McMaster completed the race in a time of 48.71, shattering the qualifying time of 49.03.

“It feels good. You always want to be in a spotlight in this day, where when you go to a meet, everyone is keen as to how a person will perform,” McMaster told BVI Platinum News, adding that his performance will open a lot of doors and opportunities for him to compete against better competitors in events to come.

He noted that his performance will only continue to climb, as he intends to continue working hard.

“It was my first race for the season, so from here on it’s for me to progress; that’s my mission right now.”

He continued, “At London, my aim is to do as best as I can. Its my first year in the senior division and this isn’t the easiest division. You have to be on you’re a-game at every event. For London, it’s just for me to execute and see how far I go.”

Just months ago, McMaster was ranked as the third fastest male junior in the 400 meter hurdles, following his bronze medal in the IAAF World Under 20 Championships 400 hurdles race, last June, 2016, in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With: ,

2017 Industrial Softball League set to start April 11

April 10, 2017 by

Source: Department of Youth Affairs and Sports

Sports Officer for the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and President of Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association pictured with the 2016 DYAS Industrial Softball League Champions. Photo: DYAS/Terrence Chinnery)

Sports Officer for the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and President of Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association pictured with the 2016 DYAS Industrial Softball League Champions. Photo: DYAS/Terrence Chinnery

Fourteen teams representing both public and private organisations will compete in the 2017 Industrial Softball League Championships on April 11. The league is a collaborative effort of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS) and the Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association, formerly known as the British Virgin Islands Amateur Softball Association.

Director for the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye explained that the league is being held as part of the department’s mission to develop recreational spaces and opportunities for leisure and competitive sport.

Mrs. Lettsome-Tye said, “As the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, it is our role to use sports as a tool for national development and to foster wider community involvement. We are happy to see so many teams registered and look forward to an exciting event.”

Sports Officer, Ms. Sharlene Hill explained that every year, the department focuses on a sport and allows for public and private organisations to form a team and compete.

Ms. Hill said, “Teams have taken the league to an entirely different level through strategic recruitment this year. As such, I think it is safe to say that we will be having a short, sweet and competitive league to look forward to.”

The league is divided into two divisions. Division A consists of the teams: Financial Services Commission (Regulators); Public Works Department (Pavers); DYAS After-School Programme (Rookies); Social Security Board, and Town and Country Planning (Sandflies); Fire and Rescue Department, and Primary and Secondary Physical Education Instructors (Ensport).

Division B consists of the teams: Health Services Authority (Medics), TMF BVI Limited (Bombers), Road Town Wholesale (Vipers), Caribbean Insurers Limited (Desperados), local banks (Loan Rangers), Department of Motor Vehicles and CITCO BVI Limited (Mixers).

The teams consist of both male and female players. A minimum of three female players must be on the field at all times and the males must bat from their non-dominant side.

The Ministry of Education and Culture is committed to ‘Creating a Culture of Excellence’ through the development and promotion of sports.
For more information, persons should contact the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports at 468-4949.

Filed Under: Softball-Baseball Tagged With: ,

BVI Rugby Football Union out after quarter finals at 2017 Kowloon Tens Tournament Cup

April 10, 2017 by

Source: Department of Information and Public Relations

The BVI Rugby Football Union team competed in Hong Kong’s 2017 Kowloon Tens tournament, advancing to the Cup quarter finals, before being knocked out in an extremely close game to Russian team Berdsk from Krasnoyarsk. Photo: BVI House Asia

The BVI Rugby Football Union team competed in Hong Kong’s 2017 Kowloon Tens tournament, advancing to the Cup quarter finals, before being knocked out in an extremely close game to Russian team Berdsk from Krasnoyarsk. Photo: BVI House Asia

The BVI Rugby Football Union team competed in Hong Kong’s 2017 Kowloon Tens tournament, advancing to the Cup quarter finals, before being knocked out in an extremely close game to Russian team Berdsk from Krasnoyarsk.

“We met our goal,” said Stuart Cullen, Back Row Forward, speaking of the team’s performance, which was to advance further in the tournament than last year, when the team had a third place finish in Plate competition.

There was another metric the team exceeded this year: more players were involved in financial services than ever before. Cullen is Counsel at Harney’s in the BVI but on secondment in Hong Kong. Fergal McLoughlin, Back Row Forward, is a corporate lawyer at Harney’s in the BVI. Paul Christopher is Managing Partner, Hong Kong with Mourant Ozannes. Victor Amparo, Scrum Half and the 21-year-old captain of BVI’s national rugby team, works in corporate administration for SHRM. Noel Maxwell, the team’s 19-year-old centre, is studying finance and business administration at university in Canada.

Ms. Elise Donovan, Director,BVI House Asia, which sponsored the BVI Rugby Team, said: “We are delighted to have the BVI Rugby Team in Hong Kong representing us, and pleased that so many team members have financial services backgrounds. This is especially relevant as at least 40 percent of all BVI financial services business originates from China and the Asia Pacific Region.”

“For me, personally, it’s a very rewarding experience because I have never been to this part of the world before,” Maxwell said. “Seeing rugby on the other side of the world, how the guys communicate, the respect and friendships, it’s great to see. I’m grateful for this opportunity.”

Concluded Cullen: “I want to say a big thank you to BVI House Asia, Harneys, FTI Consulting, SHRM, EMCs, and Digicel who sponsored us once again this year, and to everyone, such as BVI Olympic Committee, who has contributed in getting the guys over here. For them, it’s the experience of a lifetime.”

Filed Under: Rugby Tagged With: ,

BVI team shines in Rugby Paradise Smash Collegiate Tournament

April 5, 2017 by

BVI Rugby Football Union

BVI National Under 23 squad placed 3rd in Rugby Paradise Smash Collegiate Tournament 2017. Photo: Christine Nissen/BVIRFU

BVI National Under 23 squad placed 3rd in Rugby Paradise Smash Collegiate Tournament 2017. Photo: Christine Nissen/BVIRFU

The BVI National Under 23 squad returned from an excellent display of rugby March 25 at the neighboring Rugby Paradise Smash in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands  finishing in 3rd place but gaining much respect from their coaches and peers.

BVI lost it’s first match to US Stars in a 19 – 0 shutout. The lads showed a lot of grit but were overcome by the skills and organization of their American opposition.

With their bodies bruised but their spirits intact they went on to dominate Bowdoin College  physically with the might of Kareem “Burger” Ettienne smashing through their defense on the way to the try line. Colin Beckham scampered through the defense to rack up his first points for the BVI in an excellent display of flowing rugby. Noel Maxwell picked up a try and scored 2 conversions out of 3. BVI ended the match 19 – 12 to pick up a much needed win and set them up for a match that could secure them a place in the finals.

Unconverted tries by Joseph Smith and Paul Oliver were not enough to take down Babson’s barrage of 4 converted tries and Babson College of Massachusetts took the win 28 -10.

With only 1 win out of 3, the BVI did not make the finals and took on Bowdoin for 3rd place. The young BVI lads were able to take the match 20 – 7 with Captain Victor Amparo picking up 2 tries along with big man “Burger” mowing down all in his path for another score. Noel Maxwell was also able to get on the score sheet with is own try. None of the 4 were converted.

Joseph Smith and Kareem “Burger” Ettienne were selected to the All Star Team.

BVI RFU are very proud of what our team did at this tournament and intend to continue building up our program to compete internationally and give our players as much exposure as they look to achieve.

Filed Under: Rugby Tagged With: ,

Football coach training sessions set for end of April

April 5, 2017 by

By BVI Football Association

New BVIFA Technical Director, Marcos Falopa recently attended the FLOW Ultimate Football Challenge on the A.O. Shirley Ground and got to witness some of the talent he is now working with in preparation for upcoming U15 tournaments. Photo: BVIFA

New BVIFA Technical Director, Marcos Falopa recently attended the FLOW Ultimate Football Challenge on the A.O. Shirley Ground and got to witness some of the talent he is now working with in preparation for upcoming U15 tournaments. Photo: BVIFA

New BVIFA Technical Director, Marcos Falopa has been hard at work both on and off the field in his short time with the Association, planning coaching events and training the U15 Boys’ team.

Falopa first met the young boys as part of the delegation that went to Puerto Rico for the GPS Tournament back in January and has since been hard at work with them in preparation for tournaments in St Maarten and the CONCACAF U15 Championship to be held in Florida.

Falopa believes “that it is important to develop and have success from the grassroots levels up to senior teams” and hopes to get the boys to play the ball on the ground like all top teams.

“The boys need to have better exposure in all aspects of the game from technical fundamentals to tactical awareness,” said Falopa. “But we also need to get the coaches better too.”

Getting around in a car provided in a joint deal between the BVIFA and VI Motors of Duffs Bottom, Falopa has visited many schools to hold sessions and has also spoken to many of the coaches involved in schools and after school club coaching.

Following a well-attended grassroots coaching seminar, which is the first step in the BVIFA’s new coaching programme, Falopa will be hosting stage 2 at the end of April, which is a 3-day course featuring both theory and practical excercises.

The course begins April 26 and will be run from 4.30pm until 6.30pm on consecutive Wednesdays until May 10.

Prospective coaches can contact the BVIFA office on 494 5655 for more information and to enroll.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: ,
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