VI’s Junior Tennis Players inspirational at regional tournaments

Source: BVI Tennis Association

Colesha Corea, Kaleik Ross and Zoe Richards represented the territory at the 6th annual Caribbean 12 & Under Junior Invitational Tennis Tournament hosted by the at the National Tennis Center in Campsite, St. Johns, Antigua from May 4-8, 2018. Photo: BVITA Face Book

Within the eight months of recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Virgin Islands’ junior tennis players’ performances at regional tournaments have been inspirational.

Three of the  BVI Tennis Association’s juniors recently competed in the 6th annual Caribbean 12 & Under Junior Invitational Tennis Tournament hosted by the National Tennis Center in Campsite, St. Johns, Antigua.

Colesha Corea, Kaleik Ross and Zoe Richards represented the territory from May 4-8, 2018 at the Eastern Caribbean tournament which saw 35 young players from 7 countries represented to include BVI, St Lucia, St Vincent, France, Trinidad & Tobago, USA, and host country Antigua & Barbuda.

On day one of the tournament, Team BVI played five matches securing two wins and losing three. Zara Ghuran of Trinidad & Tobago defeated Zoe Richards 4-0, 4-4, Kaleik Ross defeated Youri Rassat of St.Baths (France) 4-0, 4-1, Camille Rondy of St.Baths (France) defeated Colesha Corea 4-0, 4-1, Zoe Richards defeated Sydney Kentish of Antigua, 4-1, 4-2, James Haden of Trinidad defeated Kaleik Ross 4-2, 4-2.

Round Robin matches followed the next day. Of the pool of 18 girls Zoe placed 10th, advancing to the main draw and Colesha placed 16th but did not make the main draw.

Kaleik placed 12th out of 17 boys. His results were not enough to advance him to the main draw.

In the Consolation First Round Colesha Corea defeated Mahkya Suffren of St. Lucia 3-4, 4-0 (10-6), Kaleik Ross defeated Clement Peuchot of St.Baths (France) 2-4, 4-2 (10-5) and Colesha & Zoe won their doubles match defeating the St. Lucia #2 team, 4-0,4-2..

In the Main Draw, Ariel Kelsick of Antigua defeated Zoe Richards 4-1, 4-2.

Jaiden Julien of Antigua won the Boys’ Championship with Jace Quashie from Tobago taking the title of Boys’ Finalist

Brasha Dyer of Antigua won the title of Girls’ Champion with Ariel Kelsick also of Antigua coming in second as the Girls’ Finalist.

VI represented in Barbados
Competing from March 31 – April 5 in the 2018 C. O. Williams COTECC U14s International Junior Tennis Tournament in Barbados, Deandrea Baijnauth played successful Round Robin Matches defeating Bajan players, Neil King (4-0,4-0)
and Christian Goddard (4-1,4-1) to qualify for the Main Draw.  Deandrea was ultimately defeated by Christian Gill of Barbados 6-3, 7-5.

All four promising juniors have signed up to attend the Celsius Tennis Academy in Sarasota, Florida (August 6-10, 2018).

The BVI Tennis Association extends appreciation for support to the BVI Olympic Committee, BioSafe Treatment, the BVITA tennis coaches, Celsius Tennis Academy, Guana Fund, Hon. Mark Vanterpool and several parents / guardian including Mr. & Mrs. Baijnauth, Mr. & Mrs. Corea, Ms. Pat George and Mr & Mrs. Richards.

One Love F.C. topples Sugar Boys from perch to take the lead in BVIFA National League table

By BVI Football Association

Kevin Fisher (centre) scored twice in the Islanders 3-0 win over the Wolues in the 2018 BVIFA National League fixtures of May 13. Photo: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

Another pulsating weekend in the BVI Football Association National League action saw One Love F.C. take over at the top of standings, the Panthers score ten goals, and wins for both the Islanders and Rebels.

The Panthers beat F.C. Sea Argo 10-2 to get the weekend underway, with Ken Saunderson opening the scoring in the 1st minute on his way to a personal tally of five. Stanny Francis added a couple of his own, with Shannon Lawrence, Leon Smith and Wayne Phillip completing the rout. Janel Ferdinand scored both for F.C. Sear Argo who remained rooted to the bottom of the standings.

One Love showed their championship credentials as they then came from two goals down to beat Old Madrid 3-2 and leap frog the idle Sugar Boys to top the standings. Xavier John and Frederick Salmon gave Old Madrid a 2-0 half time lead before Akeem Campbell made it 2-1 in the 58th minute. Breaton Douglas made it 2-2 10 minutes later and Richard Morgan put One Love ahead for good in the 78th minute.

The Rebels followed up on their 1-0 win last weekend against the Sugar Boys by completing a sweep of Virgin Gorda, beating VG Utd 1-0 on a goal from Fladimir Septus. The Islanders crept up into third place with a 3-0 win against the Wolues thanks to a brace from Kevin Fisher and one from Francis Primo.

Click here for results, top scorers and standings.

Click here for up coming fixtures.

 

Scores of goals for BDO Primary School Football League

By BVI Football Association

U7 action at BDO Primary School League. Photo: BVIFA

As the action in the BDO Sponsored Primary School Leagues continued to hot up the local football scene, future national team strikers began to serve notice on who the serious contenders are for the Golden Boots.

In the U12’s, Orett Kennedy continued his goal scoring spree as his brace sent First Impressions Primary School (FIPS) on their way to a 5-0 win over St Georges Green. Daniel Manning, Marc Tan and Adrian Sherone also scoring and then Kennedy repeated the effort as his two goals saw FIPS secure a 3-3 draw with Joyce Samuel Primary (JSPS). Michael Findley replied with a hat trick for JSPS after Kennedy’s first goal had put FIPS ahead. Daniel Manning made it 3-2 and with time running out Kennedy popped up to net the equalizer.

Alexandrina Maduro (AMPS) got another win under their belts, 3-0 against Pelican Gate with goals coming from Delvin Freeman, Khamari Smith and Kymani Campbell.

Althea Scatliffe (ASPS) benefited from an own goal to share the points in a 1-1 after Miseal Venzen of St Georges Black had put his team ahead.

Cedar overcame Althea Scatliffe 4-1 led by two goals from K’Lam Williams and one apiece from rush Broderick and Niki Haycraft. Jahmani Titley was the lone scorer for ASPS. Willard Wheatley Primary School (WWPS) then beat SDA 2-0 with Shajahni Deport netting in the 3rd and 24th minutes. Bregado Flax Education Center (BFEC) beat Pelican Gate, 1-0 on a goal by Benjamin Moore and WWPS/ Francis Lettsome, 4-0, on a brace from Jadon Abrams, one from Joel Mars and one from Deshawn Richardson, JSPS and Pelican Gate draw 2-2 as Michael Findlay’s two goal salvo was matched by late goals from Ethan George and Connor Chalwell

In U9 action, Bregado Flax beat Cedar School, 3-1, courtesy of two goals from Kyle Farrington and one from Nicholas Moore. Blake Kirk had made it 1-1 with his first half strike. Althea Scatliffe Maroons, Willard Wheatley 3-0 as Othniel Gillings scored twice either side of a Tiondre Frett strike and Cedar School beat Pelican Gate, 4-1 on the back of four goals from Blake Kirk, whilst Niklaus Vergel scored for the Pelicans.

AMPS/ Agape beat First Impressions, 7-0 with Jaheim Bijai scoring three, Kenley Williams one, Elijah Maduro one, Caleb Toussaint one and Rushane Dixon also one.

ASPS Maroons beat SDA 7-0 as Gillings netted four and Latriel Williams three.

In U7’s, Enid/Althea Scatliffe Reds drew 1-1 with AMPS as Bryson Walters opener in the 11th minute was cancelled out by a 21st minute goal from Kester Agard and then drew 0-0 with Seventh Day Adventist School, before AMPS Blacks beat SDA 2-0 with Alessandro Peters scoring both goals. St Georges overcame AMPS, 2-1 as Demauri Turnbull and Devonte Smith replied after Amari Goodwill had given AMPS an early lead. Peters then netted a hat trick as AMPS Black then beat Pelican Gate 4-0. Johnathon Bijai scoring the other goal and BFEC beat AMPS Olives with Liam Munn scoring twice and Mayan Baptiste also on the score sheet in a 3-0 victory.

Click here for fixtures, results and standings.

One Love threatens Sugar Boys top spot in BVIFA Men’s National League

By BVI Football Association

One Love v Old Madrid clash ends 3-1 to One Love
Photo: Dean “the Sportsman” Greenaway

One Love F.C. closed the gap on the Sugar Boys F.C. at the top of the BVI Football Association National League as they overcame nearest rivals Old Madrid F.C. 3-1 on Sunday, April 29, 2018.

Okeyne Thenstead scored a first half double, the latter coming deep in added time before the break, to give his side a comfortable cushion, before Ofaniss Bassaragh made certain of all three points, netting One Love’s third in the 68th minute.

Rohan Sweeney would score a consolation for Old Madrid as time expired, but defeat saw them slip to fourth in the standings as the Islanders F.C. had no difficulty in securing an easy 8-0 victory over F.C. Sea Argo, courtesy of a five minute, first half hat trick from Fitzroy Daley, who scored in the 18th, 22nd and 23rd minutes. Daley would add a second half hat trick to take his personal tally to six and whilst Ranalle Cain also scored, the biggest cheer was for Sheldon Harry who scored in the 73rd minute.

The Islanders now have 10 points, sitting in third place, with One Love on 16 in second and the Sugar Boys still in top spot on 19 points.

The last match of the weekend saw the Rebels F.C. continue their resurgence with a 3-1 win over the sea sawing Wolues F.C.

Chadwick Evans opened the scoring for the Rebels in the 36th minute and whilst Vernol Richards made it 2-0 in the 56th minute, Phillip Nelson handed the Wolues a life line in the 89th, before Evans made the game safe with his second and the Rebels third in the 90th minute.

Click here for information on schedules, results, standings and goal scorers.

BDO Primary School League action continues with wins and draws for U9s & U12s

By BVI Football Association

As the BDO Primary School League continued, St Georges U7’s drew 1-1 with Willard Wheatley and Devone Doharty’s opener was cancelled out by Demauri Turnbull

Alexandrina Maduro Olives beat Cedar School 1-0, with Zaveed Mattias notching the only goal of the game. The Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) beat Enid/Althea Scatliffe Maroon with a goal from Caedon Fraites and Althea Scatliffe Maroon beat Cedar School 1-0 after Ronell Jeffersen scored in the 25th minute

Bregado Flax beat St Georges 4-1, with Shomari Lennard scoring twice, Kenroy Williams once and Ethan Winchester also once, whilst Devante Smith netted for St Georges. The Olives then beat SDA 2-0, with Mattias and Nicquan Freeman both on the score sheet and Joshua Pitt scored the only goal of the game to give Willard Wheatley Primary a 1-0 win over Enid/Althea Scatliffe Reds, who then turned spoilers to hold Alexandrina Maduro Black to a goalless draw.

In the U9’s, Pelican Gate beat Althea Scatliffe Red 2-0, with goals coming from Nicklaus Vergel and Zakaya Stoutt, whilst in the U12’s, St Georges Blacks recorded a 4-0 victory against Joyce Samuel Primary thanks to a brace from Mohammed Tarabin and one apiece from Miseal Venzen and Jeffersen Frank.

Also, in U12 action, Cedar beat Willard Wheatley/Francis Lettsome 3-0, with Nicki Haycraft scoring in the 28th and 32nd minutes after Ryan Lettsome had opened the scoring in the 25th minute.

Althea Scatliffe then smashed five past Joyce Samuels Primary School with Johari Lacey scoring a hat trick and both Mario Carter and Khaleel Parkinson a goal each.

Click on the relevant link below for information on schedules, results, standings and goal scorers:

BDO Primary School League U9

BDO Primary School League U12

BVIFA U14 High School League

 

Sugar Boys ahead in 2018 BVIFA National League

By BVI Football Association

The Sugar Boys, odds on favourites to lift the title, even with the season only at the halfway point – Man City of Tortola ? Photo: BVIFA

Derol Redhead rescued all three points for the table topping Sugar Boys on Sunday 22nd April, as his 84th minute strike secured a 3-2 win over the Panthers F.C. and Old Madrid F.C. leapfrogged the Islanders F.C. into third place with a 2-1 win over VG Utd.

Stanny Francis had put the Panthers ahead in the 41st minute before Redhead equalized in added time at the end of the first half. However, Francis scored his second in the 57th minute to make it 2-1 before Roger Roberts leveled in the 82nd minute and just two minutes later Redhead settled matters with his 9th goal of the season.

League action had kicked off on Saturday with Xavier John firing home both goals for Old Madrid, to take his season tally to six, with Lance Reynolds replying for VG and then the following day, the Wolues resurrected their campaign, overcoming the unpredictable F.C. Sea Argo, 3-0, with all the goals coming in the second half.

Andrew Titchner settled the nerves in the 51st minute, but it wasn’t until the last ten that the Wolues made sure of victory and three valuable points, when Marcus Hallam made it 2-0 in the 80th minute and Jose Antonio wrapped up the scoring in the 87th.

The Weekend action ended with the Islanders F.C. dropping more points in what is fast becoming their worst season since records began, when they held 1-1 by the Rebels, who took an early lead in the 20th minute through Michael Baptichon and then conceded a second half equalizer in the 58th minute scored by Rohan Lenon.

Upcoming Schedule:

April 28th
Wolues vs Rebels
A.O.Shirley
4.30pm

April 29th
F.C. Sea Argo vs Islanders
Virgin Gorda
5.30pm

One Love vs Old Madrid
A.O. Shirley
4.30pm

 

LEAGUE STANDINGS

TEAM                               W      D       L       GF     GA    GD    POINTS

1       SUGAR BOYS F.C.          6       1       0        27       9       18         19

2       ONE LOVE F.C.              4       1       1         17        11       6         13

3       OLD MADRID F.C.        3       0       2       12        12       0          9

4       ISLANDERS F.C.           2       1       2         8         6        2           7

5       THE PANTHERS F.C.   2       1       3         8        10      -2          7

6       THE WOLUES F.C.       2       0       3        11       11        0          6

7       VG UNITED                    1       1        3         7        11       -4         4

8       F.C. SEA ARGO             1       0       4         7        22      -15         3

9       REBELS F.C.                 0       1        3         5        1 0       -5         1

 

Top Scorers

PLAYER                                       TEAM                          GOALS

1       DEROL REDHEAD                SUGAR BOYS F.C.                9

2       XAVIER JOHN                      OLD MADRID F.C.                6

3       RICHARD MORGAN            ONE LOVE F.C.                     5

4       MOHAMMED KACHOUR      SUGAR BOYS F.C.             5

5       CARL STEWART                    ONE LOVE F.C.                     5

 

BDO Primary School League and BVIFA High School League underway

By the BVI Football Association

Photo: BVIFA

The BVI Football Association BDO sponsored Primary School Leagues are well underway with Bregado Flax Educational Center (BFEC) in fine, free flowing scoring style.

Their U7 team had already recorded a 4-0 win over Enid Adams Maroons (EAM), courtesy of a hat trick by Shamari Lennard and a further strike from J’Leah Morton. Lennard went one better and scored all the goals as BFEC beat Alexandrina Maduro Primary School (AMPS) beat 4-1

AMPS Olive recorded a 2-1 win over Enid/Althea Scatliffe with Zavee Matthias scoring the winner after Ronell Jefferson’s goal cancelled out an own goal.

Also, in U7 action the Seventh Day Adventist School got a forfeit win against Pelican Gate, Willard Wheatley Primary School (WWPS) drew 0-0 with AMPS Black and 1-1 with AMPS Olive with Ricardo Blair equalizing after Matthias had put the AMPS Olive ahead.

Blake Kirk headlined in the u9 Division with a hat trick that put Cedar School well on the way to an 8-0 win over Althea Scatliffe Red. Ronaldo Estridge and Christian Esser both scored a pair each and Hugo Hlacer was also on the score sheet.

AMPS also beat the Reds, 6-0, with Elijah Maduro scoring four, Jaheim Bijai one and Amayao Walker also one. And the Seventh Day Adventist School, 7-0, with Bijai scoring six and Damion Miller the seventh. A 3-2 victory over WWPS followed with Maduro (2) and Rushane Dixon securing the win after Twariba Jacob had scored twice for WWPS.

In the U12’s, BFEC hit ten unanswered goals against Alexandrina Maduro/ Agape School, with Jaden Abrams scoring twice, Joel Mars and Jaeden Brown also notched a brace, whilst there was one apiece for Tikhoy Morton, Jadon Abrams, Andres Bailey and Benjamin Moore.

First Impressions had a much tougher time against AMPS/Agape, coming out 4-3 winners thanks to a last ditch own goal. Earlie Orrett Kennedy smashed home a hat trick which was cancelled out by two goals from Kymani Campbell and one from Jadon Glasgow.

Willard Wheatley / Francis Lettsome Primary combined also had a 7-1 victory over Claudia Creque Educational Centre (CCEC) with Sajahni Duports scoring three, Felix Walters two and both Antonio Bramble and Mervin Latouche one. Henrique Warren scored for CCEC.

WWPS then beat the five brave boys of St Georges by the same score line with a Walters hat trick matched by one from Antonio Bramble and Duporte also scoring

AMPS/Agape also had a 5-3 victory over Joyce Samuel Primary School thanks to a hat trick by Jaden Glasgow and one each for Khamari Smith and Kymani Campbell. BFEC beat Althea Scatliffe Primary School, 2-0, with T’Khoy Morton and Deshawn Richardson both finding the net.

St Georges beat Pelican Gate 3-0 on two goals from Jefferson Frank and one from Miseal Venzen, but then lost 10-0 to BFEC as Jaden Abrams scored a hat trick, Joel Mars two, Jaden Brown two, Deshawn Richardson one, Jadon Abrams one and Andres Bailey one.

In the High School League U15 Division, BFEC beat CCEC, 2-1, with Quelahni Nickie and Sheldon Toney scoring for BFEC and Kiara Fahie for CCEC.

In the Open Division, BFEC beat Elmore Stout High School, 2-1, with a late Timothy Louis goal coming as consolation after Devante Samuel put BFEC ahead and Kyreek Gardiner doubled the advantage.

Sugar Boys, One Love and Panthers hold top spots in BVIFA National League

By BVI Football Association

Derol Redhead, who notched his 7th goal of the season in the 3-3 draw with One Love, to be the leading goal scorer so far. Photo: BVIFA

The points were shared between the top two clubs in the BVI Football Association National League, the Sugar Boys F.C. and One Love F.C. in a six-goal thriller on Sunday 15th April 2018 over on the Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground.

Mohammed Kachour had put the home side ahead in the 10th minute, Carl Stewart then equalized for One Love in the 34th minute. Okeyne Thenstead put One Love up 2-1 in the 52nd minute, Derol Redhead made it 2-2 in the 65th minute and Michael Castello restored the advantage to the hosts with his 68th minute goal making it 3-2, but almost as the home fans began celebrating another win, up popped Richard Morgan in the 85th minute to make it 3-3.

The Sugar Boys have still to suffer defeat this season and top the table with 16 points, One Love are second on 13, but the surprise of the season so far occurred back on the A.O. Shirley ground, when against the odds, the Panthers F.C. snatched a 1-0 win over the Islanders F.C.

The 3 points, courtesy of Nigel Saunderson’s 82nd minute goal puts the Panthers third on 7 points, whilst the Islanders and the Wolues F.C. share 4th on six points, with the Wolues losing 2-1 to VG Utd, who climbed up to sixth, in Sunday’s Prime Time game back on Virgin Gorda.

Having gone 2-0 down, after goals from Jose Antonio scored a consolation goal for the Wolues in the 89th minute. This after Thomas Albert opened the scoring in the 52nd minute and Delano Barbour doubled the home sides advantage in the 84th.

BVIFA schoolboys play in Football Club Barcelona

By BVI Football Association

Ryan Lettsome (L) and Azarni Callwood participated in the Football Club Barcelona 2018 International Youth Tournament (April 7 – 8) in Spain. Photo: BVIFA

Azarni Callwood and Ryan Lettsome concluded successful participation at the 2018 Football Club Barcelona International Youth Football Tournament in Spain, playing with the Champion Sports Group out of England. The event took place April 7 – 8.

The pair, products of the BVI Football Association’s schools’ programme, played in the U11 Age Group which included 28 other teams from a whole range of Countries such as Brazil, France, Belgium, Scotland, Romania and Ireland, with all games played at a very high standard.

Callwood and Lettsome were instrumental in their team finishing 11th, winning five, drawing one and losing two of the eight games played and had a wonderful experience playing intense football.

“This is exactly what we wanted from the football association’s view point,” commented BVIFA President, Andy Bickerton. “We want our young players exposed to international competition, so they begin to realise that, while they might be a big fish in a small pool at home, there are many big fish overseas.”

Callwood finished up as one of the leading goal scorers and is a shining example of the production line of young talent coming out of the School Leagues. “Once you can believe in yourself and keep on going despite knock backs you can achieve what you want to achieve in football. The opposition were big and technically good, with lots of passes, but I was able to score goals and it was a great experience,” he said.

Callwood was also quick to point out that he learned a lot from playing against foreign teams: “they don’t give you as much time on the ball as I’m used to, so you have to be very good at knowing when to pass and when to dribble,” said Callwood.

Lettsome also had a great experience and soon got to grips with the higher expectations and new style of play.

As for the future Callwood fully intends to pursue a World Cup dream. “All of us dream of being able to represent our country and especially on such a big stage,” he said.

McMaster represents athletes of small countries winning first medals at Commonwealth Games

Kyron McMaster represented athletes of small nations winning their first Games’ medal in the official Commonwealth Games’ Federation wrap up press conference. (L-r) Andy Street, Mayor, West Midlands; Kyron McMaster, Gold Medalist 400m Hurdler, BVI; Mark Peters, CEO, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation; Peter Beattie AC, Chairman, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation; David Grevemberg CBE, CEO, Commonwealth Games Federation; Louise Martin CBE, President, Commonwealth Games Federation.

Kyron McMaster, the 400m hurdles champion and inaugural British Virgin Islands (VI) gold medalist sat on the head table with top executives of the Commonwealth Games Federation, GOLDOC, and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at the final day press conference of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The line up included Andy Street, Mayor, West Midlands; Kyron McMaster, Gold Medalist 400m Hurdles; Mark Peters, CEO, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation; Peter Beattie AC, Chairman, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation; David Grevemberg CBE, CEO, Commonwealth Games Federation; and Louise Martin CBE, President, Commonwealth Games Federation.

The first half of the two-part conference focused on the wrap up of the Games and reflections of the event.

Speaking on two memorable events in what is being dubbed ‘Game of Firsts’, Ms. Martin said, “Forty-three countries have won medals. Five of these are first ever medals and they’re all small countries which, to me, is exceptional.”

Identifying the win of the first medal for the VI as one of the memorable moments of the Games, Kyron was asked to share his experience on winning and on the public’s reaction to it.

“Winning the first medal for the British Virgin Islands was big,” said Kyron. “Before the race, everyone was messaging me crazily saying, ‘no pressure, but we want the medal’.”

“Winning it after what we have been through (Hurricane Irma), I was happy that I could deliver on that and especially the gold medal. Everyone was just so happy and so I was happy to bring some joy back to the BVI.”

A lot of the stories behind the athletes at the Games have been about triumph through adversity and Kyron explained what winning the medal has meant to him given the impact of Hurricane Irma.

“It gives athletes hope when they see me go out there and do it. Not only for the athletes back home but also those from other small countries who haven’t medaled yet, who can say ‘if this small-town boy can do it, we can do it’,” said Kyron. “For the athletes back home, I know that they are looking at it as motivation regardless of the standards of their training. They can use it and can progress.”

Kyron looks forward to competing at Doha 2018, Qatar on May 4 in one of the series of fourteen of the ninth edition of the annual IAAF Diamond League. It will be one of the biggest Diamond Leagues he has attended.