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

April 16, 2018 by

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.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Gold Coast 2018 News Tagged With: , , , ,

Team BVI wraps up Gold Coast 2018 with historic Gold medal and fanfare

April 16, 2018 by

Team BVI at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, Queensland, Australia. Photo: BVICGA

Team BVI was led by flag bearer and four-times Commonwealth Games athlete, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott in the Gold Coast 2018 Closing Ceremony on April 15 marking the end of the 21st edition of the Commonwealth Games.

“This has been an amazing and emotional Games,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Commonwealth Games Association. “We saw Gold Coast 2018 as an opportunity to inspire the Virgin Islands through sports after the devastating hurricanes Irma and Maria and hoped that the athletes’ achievements would motivate the territory to tackle new beginnings. Our athletes rose to the occasion with their tremendous effort and individual and team achievements. We believed that this was the strongest team we had yet taken to the Commonwealth Games and their performances have proved it to be the case. We are exceptionally proud of each, and every one of them and thank them for showcasing our nation on the world stage with grit and grace.”

At the end of 10 days of competition in Queensland, Australia, 10 of the VI’s athletes had participated in 9 track and field events and 2 squash events. All track and field athletes completing their events made it through to semi-finals and five went on to compete in the finals. In squash, the VI won the Plate of the men’s singles.

British Virgin Islands Kyron Mcmaster won the men’s 400m hurdles final in a time of 48.25 seconds during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at the Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast on April 12, 2018. Photo credit: SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)

The crowning moment came on April 12 when Kyron McMaster took to his starting blocks in front of a packed stadium in the 400m Hurdles and made history with his 1st place finish in a time of 48.25 seconds and winning the territory’s first medal ever in the Commonwealth Games.

Competing in his first Commonwealth Games, Kyron triumphed for his hurricane ravaged country and in memory of his beloved coach, the late Xavier ‘Dag’ Samuels. “My first phase of the race wasn’t what I wanted but I remembered what coach would have told me ‘just in case something like that happens, just stay calm and relax’” said Kyron. “When I saw I was in a position to take control of the race, I did and ran home with the gold. I am very proud that I was able to bring it home for the Virgin Islands.” 2nd and 3rd places went to Jeffrey Gibson of the Bahamas (49.10) and Jaheel Hyde of Jamaica (49.16) respectively.

That same evening, Chantel Malone landed a 5th place in the Long Jump final with a leap of 6.48. This was Chantel’s second appearance in a Commonwealth Games, the first being at Glasgow 2014 where she landed a 4th place with a jump of 6.41. Podium finishers of the long jump were Christabel Nettey of Canada (6.84), Brooke Stratton of Australia (6.77) and Shara Proctor of England (6.75).

Next up were Commonwealth Games debutants, twin sisters Tynelle and Trevia Gumbs competing against a field of 13 in the Discus final. Tynelle hurled the disc 47.04 to place 9th. Top spots went to Dani Stevens of Australia (68.26), Seema Punia of India (60.41) and Navjeet Dhillon of India (57.43). Tynelle’s performance was in her second event of the Games – the first being the Hammer Throw in which she placed 7th overall and attained a Seasonal and Personal Best as well as beating her previous National Record with a distance of 60.97.

Trevia retired early in the Discus final to avoid irritating an injury and to save herself for the Shot Put final.  On April 13, and the last day of competition for the VI, Tynelle improved on her Shot Put qualifier round result of 14.08 with a third attempt throw of 14.12. Top three putters were Danniel Thomas-Dodd of Jamaica (19.36), Dame Valerie Adams of New Zealand (18.70) and Brittany Crew of Canada (18.32).

Eldred Henry joined Trevia in rounding off the VI’s performance at the Games with his seasonal best throw of 50.96 when he competed in the Discus final. The mark was an improvement of his 50.43 achieved in his qualifying round. Medalists in the event were Fedrick Dacres of Jamaica who set a new Games Record with a throw of 68.20, Traves Smikle of Jamaica (63.98) and Apostolos Parellis of Cypress (63.61). On April 9, Eldred had competed in the shot put final. GC2018 was Eldred’s second Commonwealth Games.

Earlier in the Games, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott ran her last race of a Commonwealth Games on April 8 when she crossed the finish line of the 100m semi-finals with a time of 11.63 to place 7th in her field and 13th out of 24 runners in the semi-finals.

On April 10, Ashley Kelly closed out her GC2018 performance with a 53.00 finish in the 400m semi-finals. The time placed her 5th in her race and 14th out of an overall line up of 23 semi-finalists. This was Ashley’s second Commonwealth Games, the first being Glasgow 2014 where she competed in the 200m and 400m semi-finals.

Khari Herbert Jr was disappointed when he pushed out of the blocks in his 400m qualifying round on April 8 and had to retire due to a hamstring injury. This was Khari’s first Commonwealth Games.

Squash Round Up

In squash, Joe Chapman and Neville Sorrentino ended their GC2018 competitions on April 12 when they played in a hard-fought doubles match against Pakistan’s duo, Tayyab Aslam and Farhan Zaman.

The first game was an exciting round with the BVI taking 8 points. The crowd watched a strong performance from both players with Neville playing some of his best squash for an edge-of-the-seat game. The second game to decide the match was ultimately won by Aslam and Zaman 11-4.

This was the second doubles match that Joe and Neville played at the Games, the first being on April 10 when they were defeated by England’s James Willstrop (CWG 2018 Singles Gold Medal winner) and James Declan (World ranked #25).

GC2018 was Neville’s Commonwealth Games debut and in which he played in the Men’s Squash singles and doubles, and Joe’s fourth appearance at the quadrennial event. The pinnacle for Joe was his win of the Men’s Singles Plate on April 9 when he beat Cameron Stafford of the Cayman Islands 3-1 (11-9, 4-11, 11-8, 11 – 7).

The VI delegation to GC2018 included Mark Chapman, Chef de Mission; Athletics coaches Winston Potter, Joey Scott, Dwight Phillips and Omar Jones; and Squash coach Adam Murrills; Physio Mark Latimer; Attaché Julie-Anne Pearson; CGA Assistant Katrina Pfeffer; BVICGA Secretary General Lloyd Black; and Deputy Premier, Dr. The Honourable Kedrick Pickering.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Gold Coast 2018 News, Squash Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Tahesia Harrigan-Scott completes her Commonwealth Games Career with fourth appearance

April 9, 2018 by

British Virgin Islands Tahesia Harrigan-Scott ran her final race in the athletic’s women’s 100m semi-finals during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at the Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast on April 8, 2018. Photo SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images

Three Virgin Islands athletes took to the track and field on the first day of Athletics at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games on Monday, April 8.

Tahesia Harrigan-Scott advanced to the semi-finals of the 100m when she placed third in her heat with a time of 11.64. A couple of hours later, Tahesia ran her final race in a Commonwealth Games.

It was a bright clear day and the stadium was packed with ardent Games supporters generating an energetic atmosphere. Tahesia, racing in lane 8 took to her blocks and shot out strong and held her position near the lead until the last quarter of the race when she dropped into 7th place finishing her race in a time of 11.63. Her time placed her 13th overall in a total of 24 runners in the semi-finals.

“The heat was my first 100 meters of the season so it felt like the first race,” said Tahesia. “I felt good in the second race. My start felt fine, my reaction was good, it’s just the last 30 meters of the race when I really faded and it cost me a better time than I should have ran. While I would have liked to have done better I gave it all that I had at that moment.”

Enjoying the experience of Gold Coast 2018, Tahesia will now be turning her attention to her team mates and cheer them on in their competitions. This is the fourth Commonwealth Games for Tahesia. She was the first female Virgin Islander to compete at the Commonwealth Games when she made her debut in Manchester in 2002 and advanced to the quarter-finals in the 100 meters in what was then her first senior international meet. Tahesia went on to finish in 5th place in the finals in both Melbourne 2006 and Delhi 2010.

“We are exceptionally proud of Tahesia,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Commonwealth Games Association. “She has been an excellent ambassador for our athletes, our team and the Virgin Islands at all Commonwealth Games. Her positive attitude and cheerful disposition along with her ethical approach to competition is what we at the BVICGA hope all our athletes will aspire to. We thank Tahesia for being a leader in the VI corps of athletes, and for her commitment to her sport and to the team.”

Eldred Henry was next up in the stadium on day one, competing in Group B of the Shot Put. He hurled his furthest throw of the flight in his first attempt to land at 18.19 meters. His distance placed him 5th in his group with the top thrower in his group achieving 20.47m. While Eldred felt he could have done better, his throw was good enough to get him through to the Shot Put finals on April 9.

Khari Herbert Jr started off from the blocks in the 400m heats but pulled out of the race after a few meters when he felt pains in his hamstring in his right leg. While disappointed not to have been able to compete in these Games, he is looking forward to racing in the upcoming events of the season.

Joe Chapman beat Manda Chilambwe (Zambia) in Plate Semi Final 11-5, 11-4, 6-11, 11-4. Photo: Max Harris

In Squash, Joe Chapman played in the semi-finals of the Men’s Singles Plate to win against Manda Chilambwe of Zambia. In an exciting match that took 38 minutes, Joe came through comfortably in four games 11-5, 11-4, 6-11, 11-4. He will face Cameron Stafford of Cayman in the Plate finals at 1.15pm on April 9 (11.15pm, Sunday, April 8 VI time).

Upcoming events:

Joe Chapman and Neville Sorrentino will play England’s Declan James and James Willstrop in the Men’s Squash Doubles at 11.45am on Tuesday, April 10 (9.45pm Monday, April 9 VI time).

Track and field competitions for the VI’s athletes will continue on Monday, April 9 with Ashley Kelly running in the 400m heats at 10.30am (8.30pm, Sunday, April 8, VI time) and Eldred will compete in the Shot Put finals at 8.25pm (6.25am Monday, April 9 VI time).

Kyron McMaster will debut in the Commonwealth Games with the 400m Hurdles heats at 11.15 am on Tuesday, April 10 (9.15pm, Monday, April 9, VI time), followed by Tynelle Gumbs in the Hammer Throw at 8.40pm (6.40am, Tuesday, April 10, VI time).

Chantel Malone will compete in the Long Jump at 7.00pm on Wednesday, April 11 (5.00am, VI time).

Eldred will then throw the Discus at 10.00am on Thursday, April 12 (8.00pm, Wednesday, April 11, VI time) and Trevia Gumbs will hurl the Shot Put at 12.15pm (10.15 pm, Wednesday, April 11, VI time). Trevia and twin sister, Tynelle will then compete in the Discus throw at 8.40pm that night (6.40am, Thursday, April 12, VI time).

The Games will be broadcast via Flow Sports Live and Flow’s mobile customers will also have live access via WiFi or Mobile Data to the Games via the Flow Sports 1 App. Live coverage on the Flow Sports Networks will start each evening at 7pm Eastern Caribbean Time and extend well into the late-night hours. Caribbean fans can also follow live Commonwealth Games events each morning, which is evening in Australia.

Supporters who want to follow the events and competition live must subtract 14 hours from the times scheduled on the official Gold Coast 2018 web site (www.gc2018.com).

Filed Under: Athletics, Gold Coast 2018 News, Squash Tagged With: , , , , , ,

VI athletes showcase territory at Gold Coast 2018 at Opening

April 5, 2018 by

By BVI Commonwealth Games Association

Team BVI in outfits styled by Kristin Fraser of Trefle Design BVI at the Gold Coast 2018 Opening Ceremony on April 4

The Virgin Islands team for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) entered the Carrara Stadium at the Opening Ceremony on the evening of Wednesday, April 4. The team comprising the 10 athletes, coaches, physio and Chef de Mission, was led by 400m hurdler, Kyron McMaster who was selected as the flag bearer.

“The Opening ceremony was a great occasion for us all,” said Mark Chapman, Chef de Mission. “All the athletes were on good form and are excited for the start of the Games. It was rewarding to know that we had a fan base in the audience which included our CGA guests, Deputy Premier, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering and Mrs. Pickering.”

The celebration featured a creative mix of ancient and modern Australia, connected by an array of classic Australian images that told a universal story of inclusiveness and diversity. The official start of the 21st Commonwealth Games was announced when the Queen’s Baton – which toured through the Virgin Islands July 2 – 4, 2017 – was run into the stadium and the Queen’s message to the athletes was removed from the Baton and read out by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

The team’s outfits were styled by the VI’s Kristin Fraser of Trèfle Design. “I was excited to create the opening ceremonial wear for the team,” said Kristin. “Colours evoke moods and I wanted to create something that would make the wearer feel happy on both the inside and out amongst all the other countries around them.”

Kristin used one of her first prints ever made called the “Artwork Print” and hand-painted by a local artist/designer and selected for originality, color and fabric. The print was coupled with a sleeveless top design for the women and included an over-sized bow meant to work and look like a scarf.

“The various shades of blue represent our waters and custom converse “chucks” were made by a local shoe guru to tie the entire look together. It was all about incorporating local talent, design and color so I’m blessed to be a part of this journey with the BVI delegation” she said.

The men wore white shirts, black pants and a white scarf imprinted with the elements that make up the VI flag – the Union Jack and the territorial coat of arms which depicts Saint Ursula framed by eleven oil lamps representing the 11,000 virgins after whom the Virgin Islands were named. Beneath St. Ursula is a scroll that reads, in Latin, “Vigilate” (Be Watchful).

 

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Gold Coast 2018 News, Squash Tagged With: , , , ,

Official Welcome for VI athletes ahead of Opening Ceremony. McMaster flagbearer

April 4, 2018 by

The BVI delegation attend the welcome reception and flag raising ceremony at the Gold Coast 2018 Village. Photo: Mark Latimer/BVICGA

The Virgin Islands athletes and delegates attended the official welcome and flag raising ceremony at the Gold Coast 2018 Athletes’ Village on Tuesday, April 2.

The event precedes the official start of the 21st Commonwealth Games when the Queen’s Baton – which toured through the Virgin Islands July 2 – 4, 2017 – is run into the Carrara Stadium and the Queen’s message to the athletes is removed from the Baton and read to the athletes. This Opening ceremony will take place at 7.00pm on April 4 (5:00am, Wednesday, April 4, VI time) where Kyron McMaster will lead the VI contingent of 10 athletes and 5 coaches as the flag bearer. The VI team will be sporting an outfit styled by VI designer, Kristin Fraser of Trèfle BVI.

The 10 athletes will represent the territory in two sports starting with Joe Chapman and Neville Sorrentino in the men’s Squash singles on Thursday, April 5.

Track and field competitions for the VI’s athletes will begin with Tahesia Harrigan-Scott in the women’s 100m heats starting at 2:00pm on Sunday, April 8 (midnight, Saturday, April 7, VI time) followed by Khari Herbert in the men’s 400m at 3.25pm (1.25am, Sunday, April 8, VI time), and Eldred Henry in the men’s Shot Put at 4.35pm (2.35am, Sunday, April 8, VI time).

Ashley Kelly will run in the 400m heats at 10.30am on Monday, April 9 (8.30pm, Sunday, April 8, VI time).

Kyron McMaster will debut in the Commonwealth Games with the 400m Hurdles heats at 11.15 am on Tuesday, April 10 (9.15pm, Monday, April 9, VI time), followed by Tynelle Gumbs in the Hammer Throw at 8.40 pm (6.40 am, Tuesday, April 10, VI time).

Chantel Malone will compete in the Long Jump at 7.00pm on Wednesday, April 11 (5.00am, VI time).

Eldred will then throw the Discus at 10.00am on Thursday, April 12 (8.00pm, Wednesday, April 11, VI time) and Trevia Gumbs will hurl the Shot Put at 12.15pm (10.15 pm, Wednesday, April 11, VI time). Trevia and twin sister, Tynelle will then compete in the Discus throw at 8.40pm that night (6.40am, Thursday, April 12, VI time).

The Games will be broadcast via Flow Sports Live and Flow’s mobile customers will also have live access via WiFi or Mobile Data to the Games via the Flow Sports 1 App. Live coverage on the Flow Sports Networks will start each evening at 7pm Eastern Caribbean Time and extend well into the late-night hours. Caribbean fans can also follow live Commonwealth Games events each morning, which is evening in Australia.

Supporters who want to follow the events and competition live must subtract 14 hours from the times scheduled on the official Gold Coast 2018 web site (www.gc2018.com).

To date the VI has participated in 7 Commonwealth Games, the first being in athletics in Auckland, New Zealand in 1990. The Gold Coast 2018 Games will be the territory’s 8th appearance and is the first major international event since the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

With more than 6,600 athletes and team officials from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories from 6 continents coming together to participate in the Friendly Games, organizers of the GC2018 say that this will be the largest sporting event that Australia will see this decade and will be the biggest sporting spectacular the Gold Coast has ever seen.

The Commonwealth Games Federation vision is to build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities globally by inspiring Commonwealth Athletes to drive the impact and ambition of all Commonwealth Citizens through Sport. The vision, mission and values of the Commonwealth Sports Movement hinge on three core values: Humanity, Equality, and Destiny.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Gold Coast 2018 News, Squash Tagged With: , ,

#TeamBVI settle in ahead of Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

April 2, 2018 by

The first arrivals of #teambvi at the Gold Coast 2018 Games have dinner at the Village on March 27. Photo: BVICGA

The complete British Virgin Islands contingent attending the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games is now in Australia ready for the Opening Ceremony on April 4 when over 6,600 athletes and team officials from 71 nations and territories will converge on the Gold Coast for an 11 day sporting and cultural event.

Planning to deal with the challenges of competing in a country which is 14 hours ahead of local Eastern Standard Time, athletes started to arrive into the Gold Coast from March 27 to work on adjusting their body clock and acclimate to the weather, which varies between warm and sunny days and cooler, wet ones.

Chef de Mission, Mark Chapman, got to the Athletes’ Village on March 26 to ensure that all was in place for a smooth transition for the team. The BVICGA assistants Kathrine and Lynne, who were assigned by the organizers of the Games, worked alongside the CGA attaché, former VI resident, Julie Pearson to get the accommodation comfortable and the uniforms sorted.

The first batch of the ten competing athletes and the coaches to be welcomed by the Chef de Mission were Ashley Kelly (200m), Chantel Malone (Long Jump), Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (1oom), Khari Herbert (400m), and Kyron McMaster (400m Hurdles) along with coaches, Joey Scott, Winston Potter, and Teymahl Huggins.

Some of the athletes went to the track that day while others had treatment with the team resident physio, Mark Latimer to shake out the journey.

“Everyone is in good spirits despite their long flights and the camaraderie and humour amongst them is infectious and invigorating,” said the Chef de Mission.  “We had a pleasant dinner all together in the main dining hall and everyone was able to connect with old friends from other nations, which apart from the sport itself, is one of the ways in which the Commonwealth Games is unique in bringing cultures and friendships across boundaries together.”

The athletes have rated the practice facilities first class and the athletes took full advantage of the polyclinic before it got too busy over the weekend.

Throwing coach, Omar Jones arrived on Thursday, March 29. That same day some of the athletes went to the training venue whilst others had a gym day at the village.

BVICGA President, Ephraim Penn and Secretary General, Lloyd Black, arrived into Gold Coast on March 30 in time for the CGF General Assembly on March 31.

On April 1, Das Surapaneni, a guest of the BVICGA, arrived. Now retired, Das who was a PE teacher for many years at the BVI High School (now the Elmore Stoutt High School) made great contributions to sport in the territory.

Athletes also took things up a notch again at the gym and the track on Easter Sunday.

“Everyone is very relaxed and enjoying quiet and calm in this mid-period between recovery from travel and their final event preparation,” reported the Chef de Mission.

The final complement of athletes and coaches arrived early in the morning on Monday, April 2 when Squash players Joe Chapman, and Neville Sorrentino – both playing in the singles and doubles – and their coach, Adam Murrills and the remaining 3 field athletes, Eldred Henry (Discus and Shot Put), Trevia Gumbs (Discus, Shot Put), and Tynelle Gumbs (Discus, Hammer Throw)received a a warm welcome into the village.

The 21st Commonwealth Games will be broadcast via Flow Sports Live and Flow’s mobile customers will also have live access via WiFi or Mobile Data to the Games via the Flow Sports 1 App. Live coverage on the Flow Sports Networks will start each evening at 7pm Eastern Caribbean Time and extend well into the late-night hours. Caribbean fans can also follow live Commonwealth Games events each morning, which is evening in Australia.

Supporters who want to follow the events and competition live must subtract 14 hours from the times scheduled on the official Gold Coast 2018 web site (www.gc2018.com).

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Gold Coast 2018 News, Squash Tagged With: , , , ,

VI athletes ready for Flow Carifta Games Bahamas 2018

March 29, 2018 by

By BVI Athletics Association

BVI’s athletes for the 2018 Flow Carifta Games stand behind officials (l-r) Ralston Henry – Athlete Representative, Nadia James-Harris – Flow Marketing and Communication Manager, Steve Augustine – BVI Athletics Association President, Brenda Lettsome-Tye – Director of Youth Affairs and Sports (Ag.), Ephraim Penn – BVI Olympic Committee President. Photo: Cleave Farrington/BVIAA

The British Virgin Islands Athletics Association introduced the athletes who will be competing at the 47th Flow Carifta Games to be held in Bahamas from March 30 – April 2, 2018. The announcement was made at a press conference held on Monday, March 26th 2018 at the BVI Arbitration Centre, Ritter House, Tortola.

The following athletes have been selected based on their performance:
Track and Field athletes includes under 17 Female: Xiomara Malone (100m Hurdles, High Jump and Long Jump), Zara Brown (100m and 200m) and Akrisa Eristee (200m and 400m). Under 17 Male: Malik John (200m and 400m) and Jaleel Croal (100m and 200m). Under 20 Female: Beyonce Defreitas (100m and 200m), Arianna Hayne (Long Jump) and Akira Phillip (Javelin). Under 20 Male: Rikkoi Brathwaite (100 and 200m), Joshua Hill (200m and 400m), Djimon Gumbs (Shot put and Discus) and Diamante Gumbs (Shot put and Discus).

Officials attending the Games include Stephanie Russ-Penn, Team Manager; Coaches Karene King, Cliff Williams and Erwin Telemaque; Chester “Levi” James, Team Physio and Cleave Farrington, Press.

Commenting to the athletes on their selection, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye – Director of Youth Affairs and Sports (Ag.), who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports Hon. Myron V. Walwyn congratulated all the athletes that have qualified for the games. She further stated that the Minister extended his congratulations to the coaches and parents. She said “Honourable Walwyn is very excited and pleased that the Virgin Islands was able to field a team at the Carifta Games, especially after all that we have been through with the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and we will continue to have his support. We are a resilient people and we expect nothing but the very best from you. We expect you to continue to be BVI strong and we expect you to bring back medals again.”

BVI Olympic Committee President, Ephraim Penn congratulated athletes on being selected noting further that Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused severe damage to sporting facilities in the VI resulting in the set back of the progress of sports in the territory, Mr. Penn said, “We recognize the effort, determination and perseverance required by the athletes to stay on track despite the challenges that they faced from the impact of the storms on their homes, their families and not least, the tragic loss of Athletics head coach, Dag Samuels”.

Mr. Penn thanked the BVI Government for working with the BVIOC to get sports to this stage, he also thanked the BVIAA President, Steve Augustine, Flow, Puma and especially the parents of the athletes.

Mr. Penn said “the BVI Olympic Committee stands committed to help in the development of sport and in particular, track and field. We have sponsored the team this year for US$20,000, in addition, a shipment of track and field equipment has arrived in the territory from Panam Sports and to top it off, a contract between Mondo and Panam Sports is in the final stage for the replacement of the track surface at the A.O. Shirley Grounds. Our job is to make sure your job is easy. You put in the work. It’s our responsiblity to make sure things are in place to help you succeed.”

In closing Mr. Penn reminded Athletes that they are subject to anti-doping testing at the games.

Mrs. Nadia James-Harris, Flow Marketing and Communication Manager in her remarks congratulated all the athletes. Flow is the title sponsor of the annual Carifta Games for the third consecutive year. Ms. James-Harris stated that “Flow invests in Caribbean dreams as the best and brightest display of talents by Caribbean Athletes.”

She encourages all to follow the games in Flow Sports and identify BVI as your favourite team with #FlowCarifta. To the athletes, Mrs James-Harris said “We are confident that you are going to go faster, you are going to go further, and you are going to go higher and make us all proud and bring home some medals as you always do.”

Mrs. James-Harris presented 4 handsets to the BVI Athletics Association to assist the team during the Games with activated 7 Day Prepaid Combo Plans.

Additional contributions from Flow include:
• Featuring the BVI Delegation athletes through a series of 30 second videos of the athletes in training, or talking about their experiences preparing for the games
• Engaging the BVIAA and Carifta athletes in a radio interview on ZBVI
• Hosting a Carifta Games Watch Party – Sunday April 1st, 2018 at Mulligan’s 4 p.m. (all invited)

BVIAA President, Mr. Steve Augustine in his remarks made mention that Puma is now the BVI’s Track and Field official sponsor to outfit the national team competing at all international and regional events.

Puma has sponsored BVI world-ranked athletes, Kyron McMaster (400m Hurdler), and Chantel Malone (Long Jump) who have recently signed individual deals with the sportswear company. “This is certainly not the first time that Puma has sponsored the BVI Track Athletes,” said Mr. Augustine. As documented by Mr. Rey O’Neal, Mr. Augustine read “Puma outfitted the British Virgin Islands’ first Olympic team to Los Angeles in 1984 as well as competitors at the 1987 and 1991 World Championships in Athletics. Members of the first Olympic group still resident in the Territory include track and field athletes, Dean Greenaway, Guy Hill, and Lindel Hodge, sailors, Dr. Robin Tattersall, Keith Thomas, and Elvet Meyers, and team officials, Rey O’Neal, and Hon. Mark Vanterpool.”

Mr. Augustine commended the late Xavier ‘Dag’ Samuels who was instrumental with the PUMA deal for BVI Athletics. He said “Part of the reason we are here in Puma gear today had a great deal to do with the drive Coach Samuels brought to the table.”

In his closing remarks. Mr. Augustine reflected on past Carifta games’ medalists and made mention of the numerous athletes that have benefited in athletics scholarship for tertiary level education through the BVI Athletics and reinforced the importance of BVI Government investment into track and tield athletes.

The official opening ceremony of the Flow Carifta Games is set for Friday, March 30th at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas starting at 6 p.m. Competition begins on Saturday, March 31st until Monday, April 2nd, 2018.

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With: , , , ,

Xiomara Malone triple qualifications for Carifta. Shaniyah Caul receives 4-year scholarship to Fairleigh Dickenson

March 23, 2018 by

By BVI Athletics Association

Raw Skillz Track Club athlete, Shaniyah Caul is recipient of a full 4-year Track and Field scholarship at the Farleigh Dickinson University. Photo: BVIAA

Xiomara ‘Gia’ Malone of Fast Lane Track Club leaped a distance of 5.27m to surpass the Carifta Games qualifying standard of 5.25m in the long jump; she has already qualified in the 100m hurdles and high jump.

Raw Skillz Track Club athlete, Shaniyah Caul was granted a full, 4-year Track and Field scholarship at the Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is the first athlete from her club to attain such an achievement.

“Firstly, I would like to thank the Most High for blessing me with this opportunity. Secondly, I want to thank my coach, Coach Redz for sticking with me through the tough journey because, seeing me for hours, six (6) days a week, one has to be mentally strong. I thank him for not giving up on me and always supporting me because I couldn’t have done it without him! I also want to thank my parents and families for sticking with me through this process and making things possible, and to all my supporters I want to say thank you,” said Shaniyah.

Meanwhile, Erwin Telemaque – known as Coach Redz – of Raw Skillz Track Club, and the extremely proud coach of Ms. Caul’s recalled letting each of his athletes know “If you want it as much as you need the air you breathe, you will get it.” Especially during practice, he drills into his athletes that “strength comes from overcoming the things you thought you could not do, your body won’t go where your mind does not let it go.”

Results from overseas athletes in recent indoors/outdoors competitions are as follows:

Spring Break Classic, Puerto Rico, March 16, 2018
• Rikkoi Brathwaite clocked a time of 10.81 in the 100m dash placing 4th and 21.65 seconds in the 200m to place 2nd.
• Deya Erickson ran a time of 14.71 in the 100m hurdles placing 2nd.
• Arianna Hayde leaped a distance of 5.57m placing 9th in long jump

Texas Southern Relays
• Joshua Hill of Elite Performance clocked a time of 22.03 and 48.61 in the 200m and 400m placing 3rd and 2nd respectively

Highlander Relays in Orlando, Florida
• Xiomara Gia Malone leaped a distance of 5.27m placing 1st in the long jump

Nova Sharks Invitational
• Ronique Todman clocked times of 21.99 and 48.64 in the 200m and 400m placing 2nd in both events. Todman as part of part of his ASA college team in the 4 X 100 and 4 X 400 clocked times of 41.05 and 3:20.27 placing them 1st in both events.

The BVIAA Dag Samuels Development meet series # 7 continues this weekend, Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the A.O. Shirley Recreational Grounds beginning at 2 p.m. with long Jump (u15 to open), shot put, 800m (u17 to open), 100m (u13 to open), discus, 300m (u13-u15), 400m (u17 to open), javelin and 200m (u13 to open).

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With: , , ,

Xiomara ‘Gia’ Malone surpasses qualifying standards for Carifta Game

March 14, 2018 by

By BVI Athletics Association

Xiomara ‘Gia’ Malone of Fast Lane Track Club clocked a time of 15.11 in the 100m hurdles to surpass Carifta Games qualifying standard of 15.25 at the Brian Jaeger Elite Classic, Florida. Photo: BVIAA

Xiomara ‘Gia’ Malone of Fast Lane Track Club clocked a time of 15.11 in the 100m hurdles to surpass Carifta Games qualifying standard of 15.25 at the Brian Jaeger Elite Classic, Florida, while locally at the A. O Shirley Grounds the sixth meet in the Dag Samuels Developmental Meet Series was completed.

The BVI Athletics Association thanks Mr. Mark Dorian of El Paso, Texas, and Mr. Guy Hill for the presentation of another set of training supplies in t-shirts and shoes for the athletes over weekend’s meet.

Rikkoi Brathwaite and Arianna Hayde will be attending the Spring Break Classic Track and Field meet in Carolina, Puerto Rico on Friday, March 16, 2018.

Locally, the BVIAA “Dag Samuels” Developmental Meet Series continues Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the A.O. Shirley Grounds.

Official results:

BVIAA Dag Samuels Developmental Meet Series
A. O. Shirley Grounds, Road Town, Tortola
Meet #6 – March 10, 2018

Participating Teams: ATC- Ambassadors Throwing Club; CTC- Cheetah’s Track Club; FLTC- Fast Lane Track Club; RSTC-  Raw Skillz Track Club; STTC – Sprint Tech Track Club; STXTC – St. Croix Track Club Mustangs; TNTC- Top Notch Track Club; UNA- Unattached; UVI- University of Virgin Islands.

 Girls 60 Meter Dash Under 9 Finals

(w: -3.2) 1. Edwards, Chelsea, Fast Lane Track, 10.46.  2. Brewley, Nickyjah, Fast Lane Track, 10.63.

Girls 150 Meter Dash Under 9

(w: -4.0) 1. Edwards, Chelsea, Fast Lane Track, 26.94.  2. Brewley, Nickyjah, Fast Lane Track, 28.51.

Girls 80 Meter Dash Under 11

(w: -3.9) 1. Augustine, Taryn, Top Notch Track, 14.09.  2. Stoute, Demia, Fast Lane Track, 14.38.

Girls 150 Meter Dash Under 11

1. Stoutt, Shyra, Sprint Tech Trac, 24.33, w:NWI.  2. Winter, Jayla, Fast Lane Track, 24.83, w:NWI.
3. Augustine, Taryn, Top Notch Track, 26.41, w:NWI.  4. Hull, Ka’Brina, Sprint Tech Trac, 26.45, w:NWI.
5. Robin, Malia, Sprint Tech Trac, 27.12, w:NWI.  6. Stoute, Demia, Fast Lane Track, 27.37, w:NWI.

Girls Long Jump Under 11

1. Stoutt, Shyra, Sprint Tech Trac, 3.13m, w:-4.8.  2. Winter, Jayla, Fast Lane Track, 3.05m, w:-2.8.

Girls 100 Meter Dash Under 13

(w: -1.6) 1. John, Vinesha, Fast Lane Track, 14.38.  2. Morton, Karliyah, Raw Skills Track, 14.42.
3. Frett, Acaida, Fast Lane Track, 14.56.  4. Morton, Jah’Kyla, Fast Lane Track, 15.20.

Girls 200 Meter Dash Under 13

(w: -3.3) 1. Smith, Michelle, St. Croix Track, 29.20.  2. Morton, Karliyah, Raw Skills Track, 29.85.
3. Joseph, Akyra, St. Croix Track, 31.08.

Girls 300 Meter Dash Under 13

1. Smith, Michelle, St. Croix Track, 45.71.  2. McMaster, A’Sia, Fast Lane Track, 48.13.
3. Morton, Jah’Kyla, Fast Lane Track, 48.47.  4. Frett, Acaida, Fast Lane Track, 49.21.  5. Joseph, Akyra, St. Croix Track, 49.50.
6. John,Vinesha, Fast Lane Track, 54.75.  7. Grate, Kenniqua, Fast Lane Track, 59.27.

Girls Long Jump Under 13

1. Frett, Acaida, Fast Lane Track, 3.91m, w:-4.3.  2. John, Vinesha, Fast Lane Track, 3.73m, w:-3.8.
3. Morton, Jah’Kyla, Fast Lane Track, 3.50m, w:-3.3.

Girls 100 Meter Dash Under 15

1. Williams, Jahtivya, Sprint Tech Trac, 13.18, w:-3.6.  2. Todman, Amia, Sprint Tech Trac, 13.72, w:-3.6.
3. Magloire, Abriel, Fast Lane Track, 13.75, w:-3.6.  4. Drummond, Nickelia, Sprint Tech Trac, 13.78, w:-3.6.
5. Maximea, Crystal, Fast Lane Track, 13.82, w:-3.6.  6. Campbell, Deona, Fast Lane Track, 15.00, w:-1.6.
7. Smith, Genelle, Sprint Tech Trac, 15.12, w:-1.6.  8. Frett, Anaya, Fast Lane Track, 15.91, w:-1.6.
–.Woodley, Reaiah, Sprint Tech Trac, DNF, w:-1.6.

Girls 200 Meter Dash Under 15

(w: -3.5) 1. Maximea, Crystal, Fast Lane Track, 27.15.  2. Drummond, Nickelia, Sprint Tech Trac, 27.51.
3. Magloire, Abriel, Fast Lane Track, 27.78.  4. Todman, Amia, Sprint Tech Trac, 28.16.
5. Campbell, Deona, Fast Lane Track, 31.57.

Girls 300 Meter Dash Under 15

1. Williams, Jahtivya, Sprint Tech Trac, 42.69.  2. Grate, Kenyatta, Sprint Tech Trac, 44.16.
3. Smith, Ariyah, Sprint Tech Trac, 45.30.  4. Claxton, Lia, Sprint Tech Trac, 45.69. 5. Frett, Anaya, Fast Lane Track, 55.33.

Girls Long Jump Under 15

1. Grate, Kenyatta, Sprint Tech Trac, 4.23m, w:-2.7.  2. Magloire, Abriel, Fast Lane Track, 3.82m, w:-4.5.
3. Campbell, Deona, Fast Lane Track, 3.45m, w:-2.4.

Girls 400 Meter Dash Under 17

1. Liburd, Kaelyaah, Raw Skills Track, 59.38.  2. Mcmaster, Akeela, Fast Lane Track, 1:03.19.
3. Hayde, Alisha, Sprint Tech Trac, 1:06.24.  4. Williams, Sherna, Cheetahs Track C, 1:10.74.

Girls Long Jump Open

1. Hayde, Arianna, Sprint Tech Trac, 5.32m, w:-2.9. 2. Charlwell, Deiondre, Cheetahs Track C, 3.82m, w:-4.2.

Women 100 Meter Dash Open

(w: -3.2) 1. Hucey, Shanice, Sprint Tech Trac, 14.19.

Women 200 Meter Dash Open

(w: -1.9) 1. Eristte, Akrisa, Sprint Tech Trac, 25.64. 2. Brown, Zara, Sprint Tech Trac, 26.61.
3. Erickson, Deya, Sprint Tech Trac, 27.38. 4. Hucey, Shanice, Sprint Tech Trac, 28.90.
5. Williams, Sherna, Cheetahs Track C, 29.15. 6. Richards, K’Nique, Unattached, 30.02.

Women 400 Meter Dash Open

1. Edwards, Tashira, Sprint Tech Trac, 1:01.11. 2. Fortune, Kelsha, Top Notch Track, 1:03.05.

Women Shot Put Open

1. Edgar, Ariana, St. Croix Track, 11.18m. 22 Fraser, Nicolla, Cheetahs Track C, 10.07m.
3. Steward, Abena, Cheetahs Track C, 9.55m. 4. Phillip, Akiara, Ambassador Track, 8.71m.
5. Smith, Jonique, Ambassador Track, 8.31m. 6. Hodge, Alexa, Fast Lane Track, 8.30m.
7. Davis, Alliana, Ambassador Track, 7.74m. 8. Joseph, Savianna, Fast Lane Track, 7.37m.
9. Ceasar, Palesa, Ambassador Track, 7.17m. 10. Williams, Jahtivya, Sprint Tech Trac, 7.08m.

Women Discus Throw Open

1. Phillip, Akiara, Ambassador Track, 27.01m. 2. Edgar, Ariana, St. Croix Track, 22.23m.
3. Hodge, Alexa, Fast Lane Track, 21.23m. 4. Smith, Jonique, Ambassador Track, 19.15m.
5. Ceasar, Palesa, Ambassador Track, 18.01m. 6. Joseph, Savianna, Fast Lane Track, 16.10m.
7. Davis, Alliana, Ambassador Track, 16.03m.

Boys 60 Meter Dash Under 9

(w: -3.1) 1. Auguiste, Abijah, Fast Lane Track, 9.86. 2. Mcintosh, Ayden, Fast Lane Track, 9.98.
3. Thomas, Kaleb, Fast Lane Track, 10.64. 4. Lavacia, Joque, Fast Lane Track, 10.86. 5. Henry, Apollo, Sprint Tech Trac, 11.76.

Boys 150 Meter Dash Under 9

(w: -2.6) 1. Mcintosh, Ayden, Fast Lane Track, 23.88. 2. Auguiste, Abijah, Fast Lane Track, 24.21.
3. Thomas, Kaleb, Fast Lane Track, 26.51. 4. Lavacia, Joque, Fast Lane Track, 26.62.
5. Henry, Apollo, Sprint Tech Trac, 29.57.

Boys 80 Meter Dash Under 11

(w: -3.6) 1. Antoine, Dijaye, Fast Lane Track, 11.85. 2. Joseph-Lennard, Jaheem, Fast Lane Track, 12.46.
3. Frett, Clariq, Fast Lane Track, 12.62. 4. Forbes, Vern-Omerie, Fast Lane Track, 13.96.

Boys 150 Meter Dash Under 11

1. Antoine, Dijaye, Fast Lane Track, 21.58, w:-3.4. 2. Frett, Tiondre, Sprint Tech Trac, 21.74, w:-3.6.
3. Joseph-Lennard, Jaheem, Fast Lane Track, 22.05, w:-3.6. 4. Gillings, Othniel, Fast Lane Track, 22.18, w:-3.6.
5. Williams, Latriel, Sprint Tech Trac, 22.43, w:-3.6. 6. Carter, Mario, Fast Lane Track, 22.96, w:-3.6.
7. Frett, Clariq, Fast Lane Track, 23.33, w:-3.4. 8. Smith, Azriel, Sprint Tech Trac, 23.76, w:-3.4.
9. Forbes, Vern-Omerio, Fast Lane Track, 25.45, w:-3.4. 10. Forbes, Vern-Omerie, Fast Lane Track, 26.82, w:-3.4.

 

Boys Long Jump Under 11

1. Frett, Tiondre, Sprint Tech Trac, 3.72m, w:-6.1. 2. Williams, Latriel, Sprint Tech Trac, 3.43m, w:-5.4.
3. Gillings, Othniel, Fast Lane Track, 3.19m, w:-2.6. 4. Smith, Azriel, Sprint Tech Trac, 3.13m, w:-3.2.
5. Carter, Mario, Fast Lane Track, 3.10m, w:-3.5. 6. Forbes, Vern-Omerio, Fast Lane Track,2.52m, w:-2.7.

Boys 100 Meter Dash Under 13

(w: -1.7) 1. Maduro, Antwan, Sprint Tech Trac, 13.94. 2. Pemberton, Jabari, Fast Lane Track, 14.52.
3. Samuel, Sean, Raw Skills Track, 14.76. 4. Maximea, Cayden, Fast Lane Track, 15.24.

Boys 200 Meter Dash Under 13

(w: -2.8) 1. Lettsome, Kaleem, Sprint Tech Trac, 28.61. 2. Pemberton, Jabari, Fast Lane Track, 29.00.
3. Samuel, Sean, Raw Skills Track, 29.33. 4. Maximea,Cayden, Fast Lane Track, 30.83.

Boys Long Jump Under 13

1. Lettsome, Kaleem, Sprint Tech Trac, 4.07m, w:-2.8.

Boys 300 Meter Dash Under 15

1. Roberts, Jamoi, Sprint Tech Trac, 41.04. 2. Jack, Rashaun, Sprint Tech Trac, 43.84.

Boys Long Jump Under 15

1. Maduro, Daniel, Fast Lane Track, 4.36m, w:-3.8.

 

Boys 800 Meter Dash Under 20

1. Romney, Samuel, Sprint Tech Trac, 2:04.75.

Boys Long Jump Open

1. Cousins, Nathan, Raw Skills Track, 4.41m, w:-4.2. 2. Joseph, Imani, Cheetahs Track C, 3.86m, w:-2.9.

Men 100 Meter Dash Open

(w: -3.2) 1. Tyson, Sadiki, Cheetahs Track C, 11.67. 2. Lynch, Joshua, Sprint Tech Trac, 11.90.
3. Campbell, Ke’Andrae, Top Notch Track, 11.97. 4. Vanterpool, Khoy, Sprint Tech Trac, 12.74.
5. Atemazem, Jordan, Cheetahs Track C, 12.80.

Men 400 Meter Dash Open

1. John, Malik, Sprint Tech Trac, 52.01. 2. Croal, Jaleel, Sprint Tech Trac, 52.44. 3. Duhaney, Jmari, Sprint Tech Trac, 53.55. 4. Romney, Samuel, Sprint Tech Trac, 53.72. 5. Barzey, Troy, Sprint Tech Trac, 54.97.
6. Smith, Gevon, Sprint Tech Trac, 56.63. 7. Vanterpool, Khoy, Sprint Tech Trac, 57.63.
8.Belle, Wanyae, Sprint Tech Trac, 58.22. 9. Baptiste, Alanzo, Top Notch Track, 59.55.
10. Hing, Jonathan, Sprint Tech Trac, 1:01.52. –, Lynch, Joshua, Sprint Tech Trac, DNF.

Men Shot Put Open

1. Gumbs, Diamante, Top Notch Track, 15.39m. 2. Gumbs, Djimon, Top Notch Track, 13.70m.
3. Benjamin, Treston, Cheetahs Track C, 11.44m. 4. Vanterpool, Kevin, Ambassador Track, 10.60m.
5. Ward, Deshoy, Ambassador Track, 10.32m. 6. Lavacia, Shael, Ambassador Track, 9.81m.
7. Douglas, Orlando, Ambassador Track, 6.62m. 8. Smith, Mekhi, Ambassador Track, 6.57m.

 

Men Discus Throw Open

1. Gumbs, Djimon, Top Notch Track, 51.40m. 2. Gumbs, Diamante, Top Notch Track, 45.56m.
3. Lavacia, Shael, Ambassador Track, 32.16m. 4. Vanterpool, Kevin, Ambassador Track, 31.96m.
5. Ward, Deshoy, Ambassador Track, 31.74m. 6.Smith, Mekhi, Ambassador Track, 17.38m.
7. Douglas, Orlando, Ambassador Track, 14.96m.

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With: , , ,

Tahesia Harrigan-Scott set to compete at her 5th IAAF World Indoor Championships

March 1, 2018 by

By the BVI Athletics Association

Tahesia Harrigan-Scott set to compete in the 60m dash at the 2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships, Birmingham UK. Photo: BVIAA

Tahesia Harrigan-Scott will be competing in the 60m dash event this Friday, March 2, 2018 at the IAAF World Indoor Championships which take place March 1 – 4, 2018 in Birmingham, U.K.

Mrs. Harrigan-Scott is accompanied by coach Mr. Ralston Henry.

3-time Olympian Mrs. Harrigan-Scott’s greatest success at the World Indoor Championships came in 2008 in Valencia, Spain where she placed 3rd in the 60m final with a time of 7.09.

Filed Under: Athletics Tagged With: , ,
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