Month: July 2023

I-BAP All-Star Series: Three division champions crowned

CHAMPIONS: The 19 and under (19U) division champions Team Dwarfism/Endometriosis pictured alongside silver-medallist Team Diabetes/Mental Health and bronze medallist Team Sickle Cell/PCOS.

CHAMPIONS: The 19 and under (19U) division champions Team Dwarfism/Endometriosis pictured alongside silver-medallist Team Diabetes/Mental Health and bronze medallist Team Sickle Cell/PCOS.

As of Wednesday, July 5, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE fifth edition of the I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) The Show: All-Star Survival concluded with three division champions crowned following the event which was held from June 25 to July 2.

#It was the first time the programme had three different division winners for the 13 and under (13U), 16 and under (16U), and 19 and under (19U) age groups.

#The first-time champions for the inaugural 13U division were Team Leukemia/Epilepsy.

#The away team Child Abuse/Lupus took home the championship hardware for 16U division. Additionally, the 19U division winners were Team Dwarfism/Endometriosis. The event not only featured the best softball players in the island nation but also brought awareness to social issues and illnesses found not only locally, but also worldwide.

#13 and under (13U)

#Team Leukemia/Epilepsy were the first-time winners for the 13 and under division after defeating the Autism/SIDS softball team.

#The game was the first of the day at the Junior Baseball League of Nassau (JBLN) Field of Dreams Complex at St Andrew’s School in Nassau East.

#Leukemia/Epilepsy wrapped up their competitors 15-9. The team’s comfortable lead remained unthreatened leading up to the final inning of the game.

#The 13 and under Most Valuable Player (MVP) honours went to Grand Bahama’s Jamiah Thompson. She earned the award after amassing a total of four hits, six runs scored and three stolen bases.

#The game’s Most Defensive Player was Abaco’s Lashawnya Forbes. She made two hits, scored one run and stole two bases.

#Oscar Greene, head coach of Team Leukemia/Epilepsy, talked about the team’s latest accomplishment.

#“We are thrilled about it. We are glad that Dachye Stubbs and organisers at I-BAP were able to introduce a 13 and under division to the All-Star Show so we were fully on board from the jump and excited to come. It feels good to take home the trophy,” Greene said.

#16 and under (16U)

#Team Child Abuse/Lupus secured a comfortable win after taking down Gender Based Violence/Breast Cancer 17-3 in their match this past Sunday.

#The first inning of the game opened with a 3-2 score following a home run by Team Gender Based Violence/Breast Cancer in the first inning. By the fourth inning of the game, the score went up to 11-3 favouring the winning team.

#MVP honours went to Nikeisha Saunders. She scored a total of five hits, one run and one stolen base.

#The 16U Most Defensive Player was Pasha Johnson with three hits, four runs scored, and three stolen bases in the championship game.

#Shane Albury, head coach of Team Child Abuse/Lupus, said it felt great to be a champion regardless of the age bracket.

#He said he was confident in his team and the calibre of players that they have and it would have been disappointing to lose but was happy with his team’s execution. Overall, Albury felt that the weekend and tournament was good.

#19 and under (19U)

#In the final game of the day and All-Star tournament, Team Dwarfism/Endometriosis held off Team Diabetes/Mental Health to narrowly win 7-6.

#The game went right down to the final play for both teams.

#Team Diabetes/Mental Health had climbed their way back from a 4-6 hole in the game however, they were unable to get over the hump.

#The 19U MVP honours went to Grand Bahama’s Kenya Forbes. She wrapped up with four hits, four runs scored and three stolen bases. The Most Defensive player for the 19U division went to Apryl Davis.

#Shaunte Curtis, head coach of Team Dwarfism/Endometriosis, talked about her team narrowly escaping with the championship win.

#“It was a battle, we came out here saying that we were not going to count anybody out, we were undefeated in round robin play so we knew that everybody was coming for us but we wanted to remain settled and composed… we are happy. I am excited and it feels good to come away with the win.” Curtis said.

#The I-BAP sports programme is a part of the International Sports Academy which helps athletes to receive sports contracts and collegiate scholarships as well as financial aid.

Team New Providence ready for Bahamas Games

Roy Colebrooke, chairman of the New Providence Sports Council, speaks yesterday at the Bahamas Games press conference.     
Photo: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

Roy Colebrooke, chairman of the New Providence Sports Council, speaks yesterday at the Bahamas Games press conference. Photo: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

As of Wednesday, July 5, 2023

#By LEESHAN MORLEY

#Tribune Intern

#AFTER 20 long years, the Bahamas Games are finally back.

#This Friday marks the beginning of the sixth Bahamas Games here in New Providence.

#With the games being so close, the tension is high between the islands, and the trash talk is getting louder. This leaves many to wonder – how exactly is the government preparing to bring our New Providence team to victory?

#According to Roy Colebrooke, chairman of the New Providence Sports Council, it has been confirmed that the housing accommodations for some of the New Providence teams have been finalised.

#They will be housed at Marriott hotel and Breezes resort.

#“We made a big breakthrough with the help of the minister and the chairman as it relates to accommodations for some of the New Providence team.”

#Colebrooke added: “We have made some changes in the best interest of New Providence, and we are very grateful for that.”

#For this year’s games, there has been a change. It has been decided that there will not be a draft this year to allow athletes to choose where they want to play.

#Although this may seem like a disadvantage for New Providence, Colebrook said that they have tried their best to assist with building competition for the games. “It was very important for us to relax the draft at this time, and I think it is working out very well,” Colebrooke said.

#“When it comes to athletes, we did our endeavour best to try and change the whole aspect as it relates to giving people freedom of choice.”

#As Friday quickly approaches, the Family Islands are letting us know that they are ready to face off against the New Providence team.

#Colebrooke informed us of a few phrases made by some of the other teams. One of them being that ‘we coming for pirates and pirates only’.

#Regardless of the noise, Colebrooke still remains very confident in the New Providence team stating that, as pirates, we take all we can and give nothing back.

COUNTDOWN: 2 days to go

As of Wednesday, July 5, 2023

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#By MALIQUE WALLACE

#Tribune Intern

#WITH just two days away, the Bahamas Games will kick start.

#Athletes from all over the island nation are getting on planes and boats to make their way to the Bahamas as well as some of our own Bahamian athletes who are returning home to compete and enjoy the event.

#It will allow those who have enough experience or who are there for the first time to get a chance to perform in front of thousands showcasing their skills and abilities.

#Not only is this for athletes to show their skills, but they have the opportunity to perform in front of scouts all over the world and have the chance to become professionals in the sport of their choosing.

#With sports such as basketball, baseball, swimming, soccer, tennis and sailing, the Bahamas Games will surely to be filled with a lot of excitement, determination, confidence and teamwork.

#Since this event is so huge, many people from different places will be joining in to watch the games.

#Although many people who will come to the games are not Bahamian, it doesn’t change the fact that this is a family event where everyone is welcome.

#Everything that will happen in this year’s Bahamas games will create a new path for those who would want to participate in the next Bahamas Games so that they will be able to get the same experience as those who started before them.

Swimmer Lamar Taylor happy with gold, bronze

Makes a name for himself at Central American & Caribbean Games in El Salvador

As of Wednesday, July 5, 2023

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Lamar Taylor on top of the podium with his gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games last week in San Salvador, El Salvador.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#LAMAR Taylor said he was surprised by his double medal winning performance at the Central American and Caribbean Games last week in San Salvador, El Salvador.

#Taylor, one of five swimmers to represent the Bahamas at the games, lowered the Bahamas Aquatics’ record with his gold medal performance in the men’s 50 metre backstroke and he earned a bronze in the 50m freestyle.

#“It felt pretty good. I really didn’t go into the meet expecting too much. I didn’t taper or shave for the meet, so I just went there to see where I’m at, but I’m happy with what I came out with,” said Taylor, who is going into his senior year at Henderson State University where he is studying health and human performance.

#“I didn’t expect any medals or the national record. I was just hoping that I would have been pretty close to my personal best times and hopefully make one or two finals, but I didn’t expect a whole lot.”

#When the Grand Bahamian touched the wall in 25.08 seconds for his victory in the 50m back, Taylor said he knew he was going to have an impressive showing at his debut at the four-yearly games.

#“I was really surprised and shocked just to see how much time I had dropped because of how long the season has been. To see how I PRed and won really shocked me and surprised me,” said Taylor who, in the process, qualified for the World Aquatics Championships, scheduled for July 14-30 in Fukuoka, Japan.

#“This was a really big eye opener for me because it really let me know that once I shave and taper down for Worlds, I could have a shot at winning a medal or at least make the finals.”

#On lowering the national record, Taylor said it was good to make it a little harder for the next generation following him.

#“If they see me swimming these times, it gives them a little bit of hope that they too can do these times,” Taylor pointed out. “My whole reason for swimming is to really motivate the younger kids.”

#Taylor, who turned 20 on June 21, added his bronze in the 50m free in 22.51.

#In addition, he also got seventh in the 100m freestyle and was ninth in both the 100m backstroke and the 50m butterfly.

#“I made a few mistakes in the race, but you live and learn from those mistakes,” he stated. “There are some things that you go through, and you want to make those mistakes in a meet like this, rather than do it in a bigger meet like the World Championships or the Olympic Games.

#“So to make those mistakes now, there’s no real consequences, except that you get to learn from them and hopefully you can improve on it as you look ahead to the future.”

#As for Team Bahamas, Taylor said he enjoyed competing with Emmanuel Gadson, Rhanishka Gibbs and siblings Luke-Kennedy and Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson.

#“I think the team performed very well,” Taylor said. “A lot of people were close to their best times and so I think they all performed very well.

#“I think for all of us to do a back-to-back event, we did our best. We just competed in the (Bahamas Aquatics) Nationals and so it was a little rough with travel and everything. But we got through it.”

#Now Taylor is preparing for the trip to the Worlds where he will compete on Team Bahamas with Davante Carey, Rhanishka Gibbs and Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson.

#“I feel like we have a really strong team, and we have a good chance of lowering the national record in the mixed relays,” Taylor said.

#“All of us have the potential to place really high in our individual events, so we should have a good meet.”

#Taylor, who stands at 6-feet, one-inch, is currently in Arkansas where he is travelling with his coach Scotty Serio in preparation for the Worlds before he leaves on July 14.

#With the quartet travelling to Japan, they will miss the sixth Bahamas Games that will run from July 6-14.

#However, Taylor wished all of the local competitors all of the best as they push for their best performances at the Games.

Miller Jr picks up bronze in high jump

Mullings in medal contention at CAC Games

Shaun Miller Jr

Shaun Miller Jr

As of Tuesday, July 4, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#As the action heat up for Team Bahamas yesterday at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Sal Salvador, El Salvador, Shaun Miller Jr picked up a bronze in the men’s high jump and Ken Mullings pushed himself in contention for another medal in the men’s decathlon.

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KEN Mullings

#Miller Jr, one of two Bahamians competing in the high jump, got his first knockdown at 7-feet, 1 1/2-inches or 2.17 metres, but came back and cleared it on his second attempt.

#He went up to 7-3 1/4 (2.22m) where he cleared his first attempt to move into silver.

#But after he failed his three attempts at 7-4 1/2 (2.25m), the 21-year-old Miller Jr dropped to bronze, pushing the Bahamas total to three medals so far at the games, adding to the gold and bronze won by Lamar Taylor last week in swimming.

#Puerto Rico’s Luis Castro took the men’s high jump gold with 7-4 ½ (2.25m), while the silver went to Cuba’s Luis Zayas, who matched the height, but lost on more knockdowns.

#The other Bahamian in the competition, Kyle Alcine, who celebrated his 24th birthday on June 29, bowed out at 6-11 ½ (2.12m).

#In the men’s decathlon yesterday, Mullings moved into second place after the first day of competition, while national record holder Kendrick Thompson didn’t start the 400m and had to withdraw from the final five events on tap today.

#Mullings, the former national record holder, ended up with 4,307 points after the first five events yesterday. He trails frontrunner Ayden Owens from Puerto Rico, who surged ahead with 4,436.

#Mullings, 24, got third in the 100m in 10.69 to accumulate 931 points; was ninth in the long jump with 23-2 (7.06m) for 828 points; got second in the shot put with 48-4 ½ (14.74m) for 747 points and won the high jump with 6-11 ¾ (2.13m) for 925 points before he ended up fifth in the 400m in 49.26.

#Thompson, on the other hand, was fourth in the 100m in 10.72 for 924 points; seventh in the long hump with 23-3 ¼ (7.09m) for 835 points; third in the shot put with 47-5 ¾ (14.47m) for 757 points; fourth in the high jump with 6-6 (1.98m) for 785 points before he skipped the 400m and was eliminated from further competition.

#Today, Mullings will go alone as he completes the competition in the 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500m.

#Also yesterday, Anthaya Charlton, the only female competitor on the track, got fourth in her heat of the 200m where she clocked 11,68 seconds and 20th overall as she just missed making the final by two spots.

#Julien Alfred from St Lucia had the fastest qualifying time of 11.28. The eighth and final spot was picked up by Akilah Lewis of Trinidad & Tobago in 11.57. Retired golden girl Chandra Sturrup still holds the meet record of 11.17 that she established on August 16, 1998 in Venezuela.

#Also in action today will be NCAA champion Rhema Otabor in the final of the women’s javelin. She will be the seventh of eight competitors in the competition with her lifetime best of 195-2 (59.49m).

#In water polo, Team Bahamas suffered its second straight loss yesterday after opening up its initial appearance in the games with a victory.

#In their latest game yesterday against Trinidad & Tobago, Team Bahamas lost a hard fought 11-7 decision as Nicholas Whitfield-Wallace and Joshua Green both scored a pair of goals and Khari Marshall, Aidan Johnson and Matthew Thompson added a goal each.

#Team Bahamas, led by coach Laszlo Borbely, gave it a gallant effort, but trailed 3-2 at the end of the first quarter and 6-4 at the half. Team Bahamas out-scored Trinidad & Tobago 3-2 in the third to cut the deficit to 8-6 going into the fourth. In the period, Trinadad & Tobago went on a 3-1 scoring rampage to hold off any further comeback by Team Bahamas.

#Team Bahamas, who won their first game with a 10-9 nipping of Centro Caribe Sports in their opener on Saturday before they fell 27-2 to Mexico on Sunday, will be off today, but will face Puerto Rico in their quarter-final match on Wednesday.

Bahamas Games opening on Saturday

As of Tuesday, July 4, 2023

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#By LEESHAN MORLEY

#Tribune Intern

#THE opening ceremony for the sixth edition of the Bahamas Games will take place on Saturday at 6pm at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#All of the Family Island teams will be arriving in New Providence on Thursday and will be housed in three different locations for the Games Village at Holiday Inn, The Marriott and Breezes hotel.

#It’s estimated that around 3,000 athletes and officials will be participating in the games.

#However, according to Keith ‘Belzee’ Smith, the treasurer of the Games Secretary, the housing for the New Providence team has yet to be determined because it was suggested that teams based in New Providence should not be housed in Games Village.

#As of today, Smith said there is still back and forth on housing for the New Providence team with three days before the games.

#The actual games will begin on Friday at am and continue on Saturday morning.

#The budget for the games is not being exposed at this time, according to Smith. But he said the government is placing the amount in portals and making decisions on the funds, until then there is no set known amount of funds.

#Funding has been distributed to all of the island councils based on what they would need to be prepared for the games.

#However, there was concern that arose about the funding not being sufficient for all teams.

#This resulted in all teams receiving additional funding to cover any leftover preparation.

#“The games are scheduled, and I am very confident that we will pull off these games and it will be successful,” Smith said.

#“As we speak, we are still doing the final touches, final preparations and my responsibility of getting funds where it is supposed to be.”

#• The venues for the games will be held at the following locations:

#Anatol Rodges – Basketball and volleyball; Donald Davis Junior High School – basketball; AF Adderly – basketball; Kendall GL Isaacs Gym – basketball and volleyball; Banker Field – softball; Roscoe AL Davies – soccer; Betty Kelly Complex – swimming; Old TAR Stadium – track and field; University of The Bahamas – bodybuilding; National Boxing Center – boxing; National Tennis Center – tennis; Ocean Club, Atlantis – golf; Clifton Pier – cycling; Montague – sailing/Opti sailing; powerlifting – exhibition; Edukarting – exhibition at TAR Stadium.

NFL Flag Bahamas to host first ever football clinic on July 11

As of Tuesday, July 4, 2023

#JUST weeks ago, it was announced that the NFL Flag Football nation was expanding to the Caribbean, starting with The Bahamas.

#Following this big announcement in June, NFL Flag Bahamas will host its very first ever ag football clinic on July 11 at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

#This will be a camp held for both youth and adult participants to showcase their skills and agility tests.

#This camp will be a separated into three parts throughout the day:

#1 Player testing

#2 Expert coaching clinic

#3 Competition

#The NFL Flag Football Skills Camp will be led by Phoebe Schecter, NFL Flag, global ambassador, and first international woman to coach in the NFL.

#Also expected to make a special appearance will be NFL Vice President, Roman Oben.

#The excitement is in the air to have representatives from NFL Flag Football leading the clinic and assisted by some of The Bahamas ag football local coaches.

#With the clinic being for both youth and adult participants, a strategic plan to orchestrate football stations to conduct both offensive and defensive drills are in place.

#As for the direction of the camp, Chris Prudhome, NFL Flag Bahamas, President stated:

#“I see the direction being one that has never been done before, developing the level of play and impacting the lives of many, including college scholarship opportunities.”

#NFL Flag Bahamas is encouraging anyone from the age of 6 or above that has an interest or passion for the game of football to sign up for the clinic, as it will be an experience every participant will remember.

#In terms of future plans, NFL Flag Football Bahamas are working on strategies that will allow local athletes to participate on the world stage in the game of ag football. There are opportunities that we would not have dreamed possible had it not been for NFL Flag Football Bahamas.

#Jayson Clarke, who is assisting with NFL Flag Bahamas, indicated that he is looking forward to NFL Flag to put ag football here in The Bahamas on a fast track, by providing an elevated level of exposure and opportunities by leveraging its International affiliations.

#Once the NFL Flag Football clinic is hosted, the ag football season, for both adults and kids, is intended to launch and commence in late August.

Emaniel Alexandre pleased with season, happy to be back home

As of Tuesday, July 4, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#EMANIEL Alexandre was glad to be back home.

#Alexandre was back on familiar grounds in the CI Gibson Gymnasium after he teamed up with Saheed Sanusi, Jaden Strachan, Bryan Rolle, Collin Storr and Charles Joseph on the CI Gibson Rattlers senior boys and Providence Storm basketball club teams.

#The 20-year-old Alexandre and his Bahamian team-mates helped the Northeast Community College Hawks men’s basketball team to a 15-17 win-loss record and a loss to Iowa Lakes Community College in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region II Tournament quarterfinals.

#After graduating with his associate degree in sports management, Alexandre came back home and made his presence felt at the CI Gibson Gymnasium where he worked as an instructor in the Kevin Johnson Basketball Camp.

#“I feel pretty good. Besides the cold, it wasn’t that bad,” said Alexandre, who is now preparing to transfer to Texas A&M International University.

#“School was pretty nice. The teachers and everyone were looking out for you, making sure that you didn’t fail.

#“Sports wise, it wasn’t bad either. We didn’t have a good year last year during our first season, but we had a pretty good season this year.

#“Most of us were in our sophomore year, so we knew the system and we understood what was going on.”

#Alexandre, who has grown to about 6-feet and is now about 170 pounds, played in all 32 games during the season.

#He averaged 16.1 points per game, shooting 39.2 percent from the field, 33.8 from the three-point arch and 65.5 percent from the free throw line, while dishing out 3.3 assists and grabbing 7.4 rebounds.

#“It was a learning opportunity. It was a start, but it’s only preparing me for the bigger level,” Alexandre said.

#“It was a learning opportunity for me. I think I will only get better when I move to our next college.”

#Looking back at where he came from, Alexandre said he was delighted to be able to share with the next generation of players in the basketball camp.

#He encouraged the players to “just keep working and trust in your coach because when you get over there, if you don’t listen to them, you won’t make it. You have to listen.”

#Coach Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson, in welcoming Alexandre home, said he remembers when he was a member of his Rattlers’ team, along with the other players. “He’s now an all-academic, having made a 3.4 grade point average and he’s doing well,” Johnson said. “As a freshman, he led the team in scoring and now he’s graduated with his associate degree and is heading onto Texas A&M International.

#“So I’m very proud of him. He’s a young man who is very focused and he understands the importance of being able to make the adjustment to the environment that he’s going through right now.” Johnson said he’s been just as pleased with the performances all of the other players on the team. He noted that they are went off to Northeast Community College and they performed exceptionally well.

#Through the example that they demonstrated, Johnson said he’s looking forward to the next group of basketball players coming out of his Rattlers and Providence Storm basketball club to make the transition from high school to college.

#The rest of the Bahamian connection at Northwest Community College this past season were: Sanusi, a 5-9 guard, played in all 32 games, averaging 3.0 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists; Strachan, a 6-1 guard, played in 28 games and averaged 4.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.7 assists; Rolle, a 6-7 forward, played in 30 games with an average of 3.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.5 assists and Storr, a 6-5 forward, averaged 14.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 30 games played. Joseph, a 6-8 center, didn’t play this season.

23rd Kevin Johnson Summer Basketball Camp in its final week

As of Tuesday, July 4, 2023

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#By MALIQUE WALLACE

#Tribune Intern

#THE 23rd Kevin Johnson Summer Basketball Camp is now in its final week at the CI Gibson Gymnasium.

#Coach Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson, the camp coordinator, says that he is always excited to teach kids the fundamentals and basics of basketball.

#Following his motto of putting “God, family, education and basketball” first in their lives, Johnson’s coaching has helped boys and girls between the ages of 5-19 as well as those who are older to exceed their own expectations in becoming a better player in every area.

#He explains to us that in order for kids to become better players both physically and mentally, they need the proper instructors because, at the end of the day, he wants the kids learning the right way.

#About 120-130 kids arrived at this camp, convinced that they will learn the proper techniques, drills and other fundamentals needed to play this sport. With the help of coach Shannon Williams, coach Emanuel Alexander, coach Davin Hannah, and coach Franko Johnson.

#Coach Johnson can achieve his goal in turning kids from simply picking up and bouncing a ball to all-round all-star athletes.

#Coach Thurman Johnson, who is the brother of coach Johnson, has had well over 10 years of coaching experience where he has had the chance to see these kids grow from rock bottom to the top.

#He says that he is impressed with the kids 4-10 on how they are able to learn so quickly with their skill set, dribbling, passing and shooting.

#Two kids who are participating in camp decided to talk about what they have learned and how this camp has helped them so far.

#Twelve-year-old Christian Joseph is not only in the 8th grade participating in this camp, but is also a 4th level swimmer for the Blue Rays.

#When we asked why he joined this camp, he says that as a shooting guard he wanted to get better in shooting and dribbling.

#“By coming to this camp I learned how to control the ball more and handle it better,” said Joseph, who attends St Anne’s School where he plays on the basketball team.

#His brother Charles Joseph attended CI Gibson and is now enrolled and about to graduate from Northeast Community College.

#Another camper, 13-year-old Arinai Rolle, who is in the 9th grade, says that the reason why she came to this camp was to play more and get better physically. This is her second year participating in this camp and she has learned a lot.

#On Friday, the camp will have its closing ceremony when all the campers will be featured in a showcase for their parents to see how much their kids have improved over these last few weeks.

RF Bank & Trust announces its sponsorship of Bahamas Games golf tournament

SHOWN, from left to right, Rachael Allahar, RF AVP and group head of marketing, Gina Gonzalez-Rolle, tournament director, David Van Onselen, RF VP and group head of business development.

SHOWN, from left to right, Rachael Allahar, RF AVP and group head of marketing, Gina Gonzalez-Rolle, tournament director, David Van Onselen, RF VP and group head of business development.

As of Tuesday, July 4, 2023

#RF Bank & Trust, a leading regional investment bank, is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Bahamas Games golf tournament as part of the nation’s 50th Independence celebrations.

#The tournament, organised by the Bahamas Golf Federation, will be held at the prestigious Ocean Club golf course from July 11 to July 14.

#RF Bank’s support reflects its commitment to showcasing the world-class talent of golf in The Bahamas.

#The Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games aims to highlight the exceptional talent that exists in The Bahamas and honour the nation’s rich history.

#The tournament will feature teams from various islands competing in different categories, including men, women, junior boys and junior girls.

#A total of nine teams, comprising 36 players and 13 coaches, will vie for the coveted gold medal.

#The participating teams and islands include Abaco Survivors, Andros RF Bank & Trust (Bahamas) Limited Chickcharnies, Bimini & Berry Island Marlins, Eleuthera Adventurers, Exuma Navigators, Grand Bahama Lucayans, Long Island Sheep Runners, Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay (MICAL) Flamingos, and New Providence Buccaneers.

#RF Bank’s philanthropic focus on supporting the evolution of golf in The Bahamas makes it an ideal partner for the Bahamas Games golf tournament.

#Through this sponsorship, RF Bank aims to contribute to the growth and development of the sport in the region, as well as foster a sense of community and national pride.

#“We are thrilled to be a sponsor of the Bahamas Games golf tournament and join in the celebration of the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games,” said Rachael Allahar, AVP and group head of marketing at RF Bank & Trust. “RF recognises the importance of investing in the growth and prosperity of The Bahamas and supporting initiatives that enhance the local community.

#“We look forward to witnessing the talent, dedication, and sportsmanship of the participants while commemorating the nation’s 50 years of independence.”

#“We are incredibly grateful to RF and our partners for their support in making the Bahamas Games golf tournament a resounding success,” said Gina Gonzalez-Rolle, tournament director.

#“Over the course of three days, we will witness intense competition and healthy rivalries, creating thrilling battles and unforgettable moments. “We are very excited to see all the players and wish them all a great tournament.”

#The tournament will kick off with a practice day on July 11, allowing all players and coaches to acclimate to the Ocean Club golf course. The following days will be dedicated to the tournament itself, with teams competing to secure their spot at the top of the leaderboard.

#The final standings from the golf tournament will contribute to the overall points tally for each island, ultimately determining the winner of the Bahamas Games.