Home|Sports|Mingoes women’s volleyball drops two matches in FloridaSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 13, 2023 37 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

DORAL, Florida — The University of The Bahamas (UB) Mingoes women’s volleyball team lost both of its matches against the Millennia Atlantic University (MAU) Macaws over the weekend.

Mingoes’ Head Coach Raymond Wilson said he was disappointed with the team’s performance after the first match, but added that he saw a noticeable improvement in teamwork, gameplay and execution during the second match.

The Mingoes lost the first match 25-6, 25-17 and 25-12 on Friday and lost the second 25-11, 25-22 and 25-16 on Saturday.

Wilson said the team improved its play in the second match, leading at several points and capitalizing on the errors by the Macaws.

Power hitter Patrice Ferguson lead the team and kept spirits high throughout the matches.

“The first day we did an okay job, but the second day we came and really fought,” she said.

Wilson said he was satisfied with the overall weekend experience, as the team showed sportsmanship and grit. He singled out freshman hitter Tonya Thompson’s impact on the team.

“Tonya contributed offensively and defensively, and brought an energy to the court that we needed,” Wilson said.

Thompson said she was happy with her performance and excited about the entire experience. “All of this was just new to me, unfamiliar territory,” she said. “It was really good being here with the team, as they are very welcoming, and I felt very much included, so it was a very good experience overall.”

The Mingoes are now preparing for the start of the New Providence Volleyball Association (NPVA) season, set to get underway in mid-October.

 Home|Sports|Jones, Liberty earn second seedSports

They will host the Mystics in the first round of the playoffs on Friday

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 12, 2023 64 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian professional women’s basketball player Jonquel ‘JJ’ Jones and the New York Liberty set a new franchise record for wins this year, finishing with 32, but at the end of the day, they still finished as the second seed in the race for the best record in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) this season, and will play the Washington Mystics in the first round of the playoffs that gets underway this week.

The Liberty will host the Washington Mystics in the first round of the playoffs, and the Mystics made sure of that with a dramatic win in the regular season finale on Sunday.

Brittney Sykes scored on a lob pass at the buzzer to lift the Mystics to a 90-88 victory over the Liberty at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Sunday, closing out the regular season.

Sykes, who finished with 20 points, caught an inbounds pass from Natasha Cloud with just 0.5 seconds remaining, and tossed it up. It went through the nets as the buzzer sounded, ending the Liberty’s eight-game winning streak. It also set up the first round series between the Liberty and Mystics, starting Friday night in Brooklyn. The first two games of the mini best-of-three series will be played in Brooklyn, and if necessary, the third and final game will be played in Washington.

If anything, the Mystics proved they could beat the Liberty on their home floor. They lost by one point, 89-88, in overtime to the Liberty in late June.

The Liberty finished with a 32-8 win/loss record in the league’s first 40-game season. The Mystics finished in a three-way tie for fifth with a 19-21 record, but will occupy the seventh seed based on the tiebreaking procedures. Despite being a huge underdog, Cloud said they will come ready to play.

“… we want to send a message – ‘you’re going to have to see us all series long,’” she said. “‘You have to go through a really good team still – a team that’s hungry, a team full of dogs.’ … Let it be known this is going to be a really good series.”

Prior to Sunday’s dramatic loss, the Liberty had won eight straight and 14 of their last 15 games.

As for Jones, she had 19 points and nine rebounds in 29 minutes of work on Sunday. She shot 8-for-13 from the field and was 1-for-3 from deep. The Liberty were led by Sabrina Ionescu with 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Betnijah Laney, who signed a contract extension with the Liberty through the 2025 season on Saturday, finished with 13 points. Marine Johannès was the only other player in double figures for them with 11.

Behind Sykes’ 20 points, Cloud had 17, six rebounds and five assists for the Mystics. Two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Elena Delle Donne and Ariel Atkins finished with 11 apiece.

The Liberty led by eight points early, and the Mystics by 12 late before the game got close down the stretch. Sykes’ buzzer beating shot prevented overtime and gave them the seventh seed going into the playoffs.

For the season, Jones, the 2021 WNBA MVP, finished at 11.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting 52.7 percent from the floor.

Jones is vying for her first team title in the WNBA and this may be her best chance to do it. The Liberty won the league’s Commissioner’s Cup this season – an in-season tournament, pitting the best regular season teams up against each other. Jones was the MVP of that game as they defeated the pennant-winning defending champs Las Vegas Aces, 82-63.

That game aside, Jones and the Liberty split four games with the Aces this season, and the two teams are favored to meet for the WNBA Championship in October. The Aces finished at 34-8, compiling the most wins in the regular season in WNBA history. They will host the eighth seeded Chicago Sky in the first round of the playoffs, starting Wednesday.

 Home|Sports|Thomas still driven to succeedSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 12, 2023 135 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Coming off a ninth straight appearance at the athletics world championships, Bahamian Donald Thomas is being featured on the World Athletics website as an athlete who just keeps going on, and one who continues to push through adversity to compete at a high level and represent his country.

It’s been 16 years since Thomas won gold in the men’s high jump at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics in Osaka, Japan, clearing 2.35 meters (m) – 7’ 8-1/2”. He hasn’t missed an outdoor world championships since, and has been one of the most consistent performers among Bahamian athletes in that span.

At 39, Thomas continues to produce at a very high standard. He finished tied for 16th at the 19th World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, last month, missing the final by three centimeters. Thomas cleared 2.25m (7’ 4-1/2”) and the final qualifying height for the final was 2.28m (7’ 5-3/4”). He failed three times at the 2.28m height.

From all indication, he will compete for a spot for next year’s Olympics as well, maintaining an incredible level of consistency and durability. Thomas is a four-time Olympian. His nine world championships appearances matches Chris Brown, Laverne Eve, Jackie Edwards and Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie for the most ever in Bahamian history.

Thomas told Cathal Dennehy of World Athletics that he will keep going as long as he physically can.

“I guess, I want to achieve more,” he said. “I felt like I had it in me to get into the final and possibly contend for a medal (in Budapest). It just didn’t go my way. I feel I can do it, so I just got to keep it going…. I feel like I have better jumps left. So, I gotta stay positive, take the good with the bad.”

Since breaking on the scene in 2006, Thomas has been arguably The Bahamas’ most consistent athlete, maintaining a high level of production and winning regional and world medals. He is a world champion, a Commonwealth Games champion, a Pan American Games champion, a Continental Cup champion, and a two-time Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games champion.

He told Dennehy that two of his biggest supporters, a 17-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter thinks he is a superhero.

“They always look up to me and admire what I do. I’m sure they will be disappointed I didn’t get into the final (Budapest), but that’s what it is. You compete against the world and sometimes you fall short,” he said.

The Bahamian standout athlete said it is because of the support he receives and confidence in his ability which keeps him going. Remarkably, he has been able to avoid major injury during his stellar 17-year professional career. He wants to maximize his potential, possibly winning another world title and getting that elusive Olympic medal. His highest ever finish at the Olympics was in a three-way tie for seventh in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016, clearing 2.29m (7’ 6”). He has been as high as sixth at the world championships, following his victory in 2007.

He’s won the national title in the men’s high jump eight times.

“If I didn’t think I could get one (another world title), I wouldn’t still be jumping. I feel I could do it. So, I just got to keep it going,” he said to Dennehy. “… the jumping part is easy. It’s the technical aspects of the jump I find a little harder but in terms of the natural spring, that’s the easy part. I just have to stay patient, stay tall throughout the running and get straight up. Sometimes, I tend not to do it, or I take too many jumps in order to get to the right position, but I just have to keep working.”

The Bahamian veteran high jumper will celebrate his 40th birthday next July, a few weeks before the start of what he anticipates will be his fifth straight appearance at the Olympics. The 2024 Summer Olympics is set for July 26 to August 11, 2024, in Paris, France.

Thomas hasn’t revealed any plans for his immediate future, simply stating that he’ll take it one day at a time and continue to give his best effort.

Whatever avenue he takes, he will go down in history as one of the most durable and consistent performers for The Bahamas in Bahamian athletics. He is also one of The Bahamas’ most decorated athletes ever.

 Home|Sports|Winners recognized from Rotary’s fourth annual golf tourneySports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 12, 2023 57 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

A total of 64 golf players gathered at the Royal Blue Golf Course at the Baha Mar resort for the Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise’s 4th Annual Golf Tournament on July 30.

Running in conjunction with the tournament was a raffle and an auction.

The event was organized by the club’s fundraising committee. Its members are Past President Dr. Sophia Rolle (fundraising chairperson), President Deno Moss, President of Rotaract Nassau Sunset Shanado Moss, Immediate Past President Doneth Cartwright, Past Assistant Governor Karen Pinder, Past President Tanya Woodside, Treasurer Keith Roye, Past Community Service Director Ken Dames and Public Image Chairperson Karine MacVean.

The proceeds from the tournament, raffle and auction will fund the club’s general community service activities.

This year, the club’s focus is on youth literacy and mental health.

This year’s winners were Crestwell Gardiner and Francis Adderley of the Fidelity Group. They won a floating trophy and a round of golf for four at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island.

Finishing second were Ricardo Underwood and Joe Eutenuer of J.S. Johnson Insurance. They were awarded a trophy and a round of golf for four at the Albany Golf Course.

Coming in third were the father and daughter team of Oswald Moore and Keishla Rattnater.

They earned a trophy and a round of golf for two at the Royal Blue Golf Course.

Also up for grabs was a C-Class Mercedes Benz, for a hole-in-one prize, sponsored by Tyrefkex Motors and the Moss Group Wealth Management Company. Despite many close attempts, the prize was unclaimed as no one sunk a hole-in-one.

 Home|Sports|Puerto Rico takes down Bahamas 6-1Sports

Rahming scores lone goal for The Bahamas

Simba FrenchSend an emailSeptember 11, 2023 105 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas senior men’s national football team got its 2023-2024 CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) Nations League action off on a sour note, as Puerto Rico bested the team 6-1 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium on Saturday. The match was a part of League B, Group D action.

Head coach for The Bahamas, Nesly Jean said that despite the loss, his players did well.

“They did well in the second half. There were a few mistakes in the first half that we needed to adjust. I think going to the second half we did that. It is a learning experience for the younger guys and the guys who made their debut. We are going to make mistakes but at the same time we must learn from it,” Jean said.

The Bahamas got off to a strong start finding the back of the net in less than two minutes on a Christopher Rahming shot from the top of Puerto Rico’s 18-yard box. It was part of Jean’s plan to hit Puerto Rico on the counterattack early in the game.

The visitors answered back with a goal of their own four minutes later when Gerald Diaz kicked in the equalizer. Puerto Rico scored again on a Ricardo Rivera header inside the box at the 14-minute mark as they took a 2-1 lead. The visitors were not finished yet as Joel Burgos sent the ball past Bahamas’ goalkeeper Vance Wheaton in the 35th minute. Las Boricuas were not done scoring in the first half as Rodolfo Sulia got on the scoresheet in the 42nd minute to make it 4-1.

The Puerto Rico head coach, Husidic Adis said that after The Bahamas scored first, his team began to settle in.

“We started playing Puerto Rico football. The scoreline is a bit funny to me because we were close to having a lot more goals than six. We just implemented a new system, so I am proud of the boys for how they were brave to play it. It was very risky, but this is our identity, and it was fun watching them being brave and playing beautiful football,” Adis said.

The second half was much better from The Bahamas side as the formation was changed. The Bahamas had a lot more opportunities early in that half but did not get any past the Puerto Rican goalkeeper, Joel Serrano. Center back for The Bahamas, William Evans said that they let Puerto Rico come at them too much in the first half.

“We showed what we could do in the second half. We were all over them in the first couple minutes of the second half. We kept the ball; got chances and we need to put those away.”

The Bahamas kept it clean for the majority of the second half, but Burgos scored his second goal in the game in the 86th minute to make it 5-1. Diaz put the icing on the cake with an 89th minute goal to put them up 6-1. Puerto Rico’s captain, Nicolas Cardona said they knew they had a lot of time left after The Bahamas hit them on the chin early.

“We had a lot of minutes to impose our game on them and we were able to do it. We started slower in the second half, and we need to improve on that and we will do that and play better in the next match,” Cardona said.

Bahamians came out and supported their team. Striker, Wood ‘Peter’ Julmis who helped to set up the Bahamas’ lone goal was impressed with the crowd’s support on Saturday.

“I played a few home games before, and I think this is the most fans that I saw since I started playing for the national team. We appreciate them as a team. They came out and backed us even when we were down, they were still cheering and rooting for us. They were the 12th man, and we felt the home support,” Julmis said.

He added that he felt that the team found their identity in the second half and going forward they need to trust themselves more.

The Bahamas heads to Guyana to play Guyana, who took down Antigua and Barbuda 5-1 on Saturday in Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda. That game will be at the National Track and Field Center in Leonora, Guyana. Jean who did not ‘let the cat out the bag’, said that The Bahamas is ready for that away game.

“We will adjust,” Jean said. “Guyana is a different team with a different style of play. We must adjust our identity. We have nothing to lose, and we must take risks and get up the field and by doing that we will get our chances.”

Puerto Rico and Antigua and Barbuda will play on a neutral site at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium on Tuesday at 7.06 p.m.

As of Friday, September 8, 2023

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Dr Kent Bazard

#A growing trend in the realm of sports nutrition involves the use of natural supplements to boost athletic prowess naturally. In this article, we’ll explore the world of natural supplements, their potential benefits, and considerations for athletes aiming to optimize their performance the healthy way.

#Understanding Natural Supplements

#Natural supplements encompass a broad spectrum of substances derived from nature. These can include vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, amino acids, and more. Unlike synthetic counterparts, natural supplements are sourced from real foods and plants, aligning with a holistic approach to nutrition.

#The Benefits of Natural Supplements

#1 Enhanced Recovery: Natural supplements like tart cherry extract and curcumin have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, aiding in post-workout recovery. Reduced inflammation means less downtime between intense training sessions.

#2 Improved Endurance: Some supplements, such as beetroot juice and cordyceps mushrooms, have shown potential in boosting endurance and oxygen utilisation, crucial for endurance athletes.

#3 Joint Health: Ingredients like collagen and glucosamine can support joint health, essential for athletes susceptible to wear and tear.

#4 Mental Clarity: Natural supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, are known to support cognitive function, helping athletes stay sharp during competition.

#The Importance of Quality and Safety

#While natural supplements offer potential benefits, athletes must exercise caution. Not all supplements are created equal, and quality varies significantly among brands. Not only that, for many compounds, what is called the “therapeutic dosage”, meaning the daily amount necessary to most safely and effectively treat disease, is not known. Therefore manufacturers do not hold any liability for any adverse effects or reactions. Lastly, many products that are banned either during competition or at any time by the World Anti-Doping Agency. It’s vital to research thoroughly, consult with a sports nutrition specialist, and choose supplements certified for quality and safety.

#The Role of a Sports Nutrition Specialist

#Sports nutrition is a nuanced field and personalised guidance is invaluable. A qualified sports nutrition specialist can assess an athlete’s unique needs, tailor supplement recommendations, and monitor their impact on performance and overall health.

#Conclusion

#Natural supplements can be a valuable addition to an athlete’s nutrition regimen, providing a natural and safe way to enhance performance. However, their use should be approached with careful consideration and expert guidance. As athletes strive for excellence, the incorporation of natural supplements, in conjunction with a well-balanced diet, can help them achieve their athletic goals naturally and sustainably.

#Dr. Kent Bazard, is a Bahamian Sports Medicine Physician, Sports Performance Coach Sports Nutrition Specialist, and Founder of Empire Sports Medicine. Our mission is to empower athletes to reach new heights while safeguarding their health and well-being. We understand the unique demands of sports activities, and we are dedicated to helping athletes prevent injuries, overcome challenges, optimise nutrition and performance.

As of Friday, September 8, 2023

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Antonio Beckford

Wood Julmis

Nathan Wells

Junior Kelly

#THE University of The Bahamas will have four players on the Bahamas national soccer team for upcoming CONCACAF Nations Leagues matches against Puerto Rico and Guyana.  

#Striker Wood Julmis, midfielders Nathan Wells and Junior Kelly, along with goalkeeper Antonio Beckford, have been named to the national team for the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) Nations League two-match series.  

#UB men’s soccer head coach Alex Thompson said the four players being called up to represent the country speaks volumes about the programme at the University of The Bahamas and the work each player has put in to improving their game.   

#Wells is representing The Bahamas for the first time and is expected to make his presence known. Thompson said Wells is hoping to make his first international start during this series.  “He has come a long way from being a prodigious young player three to four years ago to one of the top midfielders in the country.” 

#Wells said he’s excited to be representing The Bahamas. “This is all my work coming to fruition and it gives me incentive to keep going,” he said. “It is a really big thing to represent the country.” 

#Julmis’ scoring prowess is well known but he’s been hampered by a recent injury. “I think he can overcome that injury and should be a focal point for the team,” Thompson said.  

#Thompson said he’s incredibly impressed with Kelly’s improvement. “Kelly has worked harder than almost anyone in the squad this year and has completely transformed his body,” he said. “As he continues to mature, I believe he can be a national starter.” 

#As for Beckford, who only recently started playing soccer, Thompson pointed out his work ethic and desire to be the best player he can be. “One year ago, he had played a year of high school soccer,” he said. “And now after missing maybe 0.5% of training sessions and being an absolute sponge, he is making a national team. That’s both crazy and amazing at the same time.” 

#Beckford agrees. “For me it’s just amazing to be able to be out there and practicing and learning everything from the other players,” he said. “There are a lot of veteran goalkeepers and goalkeeper coaches out there who are helping me a lot.” 

#The Bahamas plays Puerto Rico at 6pm Saturday at The Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium and then takes on Guyana at 6pm on Wednesday, September 12 in Lenora, Guyana.

As of Friday, September 8, 2023

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Tarran Knowles and Dr Kent Bazard.

Tarran Knowles working out.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Getting in to the gym to develop more mass as a football player has earned big dividends for Tarran Knowles, who now has the distinction of being one of two Bahamians to hold pro cards in bodybuilding in two organisations.

#Tired of being knocked around as a small fullback for the Jets in the Commonwealth American Football League, Knowles ventured into the gym to train. 

#The Infrastructure Support Analyst at the Royal Bank of Canada was then encouraged to get into one of the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation’s bodybuilding shows.

#“Me being the arrogant person that I was at the time, it was like the kid in me that took it to heart,” said Knowles about making the transition. “I decided to put in the work.”

#His debut was in 2014 at the National Performance Arts Center, where he placed last in his category. Undeterred, he wowed to everybody that he would be back.

#A year later, after putting more time and energy into his preparation, Knowles began to see his improvement on stage, and it was in 2016 that he won his category, and then made the commitment to go for his pro card.

#“At that time, the opportunities became more available to venture out onto the international platform,” said Knowles, who also went on to achieve his certification as an ISSA Personal Trainer and Nutritionist and Exercise Therapy. 

#“I would encourage anybody who has the means and the urge to compete in bodybuilding to not just leave it to compete locally.”

#In 2019 in Montreal, Canada, Knowles made his international breakthrough, earning his Pro Elite card. That inspired him to continue to pursue the sport and, last month, he captured Pro League cards in two organisations.

#“I made this venture personally. I didn’t share any information or tell anybody what I was doing,” said Knowles, of what he called the best kept secret. “Nobody knew what I was doing until last week when I was going into the competition.

#“I didn’t want to share any information because the little that they knew, the less they could interfere with your plans.”

#Knowles travelled to Tampa, Florida where he captured the overall title and because of the feedback from the judges, who encouraged him to take it further, he entered the Pro League show in Pittsburgh, where he reigned supreme in two of the three categories he entered in.

#“I was grateful that I got the pro cards considering that I can advance to the Pro League side of the competition and leave the Pro Elite side,” he said. “I went pro physique twice, which I think on record in the Bahamas, has never been done.”

#As a certified personal trainer, Knowles said he wanted to find a gym that would be suitable for him to operate with his TKTHABRAND training programme and Empire fitness Center turned out to be the ideal place.

#“Dr Kent Bazard welcomed me with open arms,” Knowles said. “The atmosphere here is cool, there’s no micromanagement and you tend to do what you have to do. It allows my brand to live. That is what I want.”

#Bazard said he’s proud to be able to have Knowles associated with his Empire Fitness Center, located in the Sea Grape Shopping Center.

#“This gym has always been home to great bodybuilders such as Joel Stubbs back in the mid 90s when we first opened,” Bazard said. “So, we’ve always had great bodybuilders here and Tarran is just carrying on the tradition.”

#Based on what he saw from the competition, Bazard said he was impressed with Knowles’ presentation. He noted that it will only serve as an inspiration for those who are watching him train in the gym.

#“We have two more professional bodybuilders who work out in this gym, and we have a few more aspiring professionals, including females, who work out here,” he stated.

#“But the sport in general is one that we have not really tapped into and there is a lot of potential for it.

#“We have a lot of talented athletes who do a lot of work, and they perform very well. So, it’s great to see competitors like Tarran earning a living from what he loves doing. We are just happy to help facilitate that for him at Empire Fitness Center.”

#After earning his first pro card at the age of 37, Knowles said he felt that he was nearing the end of his career as a bodybuilder. But now at the age of 40, he’s even more inspired to go on.

#“This lifestyle, once you get involved in it, becomes a passion,” Knowles pointed out. “You always want to elevate yourself and challenge yourself. It’s hard to separate that life especially when you are in that environment when you are helping me to transform their lives.

#“You always want to go back to yourself and be an example. I had the people behind me. When you are looking to do things, when you have a circle of people who can help you, you can’t fall. This has been a great year for me, and I intend to make my pro debut and see how far I can go with it.”

#While he continues to promote his training programme, Knowles said he will take the rest of the year off to spend some time with his family and friends and prepare for his pro debut next year,

#“The competition is going to be stiff going into the Pro League, so I want to make sure that I am ready,” he insisted. “I want to make a name for myself and the Bahamas.

#“I know there are people who are competing for the Bahamas now, but I don’t just want to say I am going to compete.

#“I want to go and compete to win. So, taking eight months to a year off will allow me to see if I can hold some mass before I get too old.”

#Knowles is currently trained by Loleta Riley and Chris Guttierrez, who are based in Pembroke Pines, Florida. They work hand in hand to get the job done online, but Knowles said through his own knowledge of the sport as a physical fitness instructor, he’s able to concentrate on the development of his body.

#Prior to working with the pair, Knowles credits Natasha Brown, the first Bahamian female fitness pro competitor, for the role she played in his genesis to the sport.

#He was also mentored by Kenny Mackey and Joel Stubbs, the federation’s first vice president and president respectively. Stubbs was also a former pro bodybuilder, who was lauded as having the biggest back in the world.

#As a trendsetter with his dual pro cards, Knowles said he will encourage anybody who wants to venture into the sport to establish a protocol for themselves and not to get lost into just having fun, but something that you have to maintain for the rest of your life. 

#“I speak to as many of the competitors that I can and of course a lot of them are doing very well,” Knowles pointed out.

#“But it’s always good to be grounded and humble in this sport.

#“One day you could be on top and the next day you could be down. I try my best to be out of everybody’s way, but I try my best to encourage everybody who I come in contact with because I don’t want them to feel like I can’t be approachable.”

#Knowles said he felt the whole sport, including the federation, missed the bar when the world went through the COVID-19 pandemic in trying to educate the people on how to stay fit and balancing their nutrition.

#“COVID wasn’t about the sickness. It was about getting better and that was what I focused on and that is why I was able to accomplish what I did once we came through it,” Knowles proclaimed.

#Although it’s considered an expensive sport, Knowles said if one markets himself properly, he can get the support from the general public. He noted that he compiled his profile, and he provided an expensive report for persons to assist him, especially when he got turned down from one corporate sponsor after another.

#He thanked the federation for allowing him to receive the financial stipend from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, which has enabled him to get through some of the emotional, physical and financial roadblocks that he’s encountered in the past.

#“God is very important. Without him, none of this was possible,” Knowles stressed. “I am not telling people that they need to go to Church, but I encourage them to have a personal relationship with God or whoever you feel is that significant person to give you the strength.

#“I want to thank my mom, Kim Bonaby, who is a big supporter. She cries more than I do.

#“You will need people like that to help you especially when things may not be going as you expected.” 

#Since earning his pro cards, Knowles admitted that it hasn’t sunk in yet for him.

#“It’s humbling. I didn’t announce that I was going to shows so people didn’t know what my plans were,” he said. “In the past, I would have told everybody, but this time it worked out for me. 

#“I was silent, and I allowed my destiny to work out for me. I don’t like to dwell on the past.

#“You would be surprised to know that I have a Rubbermaid container that I have placed all of my awards in.

#“The only thing I have out is the paper pro card because I don’t want it to get mashed up.”

#And after returning home, Knowles said he’s been shown a lot of love and appreciation.

#He said he knows he will encourage more people who may not like him to respect him and what he has accomplished.

As of Friday, September 8, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The St Augustine’s College (SAC) Big Red Machine continues to be a force to be reckoned within the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) sports and this season they are looking to continue their legacy.

#The secondary high school accomplished many successes in the previous season, hoisting championship trophies in softball (junior girls), the cross country championships, the high school nationals, flag football, and at the BAISS track and field championships.

#The Big Red Machine has dominated in sports for countless years and expectations remain the same for the new sporting season.

#Jason Edwards, SAC head coach, said the school is expecting another great sporting year.

#“For the Big Red Machine we expect the upcoming season to be another great one. We are going to do what we always do, work hard, stay committed, and try to motivate these kids and have them overcome certain things,” Edwards said.

#With practices already underway for the various sporting disciplines including softball and track and field, the head coach believes that training will get hard but motivation and discipline are key for athletes.

#For the 2023 graduate year, SAC saw up to 12 of their student athletes transition to the collegiate level to continue their studies in the USA. Some of the top Class of 2023 graduates included Amari Pratt, Johnathon Fowler, Tumani Skinner, Ezthia Maycock, Clinton Laguerre, Alexis Brown Jr, Jadyn Demeritte and D’Angelo Collie.

#According to Edwards, the secondary school’s ultimate goal is to develop students and create collegiate level student athletes.

#“We want to create collegiate student athletes, when you come to SAC our goal is to get you to the next level and we believe winning is a byproduct of that,” he said.

#He added that the coaches focus on the individual athletes because the goal is not simply to win but to ensure that athletes try and get better everyday.

#Despite losing some top senior athletes, Edwards is confident in the school’s quest to win their fourth consecutive BAISS track and field title.

#“This happens every year and is nothing new, kids leave kids come . . . we expect it to be a good one and expect it to be a competitive meet against the other opponents,” the head coach said.

#The coach added that the school is focused on the development of their students rather than recruitment, which helps them to maintain sporting success.

#The BAISS sporting season will commence with softball on September 18. Softball will be followed by the cross country championships in October, and the swimming and basketball disciplines begin in November.

 Home|Sports|Davis voted as GSSSA president for fifth straight termSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailSeptember 8, 2023 7 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Varel Davis was voted back into office for a fifth consecutive term, serving as the president of the Government Secondary School Sports Association (GSSSA). The members showed their confidence in her during the elections at C.H. Reeves Junior High School on Thursday.

Davis was overwhelmingly voted back into office, 14-1, over Shantell Rolle who opposed her. She said she is thankful for the members for supporting her and her team.

“They supported me and my team’s plans in what they want to see accomplished. We are very grateful for them for supporting me. They know that this job is a lot of work and they know I put my all into what I do and that is why they supported me,” Davis said.

Also being elected were Kendal Campbell as first vice president, Thurman Johnson as second vice Keesha Pratt-Johnson as secretary, Fiona Tucker as assistant secretary, Neketa Sears-Knowles as treasurer and Tyrice Curry-Davis as assistant secretary.

Davis, who has been at the helm since 2015, was happy to get another victory and she said they will be celebrating their 30th anniversary this year.

“It feels good to get another victory. I am excited to be back as president. We have a lot of things planned as it is our 30th year. I am excited that I have some persons around me who want to be a part of this and see us continue to do the work that we set out to do,” Davis said.

She and her team want to have a retiree banquet for persons who gave their time to coaching or teaching and have now retired. She said there is no date set for the retiree banquet as yet.

One of the goals Davis has is to see more of the student-athletes receive scholarships to go off to college.

“We want to see if our coaches can get more of our kids off to school, especially when they graduate. We have some very athletic children in the high school sector so we need our coaches to give more effort into training so more athletes could get more scholarships,” Davis said.

She added that the Ministry of Education & Technical & Vocational Training Sports Unit is looking to put on nationals in all of the core sports this year. Davis said they will be switching a few sports around this year. They are starting the year off with volleyball, and then cross country, basketball, track and field, softball, baseball and then soccer. There is the possibility of bringing on sports like golf, sloop sailing and rowing, she said.

Davis said they are looking to bring back a cheerleading competition. She also said they will look at the possibility of providing championship rings for the various winners, but that depends on the funds they are able to raise.