Home|Sports|Team Bahamas off to CAC ChampionshipsSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailSeptember 21, 2023 20 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas Bodybuilding Wellness and Fitness Federation (BBWFF) has sent a 14-member team to Aruba to participate at the Golden Anniversary 50th International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness’ (IFBB) Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships. The event gets underway today and wraps up on Sunday.

Competition is set to be held at Aruba Marriott Resort in Palm Beach, Aruba. The team left yesterday and was expected to arrive in Aruba last evening.

Making up the team are men’s national overall champion Godfrey Robinson, Reginald Delancy and Orick Nesbitt in men’s bodybuilding, Briceton Anderson in men’s fitness, Kareem Brancaccio in men’s fit model, Ricardo Gibson in men’s physique Class C, Judah Forbes in men’s physique Class D, Brandon Bastian in men’s physique Class F, Anthon Moxey in men’s classic physique Class B and Andrew Gibson in men’s classic physique Class C. Anderson will also compete in men’s physique Class B.

The women’s side will be represented by Dorcas Cox who will compete in women’s body fitness (figure), Denica Thompson and Andrecka Dames in women’s wellness Class B and Ivanique Kemp in women’s wellness Class D.

The head coach of the team is Raymond Tucker and he will be assisted by Jason Johnson. The team manager is Leonardo Dean.

“We viewed these athletes’ bodies from week to week and I believe we did an awesome job in critiquing them. I am expecting great results, no less than third in most categories. We are looking for some gold and silver medals,” Tucker said.

Robinson, who is one of four members on the team making a return to the CAC Championships, is competing internationally for the first time since 2016. The other three members who have experience are Nesbitt, Forbes and Cox.

“It is a pleasure being back on the team,” Robinson said. “It’s good to be reunited with Coach Tucker who brought me back into the sport. The last time I competed, I made top six. This time I am in a heavier division, but I am hoping to get back into the top six. Once I get into the top six, I will take it from there and hope. It is great to put these colors on again.”

Nesbitt, who hails from Freeport, Grand Bahama, expressed how good it is to go to Aruba to represent The Bahamas.

“It was a bit challenging getting ready for this competition because of the heavy weight training and then cut down, but I’m ready. I’m looking to bring back the gold in the heavyweight division,” Nesbitt said.

Kemp, who is an Olympian from athletics back in 2012, has made the transition to bodybuilding and fitness.

“I’m very excited to be on the team. I intend on going out there and doing my very best,” she said.

The Bahamas did not compete at the CAC Championships in Bridgetown, Barbados, last year, and is making a return this year.

In 2021, an eight-member team from The Bahamas returned home from the CAC Championships with eight medals – two gold, three silver and three bronze.

 Home|Sports|ITF official meets with sports ministry and BLTASports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 21, 2023 17 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) President Perry Newton and International Tennis Federation (ITF) representative Gustavo Grannito paid a courtesy call on Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Kelsie Johnson-Sills and Sports Officer Adam Miller.

Newton said the meeting focused on the work of the BLTA and the collaboration of the ITF to help build tennis in The Bahamas. Newton said the meeting also highlighted the role of the ministry in helping in the development of the sport and working alongside the national association. He said the meeting was very productive.

Grannito also toured the BLTA’s National Tennis Centre and had an opportunity to meet with some of the facility’s coaches and directors. The center, which is privately funded and operated, is yet to be recognized by the ITF under the updated ITF recognition program which assesses facilities and its programs.

President Newton said, “This is a very important step for tennis in The Bahamas. The ITF recognition means that the national tennis center has met the administrative and operational requirements set forth by the recognition criteria. The national tennis center directors have been diligent in defining the administrative structure and program offerings of the facility and will continue to seek to evolve and improve and incorporate the guidance by the ITF.”

The ITF is vital in the support of the growth of tennis through its guidance and encouragement principles.

“We are truly appreciative of the support from the international governing body,” said Newton. “We thank Mr. Grannito for taking the time out to visit the national tennis center and to impart his knowledge and experience with us.”

Newton fully expects the national tennis center to receive ITF recognition.

Miami Marlins’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr reacts after hitting a grand slam during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, September 17, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

As of Thursday, September 21, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#BAHAMIAN Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr and the Miami Marlins celebrated his latest historic feat, being the team’s first player to notch grand slams in back-to-back games.

#The franchise gifted the 25-year-old with a surprise side-by-side commemorative card photograph of the big moments that were framed together and presented to him.

#Additionally, his celebration extended to the first 8,000 fans that attended the Marlins’ game against the New York Mets at the Marlins Park last night.

#The team’s promotion allowed the supporters to receive the iconic Jazz Double Grand Slam Commemorative card to mark the historic moment in Marlins history.

#The Bahamian baseball star was grateful as he talked about how it felt to be on the right side of Marlins team history. “Thank you guys, without you guys we would not be here. Thank you guys for the opportunity for letting me play in Miami. It has always been a dream since I was a kid [and] to actually make history in Miami is actually one of the coolest things I have ever done,” he said.

#Chisholm Jr has been having quite the September locally and internationally. The face of the Major League Baseball The Show video game had a big showing on the weekend in the team’s three-game sweep of the league-leading Atlanta Braves.

#The first grand slam of the weekend and season came against the Braves on Saturday. The Marlins won the game 11-5. In the win he came away with one run scored and four runs batted in (RBIs).

#The centre fielder was the second player since 1900 to pull off a grand slam and steal three bases in the team’s win. Just one night later, Chisholm Jr did it again, this time to beat the Braves comfortably 16-2.

#In the victory he amassed four runs scored along with four RBIs. His latest accomplishment came in the bottom of the third inning where he sent a ball from Braves’ Charlie Morton over the wall of the right centre field to extend the lead to 5-0 for the Marlins.

#On the season, he has amassed a career-high 18 home runs, 45 runs and an on base plus slugging percentage of 0.759.

#Collectively, the Marlins are trying to make it back to the playoffs for the fourth time in their 31 years of existence.

#The team’s last playoff appearance was in 2020 in the bubble.

#Chisholm Jr seems to be poised to make it happen for his team as they vie for the last two wild card spots to book their ticket to the MLB National League playoffs.

#Up to press time, the Marlins sat one spot outside of the top three wild card teams with a 79-73 (win/loss record).

#The team will play their next trio of games against the 85-66 Milwaukee Brewers Friday night at 6:40pm.

: Women’s national soccer teams in Concacaf Gold Cup opener

Grenada’s head coach Jake Rennie and team captain Roneisha Frank can be seen at a press conference ahead of their Concacaf Gold Cup soccer match against the Bahamas women’s national soccer team at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium tonight.

As of Wednesday, September 20, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Although they were unsuccessful in their debut at the international level last year, Grenada women’s national soccer team is confident that the experience gained will help them prevail against the Bahamas in their opening match of the Concacaf Gold Cup.

#The team, comprising of a mixture of youth and experience, the majority of whom are under the age of 25, will face the Bahamas tonight at 7pm at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#This will be the Bahamas’ first international game for its senior women’s team in more than three decades.

#Head coach Jake Rennie said the team has been preparing for their second consecutive appearance in the Concacaf Gold Cup since February and they are ready.

#“Our preparation is good and I’m satisfied with the players and the level where the players are at now,” said Rennie of the team’s final preparation for the game.

#Last year, Rennie said they were excited to have played in the tournament, but in making their debut in The Bahamas, he said they have all enjoyed the weather and the hospitality shown by the Bahamian people, but they are motivated and anxious to play.

#“Our expectations for this game is to do our best and hopefully we will come out victorious,” Rennie said. “Mentally and physically, I think we are there, knowing what we had gone through in this hard training.

#“At this moment, the players are excited, they are happy and so that brings joy to me. Mentally and physically, we are ready.”

#Frank, a left wing and striker who can play multiple positions, said it’s key for them to win the game to give them the motivation for their next game.

#“My expectations coming into this game is very high because we have been training very hard over the couple of weeks and months and I think the team is ready to go out there and execute everything the coaches have been teaching us so far.”

#Looking at the makeup of their team, Frank said they have a very strong team offensively and defensively but they just need to do what the coaches have instilled in them and they will be in a position to win.

#“I am confident in all of my players. We play as a team and not only one player, so I’m very confident in all of my players,” Rennie summed up.

#Having played against teams like the Dominican Republic and Jamaica was able to give the team the exposure that they needed to get them ready for the Gold Cup journey this year. But he said they only have one goal in mind and that is to win. “My main personal goal is to go our there and win the game for my country, for my coaches and my team-mates and rejoice,” Frank said.

#They will have to do it against a Bahamian team, coached by Ricqea Bain, who will be loaded with collegiate and locally based players, who too are looking forward to winning their first match in the Gold Cup home and away tour before they head to Grenada to play on Sunday at 4pm.

#Tickets for tonight’s game are priced at $20 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 12.

As of Wednesday, September 20, 2023

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JONQUEL Jones

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#WOMEN’S National Basketball Association (WNBA) player Jonquel Jones posted her second straight double double to complete the 2-0 sweep against the Washington Mystics last night.

#The seventh-seeded Eastern Conference team showed why they evened the season series 2-2 as they forced the Liberty to work for the feat in overtime.

#The 90-85 win makes it the first time since 2015 the league’s second best team have advanced out of the first round en route to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.

#The Liberty were in control of game two in the opening period after their team ran out to a 21-18 lead at the Barclays Centre.

#After having an off night in their opening playoff game, Associated Player of the Year Breanna Stewart got back into her groove last night.

#At the end of the first period, the league’s second highest scorer was up to 11 points in the game. She ended the night with a dominant double double, posting a team-high 27 points along with 10 rebounds in the narrow win.

#In the second quarter, New York’s formidable women’s team had their highest scoring segment of the game.

#The team outscored the Mystics 25-17 and closed out the period with an 11-point cushion to break for the second half.

#Grand Bahamian Jones was a force to be reckoned with inside the paint once again. She notched her second consecutive double double of the series with 19 points alongside 14 boards and three blocks.

#The former WNBA MVP also shot 6-for-9 from the field and was instrumental down the stretch for the Liberty. The pesky Mystics seemed determined not to go home after the break. Mystics guard Natasha Cloud was valiant in her efforts to thwart the Liberty’s chances of advancing to the semifinals. The floor general poured in a career and game-high of 33 points, 9 dimes, six rebounds and also connected on five shots from behind the arc.

#The seventh-seed outscored the Liberty 21-13 in the third period. In the final quarter of regulation, Washington charged ahead at the 4:55 mark 67-63 in their quest to upset the Liberty’s chances of executing the sweep. With 33 seconds remaining in the win-or-go home elimination game Mystics small forward Brittney Sykes nailed a timely three-point shot to tie the score 74 apiece.

#Cloud iced two free throws with under 30 seconds remaining to put the Mystics up by 2. Ultimately, in true playoff fashion Jones returned the favor, canning her own pair of free throws to give her newest team a chance at the sweep in OT.

#The extra period play saw the Liberty strike first after being on the ropes at the end of regulation. Jones’ team went up 84-79 in Brooklyn, New York. However, the Mystics remained hungry and got the score within one (86-85) following some big free throws from Ariel Atkins. Washington’s team was unable to steal the win after Stewart made the two separate pairs of clutch free throws to help the Liberty to advance to the semifinals.

#The Liberty collected 41 rebounds and shot 85.7 per cent from the charity stripe in the big win.

#The team will now await the winner of the Connecticut Sun versus Minnesota Lynx series tonight at 8pm. The semifinals will get underway for Jones and the Liberty on Sunday.

PLAYOFF REPLAY: The Bain and Grants Town Cybots advanced to a 2-0 series lead and remain undefeated against the Bamboo Shack Patrollers.

As of Wednesday, September 20, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MOYSC) Panthers and Bain and Grants Town Cybots are heating up in round two of the Bahamas Government Departmental Basketball Association (BGDBA) playoffs.

#With the top three 2023 regular season teams battling to advance to the next round, competition levels have picked up at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.

#Last year’s defending champions, the Panthers, rebounded with a 80-78 narrow win against the Police Crimestoppers on Monday night following their loss on the weekend.

#The Cybots remain in the driver’s seat after collecting a 86-79 win to make it their fourth straight of the playoffs and second win of the series over the Bamboo Shack Patrollers.

#Panthers vs Crimestoppers

#The Panthers regained their footing in the best-of-five series on Monday night against the Crimestoppers. Coming into the game the series was tied 1-1 but the team closed out game three by two points following a big game by Kemsey Sylvestre.

#Before Monday’s game the Crimestoppers’ game plan was to slow down the Panthers star and his teammate Roosevelt Whylly. However, the latter did not play but his teammate stepped up in a big way.

#The former national basketball team member pushed his team to a 2-1 series lead after he put up a jaw-dropping 23 points and 21 boards for a double double in the victory. Additionally, he amassed eight assists, nabbed two steals and blocked two shots.

#In one of the more competitive series of the BGDBA playoffs, the Panthers and Crimestoppers started the first quarter of play in typical form, evenly matched.

#After leading 13-4 in the first five minutes of the game, the Panthers closed out the first period leading 24-22. The following quarter saw the score differential change to six points this time favouring the Crimestoppers who outscored their opponents 24-16 before the halftime break. The score was 46-40 as both teams prepped for the second half.

#The third quarter saw the Crimestoppers lead 55-51 early in the period with Jeron Smith and Michael Furley Bain Jr leading the way. Smith ended the night with a team-high 17 points and shot 58.3 per cent from the field in the tough loss. Meanwhile, Bain notched 15 points, 6 rebounds and five assists.

#Despite shooting more than 47 per cent in the paint compared to the Panthers’ 35 per cent, the Crimestoppers could not stop their opponents on the boards. The Panthers secured 64 rebounds to the 43 grabbed by the Crimestoppers.

#Although the Crimestoppers also bested the Panthers in fastbreak and bench points, the team’s free throw woes soiled their chances of earning their second win of the series.

#With 0.40 seconds remaining in the ball game, Sylvestre hit a big bucket to push the lead to 79-78. Cyril Rolle, his teammate, knocked down a key free throw to make the score 80-78.

#On the final play, Bain was awarded two foul shots that gave the Crimestoppers a chance to play an extra period for overtime.

#However, both of his free throw attempts clanked off the iron to close the curtain on the Crimestoppers.

#Sylvestre talked about the difficult win against the Crimestoppers.

#“We know being down two starters everybody had to dig deep and everybody just had to come and play. It took a full team effort, I was thankful to my team for giving me a little break so I could bring them home at the end,” he said.

#He added that the Crimestoppers made a crucial mistake switching their defensive set to a box-and-one zone which he took advantage of on the go-ahead bucket for the win.

#Cybots vs Patrollers

#The Cybots are one of the more experienced teams in the BGDBA playoffs and it showed against the Patrollers on Monday night.

#The team earned a seven-point win to push their series lead to 2-0 and will look to complete the sweep tonight at 7:30pm.

#The Patrollers kept up with the Cybots throughout the first two quarters. The lead was 38-34 going into halftime with the Bamboo Shack team in charge.

#However, in the third period the momentum shifted for the Cybots who started the quarter leading 49-44 and ran the lead up to 10 points to close out the 10 minutes of play.

#The Cybots placed their feet on the gas pedal and got out to a 75-53 scoring run to earn a 22-point lead which was their biggest of the game.

#Despite narrowing the lead down to single digits in the final period, the Patrollers were unable to regain the lead anymore after the second half.

#Wayde Watson, head coach of the Cybots, said it was a good win and the Patrollers played hard and came back strong but was thankful his team was able to pull it off. He added that the goal remains to win every quarter and every game to advance.

#The 2023 BGDBA playoffs will continue tonight at 7:30pm.

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As of Wednesday, September 20, 2023

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Rayshard and Richard Gibson and Makeda Johnson in New York at the 42nd US Mid-Amateur Championships that took place at the Sleepy Hallow Country Club in Scarborough, New York.

Golfer Richard Gibson Jr and his brother, caddie Rayshard Gibson, in New York.

Brothers Rayshard and Richard Gibson Jr in New York.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#RICHARD Gibson Jr, the Bahamas’ top ranked international amateur golfer, returned home last week after participating in the 42nd US Mid-Amateur Championships that took place at the Sleepy Hallow Country Club in Scarborough, New York.

#He wasn’t successful in making the cut for the top 64 out of the field of 264 field to advance to the match play for the hardware, but Gibson said the experience gained was just as valuable.

#“That’s the best experience I ever had in golf and it was a new experience for me,” said Gibson, who was only the second Bahamian to play in the event, following on the heels of DeVaughn Robinson.

#“I never experienced some of the stuff that I went through. I give thanks to God for giving me the opportunity, but I never played on a golf course that was so rough. The rough length was about 4-5 inches. I never played the rough that high before and I never played greens in competition that was that fast. That’s the fastest I’ve ever played the golf course before in terms of putting.”

#The 31-year-old Gibson Jr, whose world ranking is pegged at 245 before the start of the tournament in New York, admitted that in order for him to continue to improve, he will have to definitely play more competition in the United States.

#“The Caribbean golf is pretty much the same. You might find a golf course where the rough is a little bit higher, but for the USGA event, they intentionally grow the rough up because they want you to play a championship course.

#“So they will grow the rough up from maybe 3 ½ inches to about five inches. They penalise you if you miss the fairways. So you need to hit the fairways. If you miss the fairways, you will be penalised. Other than that, you have to learn how to deal with the weather delays.”

#In most tournaments he’s played here around the Caribbean, Gibson Jr said the organisers would more than likely cancel the rest of the match play or shorten the rounds whenever it rains. With the rain delays in New York, Gibson Jr said the organisers just pushed the tee times back.

#“I was supposed to play on Saturday and Sunday, but I ended up playing on Saturday and Monday because my tee times were pushed back,” he said.

#“Originally, I was supposed to tee off at 1:38pm on Sunday, but after the rain delays, it was pushed back to 6:38pm. Then we had another delay and when I went to check to see what’s going on, they told me my tee time had been moved to Monday at 8:38am.

#“So that was a new experience for me. I always wanted to see how that worked out. I always watched it on TV, but to actually be a part of it was something else. The only thing I didn’t somewhat like, because it was raining so much, I thought they would have done lift, clean and place where once your ball hit the fairway, you would lift it and clean the dirt off and play. But they just let us go with the ball down where you just played from wherever your ball landed on the fairway.”

#Gibson is now preparing to team up with Nolan Johnson, the Bahamas’ second highest ranked international amateur golfer at 887, in the US Amateur Fou Ball Championships that will be staged in Bayou Oakes South Course in New Orleans, Louisiana.

#“We’re going to give it our best shot,” Gibson Jr said.

#If they are successful, they will advance to the 2024 US Amateur Four Ball Championships that will be held at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in Philidelphia May 25-29.

#At this stage in the game, Gibson Jr said he’s been pleased with his progress since he started playing the game at the age of eight with his father, Richard Gibson Sr. But he admitted while he enjoys the competition here, he needs more of a challenge to get to the point where he could be a contender in the big tournaments on the international scene, especially in the USA.

#“When I’m playing against a group of people and I know I’m going to be coming in either first, second or third, that’s not helping me,” he stated. “For me to get better, I know I have to get to the United States or Europe or Canada where there are a lot more golfers who I don’t know and I have to perform.

#“That’s the only way that I am going to get better to get on the professional tour where they are watching you play on TV. That is where I want to go, but I know I have to get in some more tournaments to improve my scores and my game.”

#Compared to a Professional Golf Association pro, Gibson Jr said those players wake up in the morning and head to the gym to lift weights. They then go on the golf course for the rest of the day, practicing and playing golf.

#When he gets up, he spends the majority of his time working on the golf course where he’s assisting the visiting amateur and pro golfers as they practice and compete at the Royal Blue Golf Club at Baha Mar where he is the operations assistant.

#“I can’t practice on the golf course until I get off. That’s a big difference,” Gibson Jr pointed out.

#“Until I can find a big sponsor who will enable me to stop working, I still have a lot more to do before I can take that step and turn pro.”

As of Wednesday, September 20, 2023

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Anya James, president of the Bahamas Football Association.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#SHE’S been in office for four months but, for Anya James, it’s an honour to be serving as the first female president of the Bahamas Football Association.

#Although it’s widely considered a “male-dominated sport,” James is not operating in her first rodeo. She previously served as the executive vice president for the past eight years under the presidency of Anton Sealey.

#But now at the helm since elected on May 16, James said she has some plans to grow the sport from the grassroots level to the women’s game throughout the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

#“We’ve targeted Grand Bahama because Grand Bahama has a very strong youth women’s programme and I think they have a few players coming in from Grand Bahama to play on our women’s national team,” James said.

#“We are looking at improving and expanding the women’s programme in Grand Bahama, we are looking at expanding in Abaco, Exuma and Eleuthera for starters. We plan to get more players in and also now that we have our senior women’s national team playing, we have some of the older players and senior players interested in coming back.”

#Through the support of the Ministry of Education, Science and Tecnology, James said they are looking at enhancing their programme in the schools and they have already shipped equipment to Cat Island, Inagua and a few other islands so that they can start and sustain their programmes.

#“But we want to start with those four islands that I mentioned earlier with those because we know we have people on the ground who can sustain the programmes,” she stated. “We don’t just want to introduce the programme, but we want to make sure they are sustainable as well.”

#Funding, according to James, won’t be an issue for the BFA.

#“For some of the programmes, we will get some assistance from the FIFA Foundation and FIFA also has a programme called Football for Schools, so that’s one of the avenues that we are to use to introduce football to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.”

#In an era where more women are coming to the forefront in sporting organisations on the global stage, James said she has embraced her opportunity at the national level.

#“I didn’t think that being president of the BFA was attainable at some point because football is still a man’s world,” James said.

#“But I was actually encouraged by my late father, my husband and my sons, so I actually had men encouraging me to step forward.

#“Being involved in the administration of football over the past eight years, why not.”

#But, at the same time, it’s always good to be the first to break the glass ceiling.

#“As women we bring a different perspective to the table. We’re not here to take over, but we’re here to sit at the table and add value,” James stated.

#“So it’s exciting and I’m encouraging other women to step forward because I know there are a few other women who are capable of leading, so I’m the first female, but I definitely won’t be the last female.”

#And while she will be the trailblazer, James said she’s encouraged to have another female in Daria Adderley serving on the board as well as the council member responsible for the women’s programme.

#“Most people will know that soccer is her life,” James said. “She’s contributed a lot to the sport, so it’s exciting and I will be encouraging a lot more women to get involved in all aspects of football.”

#As for her tenure in office so far, James admitted that it’s been busy. “I’m going to stay focused on the plans that we have. I have an excellent combination of council members, a few that have served previously and a few new members,” James said.

#“They have brought a lot of new ideas and a lot of new ideas to execute our plans, so it’s exciting.”

#Before her four-year term is done, James said she intends to get more people involved in the sport.

#“Football is the world’s favourite sport, so we plan on taking over,” she said. “It might not be the favourite sport in The Bahamas, but that’s part of my plan. That is going to change soon.”

#One of the changes will be the return of some of the former players as they participate in the formation of a senior women’s league that is high on the agenda for James.

Player Rachel Rolle, coach Ricqea Bain, Minister of Sports official Adam Miller, BFA president Anya James, player Melina McClure and BFA Technical Director Bruce Swan pose from left to right.

As of Tuesday, September 19, 2023

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Anya James, president of the Bahamas Football Association.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#For the first time in about three decades, the Bahamas senior women’s national soccer team will get a chance to compete on the international stage just like their male counterparts.

#With Anya James as the first woman serving at the helm as president as well, the Bahamas Football Association announced the CONCACAF Women’s Road to Gold Cup.

#The journey for the women will begin on Wednesday when they host Grenada at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium beginning at 7pm before they head to Grenada to play on Sunday at 4pm.

#Playing out of League C and Group C, the Bahamas will only have to play one other team, the US Virgin Islands, whom they will travel to play in October and host here in November, according to the BFA’s technical director Bruce Swan.

#“It has been a struggle over the years since most of our players, after finishing high school, would have moved on to university and colleges,” Swan said.

#“It’s important for the growth of women from the Bahamas to play the game beyond university and the decision was taken to enter into the women’s Gold Cup.”

#The winner of their Group will advance to play the winner of Group B to determine who will move on. Only one team will advance from the Group to the Gold Cup.

#In their quest to advance, the BFA named the following players to the team: Raynia Russell and Melina McClure (goalkeepers), Diane Maillis, Brianna Capron, Tyra McKenzie, Samina Moss, Edissa Bain, Dalexis Huyler, Angel Williams, Liah Rae Tucker, Jada Thelamour, Demitra McClure, Kyrah Miller, Janeka Edey, Giselle Laing, Jodei Clarke, Karen Wert, Rachel Rolle, Megan Wood, Valtrinique Simmons, Taleah Thompson, Hadassah Knowles and Kaitlyn Rolle.

#As a backdrop with the slogan: “Women, who win,” James said she’s delighted to be in the role during a monumental stage as they mark a new chapter in women’s soccer in the country as it embodies a spirit, resilience and determination.

#“Our team, which stands as a beacon of hope, talent and perseverance, resonates perfectly with our mantra women, who win and indeed every stride that they take on the field, every goal they aim for and every challenge they overcome, they do so as winners.

#“However, this moment is not just about participating. It’s about showing the tenacity, talent and spirit of Bahamian women. It’s about breaking barriers, setting benchmarks and inspiring the next generation to dream even bigger.”

#James expressed her gratitude who have all been a part of the women’s journey, including the players, coaching staff and unsung heroes behind the scenes, they have arrived, and they wish that their fans will rally around and provide the support needed for the women’s team to win.

#Head coach Ricqea Bain said the team’s dedication and energy resonates with their slogan and they have to go out on Wednesday and accomplish their goal of winning.

#Bain, a former coach of the junior national team, said they will field a team that includes seven high school players two of whom are based in the United States, along with a core group between the ages of 20-23 and two players ranging in 28-29.

#“It was easy to get them together because locally we play on one league, so we were already messed together and it was just a matter of bringing everyone together to play at the same time,” Bain said.

#In reference to playing at home, Bain said she’s elated.

#“We’ve been doing this for a while, but we keep stopping at the Youth 17 age, so it’s awesome for us to be home to celebrate that we are going to play our first game at home and win at home.”

#With the team assembled, Bain said she’s confident that they can beat Grenada and will make everybody home proud of their accomplishments.

#“This is just the beginning of our journey, so there’s no pressure to go out there and win,” Bain said. “We know what we can do and what we won’t do in the next couple of months because this is a competition that is here to stay.”

#Two of the players on the team, returning home from college, were Melina McClure and Rachel Rolle.

#McClure, a 19-year-old goalkeeper, said they are electrified to be in this position to represent the country. She noted that they have been training really hard and they a game plan that they hope to execute as they forge ahead to success.

#The University of Colorada, Colorado Springs sophomore noted that she’s excited about playing at home.

#“So many people dream of this happening to them and to have this kind of impact on everyone, especially for future generation of players, so I think we’re all ecstatic,” she said.

#On the team selection, McClure said they couldn’t have put together such a line-up.

#“I see the improvement, even just over the last few months,” she pointed out. “I think we are strong. I see our game plan that we have, and I think we can make it pretty far personally. I have very high hopes.”

#And Rolle, 20, said while there are no words to describe their participation in the games, they are prepared to put their best foot forward literally and fugitively as they do their best and play their game.

#“I’m extremely excited to be back at home,” said Rolle, a sophomore at Allen University in Colombia, South Carolina. “Not only excited, but I’m also honored to come back to play for my team, to showcase our talent as a group and to show our country what we can do as a team.”

#On the team selected, Rolle, who played on the national team for four years, said she’s confident in everyone’s ability as they go out and dominate their group.

#Adam Miller, a Sports Officer at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, said they fully support the women’s national team in their journey through the Gold Cup.

#“It’s really important to have this national team being able to compete at home,” he said. “It provides people an opportunity to see women’s football and the potential and growth that it has over the years and the future for the sport.

#“One of the mandates for the ministry is about growing the game for all and I think having a women’s national team being able to compete at an international level is vital for that vision. So, it’s really good to see that the Bahamas Football Association is setting a mandate again and setting a standard for women’s international representation.”

#Entry fee for the game on Wednesday is $20 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 13.

#The women’s team follows on the heels of the men’s national team, which has already started playing in the CONCACAF Nations League. Playing out of League B and Group D, the Bahamas lost 6-1 to Puerto Rico on September 6 and 3-2 to Guyana on September 12 in their first two games played.

BAHAMAS LADIES ON ‘ROAD TO CUP’: Women’s national soccer team to host Grenada tomorrow

Player Rachel Rolle, coach Ricqea Bain, Minister of Sports official Adam Miller, BFA president Anya James, player Melina McClure and BFA Technical Director Bruce Swan pose from left to right.

As of Tuesday, September 19, 2023

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Anya James, president of the Bahamas Football Association.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#For the first time in about three decades, the Bahamas senior women’s national soccer team will get a chance to compete on the international stage just like their male counterparts.

#With Anya James as the first woman serving at the helm as president as well, the Bahamas Football Association announced the CONCACAF Women’s Road to Gold Cup.

#The journey for the women will begin on Wednesday when they host Grenada at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium beginning at 7pm before they head to Grenada to play on Sunday at 4pm.

#Playing out of League C and Group C, the Bahamas will only have to play one other team, the US Virgin Islands, whom they will travel to play in October and host here in November, according to the BFA’s technical director Bruce Swan.

#“It has been a struggle over the years since most of our players, after finishing high school, would have moved on to university and colleges,” Swan said.

#“It’s important for the growth of women from the Bahamas to play the game beyond university and the decision was taken to enter into the women’s Gold Cup.”

#The winner of their Group will advance to play the winner of Group B to determine who will move on. Only one team will advance from the Group to the Gold Cup.

#In their quest to advance, the BFA named the following players to the team: Raynia Russell and Melina McClure (goalkeepers), Diane Maillis, Brianna Capron, Tyra McKenzie, Samina Moss, Edissa Bain, Dalexis Huyler, Angel Williams, Liah Rae Tucker, Jada Thelamour, Demitra McClure, Kyrah Miller, Janeka Edey, Giselle Laing, Jodei Clarke, Karen Wert, Rachel Rolle, Megan Wood, Valtrinique Simmons, Taleah Thompson, Hadassah Knowles and Kaitlyn Rolle.

#As a backdrop with the slogan: “Women, who win,” James said she’s delighted to be in the role during a monumental stage as they mark a new chapter in women’s soccer in the country as it embodies a spirit, resilience and determination.

#“Our team, which stands as a beacon of hope, talent and perseverance, resonates perfectly with our mantra women, who win and indeed every stride that they take on the field, every goal they aim for and every challenge they overcome, they do so as winners.

#“However, this moment is not just about participating. It’s about showing the tenacity, talent and spirit of Bahamian women. It’s about breaking barriers, setting benchmarks and inspiring the next generation to dream even bigger.”

#James expressed her gratitude who have all been a part of the women’s journey, including the players, coaching staff and unsung heroes behind the scenes, they have arrived, and they wish that their fans will rally around and provide the support needed for the women’s team to win.

#Head coach Ricqea Bain said the team’s dedication and energy resonates with their slogan and they have to go out on Wednesday and accomplish their goal of winning.

#Bain, a former coach of the junior national team, said they will field a team that includes seven high school players two of whom are based in the United States, along with a core group between the ages of 20-23 and two players ranging in 28-29.

#“It was easy to get them together because locally we play on one league, so we were already messed together and it was just a matter of bringing everyone together to play at the same time,” Bain said.

#In reference to playing at home, Bain said she’s elated.

#“We’ve been doing this for a while, but we keep stopping at the Youth 17 age, so it’s awesome for us to be home to celebrate that we are going to play our first game at home and win at home.”

#With the team assembled, Bain said she’s confident that they can beat Grenada and will make everybody home proud of their accomplishments.

#“This is just the beginning of our journey, so there’s no pressure to go out there and win,” Bain said. “We know what we can do and what we won’t do in the next couple of months because this is a competition that is here to stay.”

#Two of the players on the team, returning home from college, were Melina McClure and Rachel Rolle.

#McClure, a 19-year-old goalkeeper, said they are electrified to be in this position to represent the country. She noted that they have been training really hard and they a game plan that they hope to execute as they forge ahead to success.

#The University of Colorada, Colorado Springs sophomore noted that she’s excited about playing at home.

#“So many people dream of this happening to them and to have this kind of impact on everyone, especially for future generation of players, so I think we’re all ecstatic,” she said.

#On the team selection, McClure said they couldn’t have put together such a line-up.

#“I see the improvement, even just over the last few months,” she pointed out. “I think we are strong. I see our game plan that we have, and I think we can make it pretty far personally. I have very high hopes.”

#And Rolle, 20, said while there are no words to describe their participation in the games, they are prepared to put their best foot forward literally and fugitively as they do their best and play their game.

#“I’m extremely excited to be back at home,” said Rolle, a sophomore at Allen University in Colombia, South Carolina. “Not only excited, but I’m also honored to come back to play for my team, to showcase our talent as a group and to show our country what we can do as a team.”

#On the team selected, Rolle, who played on the national team for four years, said she’s confident in everyone’s ability as they go out and dominate their group.

#Adam Miller, a Sports Officer at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, said they fully support the women’s national team in their journey through the Gold Cup.

#“It’s really important to have this national team being able to compete at home,” he said. “It provides people an opportunity to see women’s football and the potential and growth that it has over the years and the future for the sport.

#“One of the mandates for the ministry is about growing the game for all and I think having a women’s national team being able to compete at an international level is vital for that vision. So, it’s really good to see that the Bahamas Football Association is setting a mandate again and setting a standard for women’s international representation.”

#Entry fee for the game on Wednesday is $20 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 13.

#The women’s team follows on the heels of the men’s national team, which has already started playing in the CONCACAF Nations League. Playing out of League B and Group D, the Bahamas lost 6-1 to Puerto Rico on September 6 and 3-2 to Guyana on September 12 in their first two games played.

As of Tuesday, September 19, 2023

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From left are coach Augusto Sabbatini, Aidan Knowles, Xavier Cooper, Tre Moncur, Nrosnan D’Arville, Joshua Adderley and coach Kurkwood Greene Sr.

Sisters Sheniah and Sternesha Pratt with coaches Augusto Sabbatini and Kurkwood Greene Sr.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER an intense month of training sessions that was completed on Saturday, the Bahamas Volleyball Federation feels it is better equipped to move forward with a vibrant beach volleyball programme.

#The BVF hosted a weekly training session at the Bahamas Football Association’s Beach Soccer facilities at the foot of the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge. The sessions were conducted by visiting coach Augusto Sabbatini and local coach Kurkwood Greene.

#Sabbatini, a Brazilian coach with 31 years of experience, spent the past three months in the Bahamas working with the men’s and women’s national volleyball teams before they participated in the NORCECA Tournament in Suriname in August before he concluded his trip with beach soccer.

#The emphasis for the beach soccer training sessions was to prepare the youth, junior and under-23 players to participate in a series of international tournaments next year.

#A total of 29 players, including 14 females and 15 males between the ages of 14-21, participated in the training sessions, which were conducted on Saturday mornings.

#Greene, the vice president of the BVF, said they contacted FIVA, the governing body for volleyball, for assistance with their training programme and they sent Sabbatini.

#“The concept with the beach volleyball programme was to concentrate on the junior players,” Greene said. “So we put out a call for young people between the ages of 12 and 21 because we have several teams to field for international tournaments next year.

#“The beach training also give us an idea who can also play volleyball indoors. But with beach volleyball, there’s less people to play on a team and while we have a few players on the senior circuit, we want to get our junior programme going. It’s a lot more fun to play, but we hope that we can sustain this programme at least once a week on Saturday to put the resources in place.”

#Sabbatini, who will leave town today for St Lucia for one year for another programme, said he was glad to implement the training programme for beach volleyball and he hope that the BVF will continue it.

#“Most of the time when I leave, the programme stops, but you have some very good players and they need the programme to continue so that they can develop,” Sabbatini said. “There are a lot of technical aspects of the game that they have to work on.”

#Sabbatini said he enjoyed his experience here in the Bahamas, especially with the facilities at the Beach Soccer complex. He said the Bahamas also have some excellent players who can excel in the sport.

#Pratt sisters Sternesha Pratt, 16, and Sterniah, 14, both students of Leadership Academy and Andiel Bowleg, a 16-year-old student of Aquinas College, were among some of the female players who indicated that they enjoyed the experience.

#As an aspiring actress who speaks Spanish fluently, and participates in ballot, gymnastics and hip hop, Sternesha said she’s excited to branch out into another sport.

#“I am very tired, and I can’t wait to go into my mother’s car to drink some water and when I go home, I am going to go to sleep,” said Sternesha, in a Spanish translation.

#The 12th grader said as a former track athlete who also played the panio, said she was aways interested in learning something new and when the opportunity presented itself, she decided to test her skills in beach volleyball.

#“Before I came here, I thought I was good in volleyball, but when the coaches took us through the training sessions, they really humbled me,” she said. “On my first day here, I barely could pass the ball back to the coach.

#“But after coming here for the past month, I really improved. Now I am able to pass the ball back to the coach and I can hear ‘good job Sternesha’ from the coach. I was able to pass the ball to my team-mates. I really learn how to be consistent.”

#Her younger sister, Sterniah Pratt, who is now in the tenth grade, said she decided to come out because when she started playing four years ago, she enjoyed it.

#“It’s been good, but it’s been tiring playing in the sand,” she said. “The first time I got here, I thought I was good, but as I started to practice, I realized that I got better.”

#She noted that as long as she stays focused and concentrate more on her serving, she will eventually get better.

#Bowleg, a native from Andros, came to the camp with the hopes of improving her game since she started playing from grade ten. She’s now in grade 12 and she hope that what she was taught will enable her to become a better player.

#“Out here is very hot and you get tired running in the sand,” Bowleg said. “I have to work more on my overhand serving. But I’m looking forward to playing at the national level.”

#For his attendance in just about every training session, Leroy Tre Moncur, a 16-year-old 11th grader of St Andrew’s School, got a special gift from coaches Sabbatini and Greene.

#Moncur, who started playing volleyball in the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools, said as the captain of the Hurricanes’ senior boys’ team, when his coach Rachel Knowles told him about the programme, he decided to come out and participate.

#“It’s been an excellent experience. I learnt a lot in and off the court,” Moncur said. “Coach Sabbatini and Greene have both been excellent volleyball mentors in how to play volleyball.

#“Beach has overall been a different experience and it has allowed me to improve my game, digging, receiving, spiking, everything on the court.”