FORMER triple jumper turned coach Peter Pratt (white shirt) is flanked by family members, friends and members of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), including president, Drumeco Archer. Pratt was presented with a plaque at Christ Community Church with the “First Among Men’’ award.

As of Tuesday, June 27, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

Elder Stephen Lindsay, Pastor for Men’s Ministry Deacon Bertram Cartwright, Director of Men’s Ministry, Peter Pratt, honoured as first Bahamian CARIFTA medallist in 1973, as a nation builder by Christ Community Church, Elder Elvin Taylor, Lead Associate Pastor, (from left to right)

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#While he had hoped to be honoured during the hosting of the 50th anniversary of the CARIFTA Games for being the first Bahamian to win a medal, former triple jumper turned coach Peter Pratt said he was glad that his church gave him the recognition.

#With his family and members of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, headed by president Drumeco Archer, Pratt was presented with a plaque at Christ Community Church with the “First Among Men’’ award.

#The presentation was done by a trio of men of the church, including Elder Stephen Lindsay, pastor of the men’s ministry, Deacon Bertram Cartwright, the director of the men’s ministry and Elder Elvin Taylor, lead associate pastor.Also in attendance were Harrison Petty, the founder of the Parents Association of Track and Field Athletes, which assists athletes in getting off to college, triple jumper turned coach Antonio Saunders, a protégé of Pratt and Foster Dorsett, the first vice president of the BAAA.

#“Church is different from the country. The church did what it is supposed to do,” Pratt said.

#“I’m alright with what the church did. I felt I would get it in other places if the country doesn’t do it.”

#In 1973 in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, Pratt became the first Bahamian to win a medal at the CARIFTA Games, securing the bronze in the men’s triple jump.

#Pratt, a versatile soccer, volleyball, basketball and track and field athlete, attended Mankato State where he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame twice.

#He was an NCAA champion, a three-time All-American and was a 15-time winner of the North Central Conference champion from 1973-1977.

#“I feel good about what I have achieved. A lot of people have recognised me internationally for what I did both locally and internationally,” Pratt stated.

#“I remember when I was in Korea with the Asian Games, the people put me up on the screen and said where I came from. More than half a billion people watched it. That was a plus for me because I know it could never happen in the Bahamas.”

#There’s a saying that a “prophet is not received in his own home” and Pratt, in agreeing to the term, said if he was recognised in the Bahamas for his achievement, then he would no longer be a prophet.

#“I still remain a prophet in my country,” he said. “If something happened, then I would no longer be a prophet.”

#Now that he’s officially retired, Pratt, who started coaching in 1972 when he began teaching at Highbury High, now RM Bailey Secondary High, said he’s looking at embarking on a new venture.

#“I’m helping some young adults to better their craft as jumpers,” said Pratt, who also works along with Petty with the Parents Association. “I’m just relaxing and enjoying the little bit of fruit that I get for my labour.”

#The 68-year-old Pratt, known as the ‘Jumps Coach Specialist,’ has also worked with the Bahamas Association for the Physically Handicapped and Special Olympics Bahamas,

#As a Level V International Amateur Athletic Association’s certified coach, Pratt has conducted a series of coaches’ education lecturing coaches and clinics for the United States of America Track and Field (USATF) and the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) regions.

#Pratt said he just hopes that other persons who feel they have not been recognised for their accomplishments will not hold any grudges against the powers that be in the country. Instead, he said he hopes they will take it with a grain of salt and wait until their names are called.

#Pratt is married to Mona Pratt and the father of four, Brent Moore (Thiombe) in Dallas, Texas, Rio Pratt (Jennifer) in North Carolina, Kirby Pratt-Thompson in Tampa, Florida and Jamieson Pratt (Chanel), who is in Nassau following in his footsteps as a coach.

Tickets, merchandise for Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games on sale

As of Tuesday, June 27, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#WITH just two weeks left before the opening of the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games, tickets and merchandise are now officially on sale.

#The Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games is scheduled to be held from July 7-15 with the opening ceremonies on Saturday, July 8.

#These games will host 14 disciplines and tickets are available online at thebahamasgames.org and in person at the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium.

#Clay G Sweeting, Minister for Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, received the baton on behalf of Eleuthera, home of the Eleuthera Adventurers, as the baton makes its trip from island to island leading up to the opening ceremonies for this 6th Edition Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games.

#The Bahamas Games, established in 1989 under the then Minister of Sports, Minister J Bethell, was the first of five games. The following games occurred in 1991, 1995, 1998 and 2001.

#For this 6th edition of the games, everyone is encouraged to show their national pride by wearing their Bahamian colours during the games or sporting their favourite island team colours or mascots.

#Mario Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, provided an update on the Bahamas Games last Thursday, stating that over 3,000 athletes were registered and ready to participate.

#According to Minister Bowleg, patrons of this year’s Golden Jubilee Games will be former Prime Minister Perry G Christie, a former track and field national athlete, and Beverly Wallace-Whitfield. Chancellors of the games will include Craig Flowers and Dr William Thompson.

#Bowleg thanked all the staff of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Bahamas Games Secretariat, the sporting federations, executives, volunteers, and both Bahamasair and Western Air, who will be providing air transportation for all of the athletes and officials from across The Bahamas for their continued patronage and support.

#Presently more than 600 volunteers have signed up to assist with the successful execution of the Games.

#According to Bowleg, the Bahamas Games Secretariat and Independence Celebration Secretariat are working together to ensure that there will be no conflict with the events and activities scheduled for our 50th Golden Jubilee Celebrations.\

#All morning sessions beginning at 9 am will be free to all attendees, with the evening sessions starting at 3 pm, and relevant packages are available for purchase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs National Gymnasium along with merchandise.

#Bahamians are encouraged to support their team of choice and come out and support the upcoming Games.

#The ten teams forming the individual islands or grouping of islands include:

#· Abaco Survivors

#· Andros Chiccharnies

#· Bimini and Berry Islands Marlins

#· Columbus Isles Arawaks (Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador)

#· Eleuthera Adventurers

#· Exuma & Ragged Island Navigators

#· Grand Bahama Lucayans

#· Long Island Sheep Runners

#· MICAL Flamingoes (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay)

#· New Providence Buccaneers

#The upcoming games reflect our national theme for our 50th anniversary of Independence, one of unity and progression as one people, as stated in the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games’ slogan, “Our Nation, Our Islands, Our Games.”

#The excitement for Bahamas Games 2023 is building, and everyone can participate and learn more about the Games by going to the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games website: thebahamasgames.org or following, liking and subscribing on social media for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @thebahamagames or TikTok and YouTube @thebahamasgames.

#Every Tuesday at 6 pm, the public is encouraged to tune into the “Hype Tuesday” show streamed live on the Bahamas Games’ Facebook and YouTube Channels to represent their island and team and show their support for who they feel will win the upcoming Games.

#For more information on how to participate in the games or general information on the Games, persons can call (242) 322-1029/69 or email info@thebahamasgames.org or bahamasgamessecretariat@gmail.com.

YOUNG baseball players in action over the weekend at Bahamas Baseball Association’s G-Ball National Baseball Championships. Photo: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff

As of Tuesday, June 27, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#BAHAMAS Baseball Association secretary general Theodore ‘Teddy’ Sweeting said the G-Ball National Baseball Championships was termed a success over the weekend.

#The BBA hosted the four-day event with games for the younger age groups played at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex and the older groups in the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.

#The event came to a close on Sunday with the crowning of three champions from Freedom Farm, two from the Junior Baseball League of Nassau and the other from the Grand Bahama Baseball League.

#“This year’s nationals had everything involved in it.

#“It had excitement, challenges with the weather with our fields and some keenly contested games,” Sweeting said.

#Despite the fact that they had some challenges getting one or two of the four fields at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex in playable conditions after the rain subsided, Sweeting said they managed to get all of the games completed in time for the teams, who had to travel on Sunday.

#“We want to commend all of our partners who came on board and assisted us in making all of our obligations.

#“And I want to thank Clarence McKenzie and Shane Albury, who served as the tournament directors, and they made sure that everything came off.”

#With the 16-and-under and 20-and-under divisions playing in the new stadium, Sweeting said it was a joy to watch as many of the players got their first taste of the artificial turf and they did a tremendous job as they participated.

#“IT was also good to see how the players were able to interact with each other with their peers, so it was a very successful nationals for us. We had about 32 teams competing in six different age brackets. That’s the most teams we’ve had in the nationals for quite some time.”

#Sweetiing said the BBA, headed by Sam Rodgers, will now sit down and critique the entire episodes and try to work out how best they can move forward in taking the nationals to a high standard for both the players and the spectators to enjoy in the future.

#“We met our goals. I think that was the most exciting thing for us,” he pointed out. “So we look forward to preparing for a lot of things to come this year and the next nationals when we go back to Grand Bahama.”

#Grand Bahama, according to Sweeting is now the home of the nationals nd they only decided to stage this year’s event here, because of the completion of the new stadium.

#It was the second straight year that the tournament was back in New Providence after being hosted here last year, coming out of the Covid-29 pandemic.

#But Sweeting said the executive board have already agreed that they will continue to host the nationals in Grand Bahama where the Grand Bahama baseball community has received them with open arms.

#“We want to move it around and give the two maj0or islands the benefit of hosting the nationals,” Sweeting said. “Ther logistics in Grand Bahama are so easy for us when we host it there and so we just want to share the wealth over there.”

#While they prepare for the nationals next year, Sweeting revealed that the BBA has partnered with Perfect Game and they will be coming to the Bahamas to host an event here this year.

#Additionally, the BBA is preparing for the hosting of the 18-and-under Youth Caribbean Baseball Cup in December and the senior men’s national team will travel to Puerto Rico to compete in the Caribbean Baseball Cup that was staged at the new stadium in December.

#“We just got some exciting news from our governing body as we move forward going into 2024, there is an opportunity for the country to host the COCABA Pan American Games qualifier.

#“There’s a lot of excitement as the doors start to swing open at the new stadium,” Sweeting stated. “There’s a lot 5hat we discussed with the college coaches who were here for our nationals.

#“We will be looking at setting up a college summer baseball program, similar to what they do in the United States where the players, once they have finished their college season, look for programs that will help them to improve their game.”

#Over the next year or two, Sweeting said they are now in consultation with the college coaches to get the program up in running in the Bahamas as they utilize what many consider to be one of the finer baseball facilities in the area.

#“We want to continue to grow this game,” Sweeting said. “This is an exciting time for baseball and so we want everybody to stay tuned and come out and support the events as they unfold.”

#He noted that while only half of the players who play the sport globally get to make it to the show or Major LEague Baseball. For those that don’t, Sweeting said they want to provide an avenue where they can continue to hone their game,

#“The most important thing for our young men is to get that college experience and eventually earn their degree,” he said. “Then if they decide to go professional, to God be the glory.

#“But we have to stress to the parents of these kids that while it’s good to go pro, they can be released if they don’t make the cut and so if they get an education to fall on, they can better strive in life.”

#Not taking anything about going pro because a lot of guys get drafted or sign pro contracts, but when they are released, Sweeting stressed that they need to have something to fall back on and that is why getting an education is so important for these players and their future.

#Sweeting congratulated all of the winners of the nationals. He noted that it was one of the most competitive with some level of parity with the various organizations winning the titles.

#Freedom Farm captured the 8-and-under and the 10-and-under. Grand Bahamas won the 12-and-under, the JBLN took the 14-and-under, while Freedom Farm emerged as the 16-and-under champions and JBLN added the 20-and-under crown to their ledger.

As of Monday, June 26, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#In one of the most dramatic comebacks at this year’s Bahamas Baseball Association’s G-Ball National Baseball Championships, the Junior Baseball League of Nassau stunned Freedom Farm to clinch the 14-and-under divisional title.

#Down 6-0 in the top of the fourth inning with a change in umpires, the JBLN rallied to tie the score at 6-6 and 7-7 before they held on for an 11-10 victory yesterday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#Jordan Miller, who played on the infield and ended up on the mound for the save, finished with a 2-for-4 day at the plate with a run batted in and two runs scored as he earned the Most Valuable Player award.

#“We knew we could beat this team. They beat us yesterday (Saturday), but it was by errors, so we knew once we cut down the errors, this team could not beat us,” said JBLN manager Ken Adderley.

#“They were trying to tell us that this nationals is Freedom Farm, but we wanted to tell them it is not so. I used to win the 13-14 division all the time. If they want to name the nationals the Freedom Farm League, then they need to name the 13-14 the Ken Adderley League.”

#Alfred Smith and Anthony Cleare were also 2-for-4 with a run scored and Treveil Roberts was 1-for-2 with two runs scored to help out in the win.

#In a losing effort, Ethan North went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored.

#While the younger age groups played their games at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, the 16-and-under and 20-and-under played at the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.

#JBLN also got a big game from their 20-and-under team as they brought the curtain down on the four days of competition with a 7-1 win over Freedom Farm under the lights at the stadium.

#Isaacs Fox was a perfect 2-for-2 with a RBI and two runs scored, Joel Miller was 1-for-2 with two runs scored and Norman Bastian was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

#Roberto Lamour scored the lone run for Freedom Farm, who got a 1-for-3 night with a RBI from Frankie Moree. Rivon Saunders was also 1-for-3.

#And in the under-16 division, Freedom Farm roughed up Grand Bahama’s Legacy with an 11-2 rout as Earvin Darville was a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.

#Ladanian McKenzie was 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored and Tajahari Wilson was 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored for Legacy.

#In the 12-and-under division, the Grand Bahama Little League pounded JBLN 11-4 with pitcher Malique Israel helping his own cause for the MVP honours with a 2-for-3 day with two RBI and a run scored,.

#“This team is a great team. They put in the work at least four days a week and they do everything necessary to win,” said GBLL manager Donovan Cox. “We came into the tournament very confident that we would win. We came here with about five or six big arms. I knew that we could go one through 14 and we could get the pitching. I could have started any of the guys and I knew we could win it. This is the first time that we’ve won the divisional title for a long time. Hopefully this is the start of something new for us.”

#Jeremiah Filterman and Kymari Rolle both were 1-for-3 with a run scored apiece to pace the losers.

#The 10-and-under division saw Freedom Farm prevail with a 12-0 whitewashing of Legacy.

#Xavier Petit was a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBI and a pair of runs scored and Isaacs Richardson was 1-for-3 with a RBI and two runs score. Aidon Williams went 1-for-2 in the loss.

#• Here’s a look at the results of games played during the tournament:

#Under-8 Coach Pitch

#division

#Preliminary games played – Freedom Farm def. Grand Bahama Little League 10-0; JBLN def. Legacy Baseball League 10-0; Freedom Farm def. Legacy Baseball League 16-0; JBLN def. Grand Bahama Little League 10-3; Grand Bahama def. Legacy Little League 12-2; Freedom Farm def. JBLN 5-2 and Freedom Farm def. Legacy Baseball League 18-2.

#10-and-under

#Preliminary games played – JBLN def. Grand Bahama Little League 4-2; Legacy Baseball League def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 10-0; Freedom Farm def. Grand Bahama Little League 9-2 Legacy Baseball League def. JBLN 8-3; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 10-0; Grand Bahama Little League def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 10-0; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Legacy Baseball League 4-3; JBLN def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 16-1; Grand Bahama Little League and Legacy Baseball League played to 2-2 tie; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. JBLN 5-3;

#12-and-under Division

#Preliminary games played – Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Big Nige Baseball Club 11-1; JBLN def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 22-0; Grand Bahama Little League def. Community Baseball League 14-3; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Abaco Baseball League 16-2; Community Baseball League def. Big Nige Baseball Club 5-2; Grand Bahama Little League def. JBLN 4-1; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Community Baseball League 25-4; JBLN def. Big Nige Baseball Club 18-1; Grand Bahama Little League def. Freedom Farm Baseball League 9-3; JBLN def. Community Baseball League 4-0; Grand Bahama Baseball League def, Big Nge Baseball League 16-1.

#14-and-under

#Preliminary games played – JBLN def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 13-0; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Long Island Baseball League 17-0; Grand Bahama Baseball League def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 3-0; Freedom Farm Baseball def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 26-0; JBLN def Grand Bahama Baseball League 15-6; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Abaco Baseball League 14-0; Grand Bahama Little League def. Long Island Baseball Association 15-1; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Junior Baseball League of Nassau 5-4; Grand Bahama Little League def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 6-1; JBLN def. Long Island Baseball League 19-5; Abaco Youth Baseball League def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 11-4;

#16-and-under Division

#Preliminary games played – Legacy def. JBLN 3-2; Freedom Farm def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 8-1; Ed Armbrister Baseball League def. Big Nige Baseball Club 19-2; JBLN def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 14-1; Legacy Baseball League def. Big Nige Baseball Club 7-1; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 10-0; Legacy Baseball League def. Abaco Youth Baseball League 14-5; JBLN def. Big Nige Baseball Club 13-0; Freedom Farm Baseball League def. Legacy Baseball League 8-1; JBLN def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 15-1; Big Nige Baseball Club and Legacy Baseball League played to 4-4 tie; Legacy Baseball League def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 5-1; Abaco Youth Baseball League def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 7-0; Freedom Farm def. JBLN 7-2.

#20-and-under senior league

#Preliminary games played – Freedom Farm def. JBLN 2-1; Ed Armbrister Baseball League def. Freedom Farm Baseball League 5-3; JBLN def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 2-1; Ed Armbrister Baseball League def. Freedom Farm Baseball League 8-0; JBLN def. Ed Armbrister Baseball League 1-0; Freedom Farm Baseball League def, JBLN 5-1.

As of Monday, June 26, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

Donald Thomas

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#GRAND Bahamian Donald Thomas is starting to round himself into shape as he looks forward to making another trip for the Bahamas to the season’s premier event at the World Championships.

#Thomas, who just missed attaining the qualifying standard of 2.32 metres for the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, soared a season’s best of 7-5 1/3 (2.27m) to win the men’s high jump at the USATA NYC Grand Prix.

#The meet held on Saturday at the Ichan Stadium in New York also saw another Bahamian compete in the same event with Shaun Miller Jr coming in tied for fifth with American Darrlly Sullivan Jr at 6-11 (2.11m).

#Miller Jr, the younger brother of Olympic and world champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo, was coming off his NCAA Championship appearance in Austin, Texas, over the weekend of June 7-10 where he represented Ohio State with a tie with four others at 7-1 (2.16m).

#Both Thomas and Miller Jr are expected to highlight the men’s high jump competition at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Championships, scheduled for July 5-7 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium before they compete in the sixth Bahamas Games, set for July 6-14. “I felt good. Grateful for the win,” Thomas said. “Was expecting to jump higher. Should be a good result at nationals.”

#Thomas, 38, is the reigning two-time defending champion of the nationals. He has won numerous titles for the Bahamas, including the World Championships in 2007 in Osaka, Japan.

#Miller Jr, 21, is the current North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Under-23 Championship champion, having won the title in 2021 in San Juan, Costa Rica.

#While the duo were going head-to-head in New York, another Bahamian, Shaleem Hall-Smith took his talent to Canada where he participated in a pair of meets in the men’s 400m hurdles.

#Hall-Smith, 26, placed third in the 10 flights of hurdles over the 400m in 49.75 on Saturday at the Johnny Loaring Classic, formerly known as the Windsor Open at the University of Wondsor’s Alumni Stadium.

#The performanced came three days after he posted a second place finish in a lifetime best of 49.69 at the Royal City Inferno Track & Field Festival at the Alumni Stadium in Guelph behind Jamaica’s Roxroy Cato, who won in 49.55.

#Hall-Smith, a third place finisher at the NACAC Championships last year in Grand Bahama, is chasing 48.70 in order to qualify for his first World Championships. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is the new kid on the block in the event as the two-time defending national champion.

As of Monday, June 26, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

LEFT: Carl Hield and his trainer Luisbey Fernando Sanchez. RIGHT: Rashield Williams celebrates beside one of the ring girls. (File photos)

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AS the XXIV Central American and Caribbean Games got underway over the weekend in San Salvador, El Salvador, there were mixed results from the two-man boxing team.

#The four-yearly games are being staged this year from June 23 to July 8 and the two boxers veteran Carl Hield and professional Rashield Williams got the ball rolling for Team Bahamas.

#Hield, fighting in the medium light or 71 kilogram class, suffered a 5-0 decision to Jhonatan Arboleda of Colombia in the first boxing match for Team Bahamas.

#Hield, 36, just recently represented the Bahamas at the International Boxing Association’s (IBS) World Boxing Championship in Humo Arena in Tashkent, Uzbekistan where he lost a unanimous decision to Boniface Mogunde of Kenya.

#Meanwhile, Williams, who was also scheduled to fight in Uzbekistan, but didn’t make the trip, was successful in his opening match in the men’s 63.5 kg class.

#Williams, 33, easily won 4-1 over Doneel Phillip of Trinidad & Tobago. He fought his second match yesterday, but lost on points to Alvarez Erislandy of Cuba. “I just lost from Cuba on points. He did a good job running, trying not to get hit but unfortunately I lost on points but it was a great fight,” Williams said. “It was difficult to catch but I’m proud of my performance. I did great, especially coming off a pro fight on Saturday and making the weight to fight back to back. I enjoyed every bit of it and the guy from Trinidad came out to fight but unfortunately he couldn’t keep up with the boxing lesson I was putting on him.”

#Despite bowing out in the second round, Willoams said it was a great experience and he gave God all the thanks for making this happen. He also expressed his thanks to the Bahamas Boxing federation and the Bahamas Olympic Committe for afforfing him the oppryunity to be able to represent the country at the games.

#Williams is coming off his second pro victory for the year, having won over Ramon De La Cruz on June 27 after his decision over Walter Raul Saravia on March 28, both at the Alessi Gym Fitness Center in Tampa, Florida.

#The Bahamas, led by chef de mission, also include swimming, judo, athletics, water polo and beach soccer. The full list of players named to Team Bahamas has not been released.

Bahamas Davis Cup team, shown from left to right, are captain Marvin Rolle, Denali Nottage, Donte Armbrister and Kevin Major Jr.

As of Monday, June 26, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia,.net

#THEY were not the results that they wanted, but veteran player/captain Marvin Rolle said it was better than being relegated from American Zone III to zone IV (four) in the Davis Cup competition.

#In their relegation playoff match against Panama, Team Bahamas prevailed with a 2-0 sweep over Panama on Saturday at the National Tennis Center in Asuncion, Paraguay to remain in Zone III for 2024.

#Grand Bahamian Denali Nottage, making his debut on the team, secured his second victory in the first match of the day with a 6-1, 6-3 decision over Luis Ching in just 56 minutes.

#And Kevin Major Jr, the team’s top seeded player, pulled off a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Luis Gomez in a little over one hour and 10 minutes to seal the deal for Team Bahamas.

#The doubles match wasn’t contested, although Rolle and Donte Armbrister were all set to go to work against the Panamanian duo of Ching and Chad Valdez as the singles clinched the tie for Team Bahamas. “Denali started off strong. After he easily won the first set, the second set was more challenging.

#“The guy from Panama started to return more balls and made it more competitive,” Rolle said. “Denali was able to hold his own and closed out the match.”

#Rolle noted that he anticipated that Major Jr would have a fight on his hands in the second match.

#“The guy KJ played with was very talented from Panama. He had a big forearm like KJ,” Rolle said.

#“After he won the first set, the second set was on serve. The guys started playing more balls.

#“KJ had to be mentally strong to stay with him. Then finally at 4-4, KJ broke and he was able to close it out.”

#Rolle said they had hoped to be promoted to zone II, but he felt the players all showed their grit and proved that they would not settle with being dropped to zone IV (four).

#“We started off slow, but we finished off strong,” said Rolle of Team Bahamas, who ended up in fourth place in Group B round robin play during the week with a 1-3 win-loss record, winning four of their eight matches played.

#“Donte got his first win as a Davis Cupper. The last time he played, he didn’t win a match,” said Rolle of Armbriater, whom he paired up with in doubles during the tie. “He was able to get two wins this time around.

#“Denali ended up with two wins in singles, so I think that is good for his confidence moving on.

#“KJ had some tough matches all week, but he was able to finish off strong and I am still doing my thing in doubles. We played well in our last two matches.”

#Although they got the job done, Rolle said Team Bahamas will have to be much stronger in terms of player personnel in order to advance out of zone III where the country has played for the past few years.

#“If we can get Justin Roberts back on the team, it would be a plus for us,” said Rolle of Roberts, the top ranked International Tennis Federation player in recent time.

#“Not taking anything away from Donte and Denali, they are learning. But Justin is out there and he’s playing.

#“Although he’s only played one tie for us, his experience would definitely be a plus for us, so we have to figure out a way to get him on the team to help us out.”

#Add a player like Philip Major Jr, who is just as an effective doubles player as himself, Rolle said they can form a formidable team. He said he would also like to see the Newman brothers Spencer and Baker make a comeback to play for the Bahamas again.

#“We definitely have some strong players to play on the team. Nothing against Denali and Donte and the other young players coming up, but we have some more experienced players who understand the game,” Rolle said.

#“We would like to see Donte and Denali get some more college experience and play on the circuit. I think they can be a great asset to the team moving forward as well. But we have some players out there with a lot of experience that we need to get back on the team to help us get out of zone III.”

#The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association, the governing body for the sport, selected the team based on the players’ performances in the year-ending Giorgio Baldacci Invitational in December and other final trials prior to the team’s trip.

#In recent times, the BLTA also looked at the ITF ranking to select players to the team, in the case of Roberts, whose top ranking enabled him to make the team in 2021 where he ended up with a 2-1 record in singles.

As of Monday, June 26, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

PUTTING IN WORK: Bahamian wide receiver Michael Strachan and other National Football League (NFL) professional players teach children basic football fundamentals in year two of the Bahamas All-Pro Camp. Photos: Tenajh Sweeting

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Bahamas All-Pro Football camp hosted its second edition of the youth training at Thomas A Robinson stadium this past Saturday.

#The event saw the youth between the ages of 7-18 train with National Football League (NFL) professional players in a series of different drills designed to show them the basic football fundamentals.

#Among some of the NFL players at the camp were Bahamian wide receiver Michael Strachan, Los Angeles Chargers’ Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and John Hightower, Miami Dolphins Cedrick Wilson Jr and Duke Riley, safety Dayarlo Jamal Swearinger, and the Arizona Cardinals’ Rashad Fenton.

#Alexandra Deal, head of administration for the Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL), said the camp went great for the second year and the kids were loving it.

#“It’s doing great we have a lot of kids that came out which was a little more than we expected which is great. I think they are really enjoying it because some of them already play in the youth flag league so they are seeing different techniques,” Deal said.

#She added that the older kids were loving the All-Pro camp because they got the opportunity to improve some of the skills that they currently have.

#At this year’s camp more than 100 participants were divided between six football training stations. Training included flag pulling, receiving drills, footwork drills, quarterback drills, backpedaling and sprint exercises.

#Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Strachan hosted his own football camp in his hometown, Freeport on June 22.

#It was an inaugural free event that he followed up by attending the Bahamas All-Pro Football camp for the second consecutive year. He said it felt great to be back and train with the youth.

#“It feels great and is a great feeling to see all of these kids out here ready to work and ready to learn and it’s so exciting because that’s what brings me joy and motivation to see the youth, especially having been in their position, it is a blessing,” he said.

#He added that the camp is very beneficial for aspiring football players because they can understand the basic fundamentals of the game, and can be more hands-on as they learn the skills.

#Strachan also said the camp in Grand Bahama went great and it was a blessing to be able to give back and train with the young ones at home.

#With the All-Pro Football camp being in its second year, the camp was filled with many first time participants and also a few returning participants.

#Among the newcomers were Malique Wallace and Liam Lloyd. They both described the camp as very enjoyable.

#“It’s fantastic everyone seems to be focused and I love that there are different age groups, the younger kids are learning at an earlier age and for everyone that doesn’t have the experience, they get to learn the basics,” Wallace said.

#Lloyd said he had a great time at the camp and was happy to see actual NFL players and also was happy to attend because he wants to play in NFL Flag as a career.

#Overall, both young men said they learned that being focused is key and would definitely recommend the camp to others.

#Jayden Deal, a two-time All-Pro participant, said he was excited to attend the camp because of the potential scholarship opportunities.

#He also learned how to run routes and did some speed training.

#The Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL) and other event organisers are looking forward to the return of this event next year as it continues to get bigger and better.

BRAGGING RIGHTS: The Caro Contractors Lady Avengers and EDLC Lions are this year’s Bahamas Flag Football League champions. Photos: Tenajh Sweeting

As of Monday, June 26, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Caro Contractors Lady Avengers and EDLC Lions are the 2023 flag football champions.

#The Bahamas Flag Football League (BFFL) season ended this past Sunday at the Winton Rugby Field after the final four teams battled to the finish.

#The Lions overcame Oasis Team Red Dot to secure their title win.

#Meanwhile, the Lady Avengers took care of business in the finals against the Fidelity/Money Maxx Phoenix Fire to win their first championship title.

#Lions vs Team Red Dot

#The Lions collectively earned their second title win for the franchise after defeating Team Red Dot 26-19 to quell their first-time title aspirations. The team initially thought they would be going into the matchup shorthanded after quarterback Theran Evans sustained a hyperextended knee injury.

#However, the quarterback showed up to play along with wide receiver Ryan Delva who claimed Most Valuable Player (MVP) honours in the championship win.

#The featured matchup between the two powerhouse teams started with the Lions scoring the first touchdown of the bout.

#Team Red Dot quickly returned the favour and scored a touchdown of their own to even the score. With eight minutes remaining in the first quarter, Team Red Dot scored another touchdown on their opponent, seemingly building momentum going into the last half of the BFFL season.

#However, it was not long before the Lions scored their final touchdown of the half. Team Red Dot had the advantage going into the second half due to a touchdown and one -point conversion, making the score 19-12.

#Ultimately, Team Red Dot was unable to score in the second half while the Lions upped the ante on defence and offence to earn the gritty win.

#Travis Thompson, head coach of the Lions, appeared emotional as he described the title win.

#“At the end of the day we just persevered, we said that once we believe in each other and continue to play Lions football nobody could beat us, we stayed together and played Lions football and came out with the win,” Thompson said.

#He said although he felt the league counted them out, the team continued to stick together and fight and now the celebration will be amazing as they dedicate this win to Phillip Rahming who was instrumental in helping to build the Lions organisation.

#Delva, the team’s MVP, amassed two touchdowns in the finals victory and said it felt amazing to win the honour but it was a team effort and, after seven years, they all worked hard and refused to leave without the victory.

#Evans, who returned to play in the Lions’ championship game after last-minute medical clearance, said the team was really behind him and he did not have to do too much coming back from injury.

#“I just had to do my job and they finished it for me…it’s been a long time coming, we have been fighting for years. I feel we were supposed to get it last year but we got it now,” he said.

#Lady Avengers vs Phoenix Fire

#The Lady Avengers brought home their first title of the franchise a year after their men won the championship hardware. The women’s team wrapped up the Phoenix Fire 8-3 to emerge as champions.

#Phoenix Fire opened the finals match 3-0 on the Lady Avengers. The latter got on the scoreboard after a touchdown by the team’s MVP running back Phylicia Sargent. The score was 6-3 favouring the newest champions going into the second half. The game wrapped up with the Lady Avengers adding two more points to their total and the Phoenix Fire remaining scoreless in the second half.

#Cordero Fernander, head coach of the Lady Avengers, talked about how it felt to see the team win their first BFFL championship. “It feels good. I give all honour and glory to God, without him we are not here, these girls deserve this, they put in the work all season from October and January. Being in the league for nine years, it is finally good to get one,” he said.

#Fernander added that it was an evenly matched game and despite the few mental lapses by his team, they were able to hold on and get the win.

#Sargent, the team’s MVP, said the win felt wonderful and great and she added that the team is overwhelmed with joy and she cannot put into words how great the celebration will be.

BAHAMAS Davis Cup team, from left to right, of captain Marvin Rolle, Donte Armbrister, Denali Nottage and Kevin Major Jr.

As of Friday, June 23, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#The Bahamas, after losing its first three matches in the American Zone III Davis Cup tie, managed to take advantage of Honduras to secure a 3-0 win to advance to the playoffs on Saturday.

#Playing out of Pool B at the National Tennis Club in Asuncion, Paraguay, Denali Nottage won his opening singles match 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 over Guillermo Alfonso Bennaton in two hours and nine minutes.

#Kevin Major Jr, the top seeded player, needed just 58 minutes to dispose of Alejandro Obando in set scores of 6-2, 6-0.

#And in doubles, veteran player/captain Marvin Rolle and Donte Armbrister once again teamed up to secure another victory with a 7-6, (7-3), 6-4 decision over Obando and Mario Richmagui in one hour and 25 minutes.

#Rolle, who the day before was honoured for his longevity as a member of Team Bahamas, said he couldn’t ask for a better showing than he got against Honduras.

#“Denali had a tough one. He came a little nervous because of the importance of the tie,” Rolle said.

#“He came out a little nervous after losing the first set, but he managed to overcome his nerves and he pulled off the second set.

#“He just kept his nerves and he continued fighting and pushing. He finished strong. He got his first Davis Cup victory. So I’m really proud of him.”

#After losing his first three matches in the previous three days, Rolle said Major Jr took his frustration out on his opponent from Honduras.

#“The guy didn’t have any chance,” Rolle said.

#Like they did in their opening tie, Rolle and Donte Armbrister teamed up for another victory in doubles.

#“Nobody got broken until 3-2 in the second when I got broken at 3-2,” Rolle said. “We broke back, Donte held at 4-4, we broke again and I held serve to close it out.

#“Overall, it was a good day.”

#With today off, Team Bahamas will now play on Saturday when they take on the loser between Bermuda and Panama.

#Rolle said they hope that they can face Panama because they don’t want to play against the only other English-speaking team in the tournament.

#Looking back at their performance against Honduras, Armbrister said they played extremely well.

#“It was a competitive match from the start. We played well from the start and I like how when we were faced with adversity, we just stayed positive and kept on fighting,” Armbrister said.

#“Like I say, I always enjoy playing with Marvin. He always knows what shots to hit at the right time.

#“He served well, he volleyed well and did everything right at the right time.”

#Armbrister, who is making his second appearance on the Davis Cup team, said it was so refreshing to win all three of their matches played, which gives them the opportunity to play on Saturday.