As of Thursday, September 7, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#With schools recently reopening for the new academic and sporting year, the CH Reeves Raptors are looking to keep last season’s momentum going.

#The Raptors had quite the year in the return of most Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) sporting events. The junior school emerged as champions in girls basketball, repeated as winners for the 30th GSSSA track and field championships, and the girls won the Noble Preparatory Academy (NPA) basketball tourney in the spring.

#The Raptors are well known for their sporting success that has expanded nearly two decades and their physical education department expects to continue that this sporting year.

#Varel Davis, Raptors’ physical education teacher, believes the junior school has attained and maintained a high standard in sports and this year is no different.

#“My expectations for the CH Reeves Raptors are always high. I always tell my kids that this is a winning school and we have continued with that name of being the top junior school when it comes to sports in the country,” Davis said.

#The sporting events are soon to get underway for the GSSSA and the Raptors have commenced practices and training for cross country.

#According to the physical education teacher, 40 students have shown up to practice in the early stages, which is great for their plan to start preparing for sports earlier.

#“Our plan this year is to start preparing our teams early, especially for the first sport so that they could train,” she said.

#Davis added that she wants the Raptors to be involved in more tournaments and track club meets in preparation for the various sporting disciplines throughout the year.

#“We are going to try to get involved in more tournaments and track club meets to prepare our kids for these events. Once we do that I think we should have a great season with our athletes,” she said.

#Despite being short-staffed with only two physical education teachers stationed at CH Reeves Junior High School, Davis maintains that adequate training along with confidence in the athletes goes a long way.

#The coaches at the junior school focus on training with the students from their entrance in grade 7 and consistently work with them in sports until their departure in grade 9 for senior school.

#“We try our best to get our children to believe in themselves and to believe that they can use their sporting abilities to get them somewhere,” she said.

#With expectations high for the 30th anniversary of GSSSA sports and sporting events returning to normal, Davis wants the junior school to accomplish much more.

#She said they hope to accomplish a lot this school year which includes winning more sporting activities in, not just track, but other disciplines.

#She added that once everybody works together and trains consistently there is no reason why the CH Reeves Raptors should not be on top for junior sports again.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

As of Wednesday, September 6, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg likes the direction sports is heading in the country, but he admitted that there’s still some more work for the federations and associations to do to get it to where it should be.

#Mr Bowleg’s comments came in the aftermath of Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis’ Cabinet shuffle on Sunday. Mr Bowleg, however, was one of the ministers who remained in the same office since the Progressive Liberal Party was elected in 2021.

#With a vote of confidence from Mr Davis in what he’s done so far, Mr Bowleg said he’s been given the mandate to continue what he started and he’s looking forward to the last half of their term in office.

#“The whole idea is to ensure our administration puts ourselves in a position to fulfill the promises that we made to the Bahamian people,” Mr Bowleg said. “He wants to make sure that every member is carrying out their mandate so that we can ensure that the promises we made are carried out.”

#Looking back at his tenure so far in office, Mr Bowleg said he’s pleased with what his ministry has accomplished, but he pointed out that there’s still a lot more to be done.

#“We have the return of the World Relays coming up next year and so we want to make this the greatest one ever held,” said Mr Bowleg of the sixth edition of the global event that was first held here in 2014, 2015 and 2017 before it was moved to Yokohama, Japan in 2019 and last staged in Chorzow, Poland in 2021.

#“We know that all of the countries affiliated with World Athletics are expected to come down here because this is a qualifier for relay teams for the Olympic Games in Paris, France. So we want to make sure that we do what is necessary to pull it off.”

#Additionally, Mr Bowleg said Bahamas Aquatics will be hosting the CARIFTA Swimming Championships over the Easter holiday weekend with the view of clinching their sixth straight title.

#As they’re doing now with the repairs to the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in preparation for the World Relays, Mr Bowleg said they are also doing some renovations to the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex for CARIFTA.

#Off the playing arena, Mr Bowleg said his ministry is finalising plans to pass the Youth Policy as well as update the Sports Policy, which are on the books, but need to be revisited to provide a more vibrant programme in the country.

#Mr Bowleg, the immediate past president of the Bahamas Basketball Federation, took the time out to congratulate Eugene Horton, who was returned as president with a full four-year mandate after taking over the last two years of Bowleg’s term in office.

#“I think they have done a tremendous job over the past few years in taking the federation to the level where it is right now,” said Mr Bowleg, who was on hand to watch as the men’s national basketball team advanced out of the Pre-Qualifying Tournament in August in Argentina to the Qualifying Tournament in July for the 2024 Olympic Games.

#“I hope that they can continue that upward progress in moving basketball to the next level.”

#However, Mr Bowleg said there are some federations and associations which still have some fine tuning to do to get their sporting disciplines to where it should be in the country.

#“We are expected to have a Sports Conclave before the end of the year,” said Mr Bowleg, who noted that Director of Sports Kelsie Johnson-Sills is working on the details.

#“We want to be able to give the various sporting federations and associations the necessary tools and skill sets to be able to manage as a business so that we can see the improvements from the grassroots to the elite level.”

#Without getting into their affairs, Mr Bowleg said he would like to see all federations and associations review their constitutions to make sure that they are covering all of the areas that they need to be successful. 

#“There are some things that these sporting bodies should have changed a long time ago, but we will make sure that when we meet with them, they all do what they have to, to be able to come on line with each other,” he insisted.

#“We want them to control their own destiny, but there is still some work that they all have to do and as the entity in the country to help facilitate that, we will provide the means to assist in whatever way we can.”

#There’s a lot of work to be done, but Mr Bowleg said he and his ministry are up to the task in getting the job done.

#He just encouraged all sporting bodies to join them on the ride to the finish line.

As of Wednesday, September 6, 2023
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By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Softball 242 is bringing some of the women’s teams in the region to compete in the One Caribbean Invitational Women Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament.

Softball 242, composed of some veteran former softball executives in the country, will host the tournament from October 5-8 at the Bankers Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex with four visiting teams and two local teams competing.

Thomas Sears, the organiser, revealed that the New Providence Softball Association’s perennial champions Sunshine Auto Wildcats, managed by Anthony Bullard, and the Unity Bahamas, managed by Shane Albury, are the two local teams participating.

The BVI Aces from the British Virgin Islands; the US Virgin Islands team and the Club Fusion and the Warriors Queens from Jamaica will make up the field of teams coming in.

“This is all in an effort to unite softball or use softball as a tool to unite the region,” Sears said.

“Softball is just one of those sports that can unify the region, so we’re coining it Softball in Paradise.”

The tournament is being sanctioned by the Bahamas Softball Federation (BSF), the English Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation (ECASC) and the World Baseball/Softball Confederation Americas (WBSC) and will be played under the World Baseball/Softball Confederation standards with a round robin format that will result in the top four seeds playing in a seed championship round.

All participants, according to Sears, will receive commemorative awards and the top three teams will also receive gold, silver and bronze medals in addition to team trophies.

“The fans can see softball at another level,” Sears said. “The US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands are among the leaders in the region when it comes to softball.”

Assisting Sears are Burkett Dorsett, the local technical director; Sharon ‘the General’ Storr, Ted Miller, Rozina Taylor, Athama Bowe and Godfrey Burnside.

Sears, a WBSC certified official, said the plan is to incorporate both local and international umpires to ensure that the games are successfully staged.

As of Wednesday, September 6, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#Varel Davis has served as president of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) since 2015 and is now seeking another two-year term at Thursday’s elections. The former senior women’s national basketball team point guard will run for her fifth consecutive term and members will make their decisions at CH Reeves Junior High School tomorrow at 4pm. Davis and her executive team are hoping to continue with the strides they made for 30th year of GSSSA sports as the respective disciplines made their returns from hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

#Although Davis is in the running once again for president she acknowledged that the position comes with sacrifices to get the job done.

#“I always believe that your work speaks for you,” she said. “This is my tenth year going in to be re-elected as GSSSA president and everyone knows that this job is not easy and requires a lot of work, late nights and evenings.”

#Despite the endless sacrifices, Davis is motivated by her love for the children and their sporting successes.

#“It is a lot and does get tiresome but the reason why I am still a part of this is because of the children and because someone did it for me. I want these children to succeed in whatever they do in sports,” she said.

#The presidential candidate not only served as GSSSA president for years but also as a physical education teacher at CH Reeves.

#With most sports making their return this year, Davis is excited for the possibilities of the 30th year, if re-elected.

#“We do have plans for the 30th year of the GSSSA that I want to see happen but I do have a good team that will be along with me and hopefully the members will be the ones to decide whether we go back in but I am excited for this year,” she said.

#Davis was passionate as she talked about how it felt to see GSSSA sports make a comeback in the latter part of 2022 and earlier this year.

#“After that pandemic year I saw how great our season was in terms of all our sports since we started in September, just to see the kids participating and coming back was heartwarming,” she said.

#Although she had some minor concerns about what competition and coaching would be like ahead of last year’s sporting events, she believes it went well and the kids were excited to be back.

#Ultimately, Davis is looking forward to another successful and promising sporting year.

#The physical education teacher first started her reign as GSSSA president in 2015 taking over from the past president Kevin “KJ” Johnson.

#She is only the second woman to serve as president, with the first being Edna Forbes.

As of Wednesday, September 6, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#After celebrating their one-year anniversary this summer, the Reloaded Baseball programme is preparing to host their second baseball invitational. The baseball action is set to get underway from October 6-9 at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. The three-day invitational will feature competition from the Coach Pitch to 14-and under (14U) division. Young athletes from the capital will be joined by players from Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Andros, Exuma, Long Island, Bimini along with international teams from the USA.

#Peron Burnside, president of the Reloaded Baseball programme, has been adamant about the development of the Reloaded players in efforts to improve their skills to international standards and believes this invitational will be a continuation of the progress made.

#“We are continuing our pursuit of development to international standards for all Bahamian kids, even the ones who may not have had this opportunity afforded to them,” Burnside said.

#Coming off the heels of the programme’s “Bat 2 Base-ics” baseball and softball camp this summer and their inaugural invitational in April, the president is excited to host another one six months later.

#“As we have only completed our first year in existence it has been exciting to watch the kids in Reloaded develop and advance,” he said.

#He added that the programme never stops baseball and now with the collaboration alongside International Sports Academy (i-Elite) they have taken development to another level for the kids.

#The Reloaded Baseball Invitational is open to not only teams that play in New Providence but also Family Island teams that want to register.

#Baseball teams interested in the upcoming three-day event are asked to reach out via the website www.reloadedbaseball242.com or contact 826-7298 for more information.

#Following the programme’s camp in August, the Reloaded players will receive the opportunity to partake in Miami Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr Little League set for September 23. The developmental league will be headed by Geron Sands and Albert Cartwright of I-Elite.

#Additionally, Reloaded Baseball are already planning their next events which include a pitching and catchers camp hosted by international coaches.

#Also, in the winter season they will host a “Stay at Home” baseball event where international teams will play competitive games against local teams as well as engage in training.

#“Reloaded will not be deterred in its pursuit to develop our kids to international standards and walk them into scholarships and possibly further,” he said.

#The second edition of the Reloaded Invitational will be priced at $10 for the general public.

#The programme offers a special thanks to the National Sports Authority for playing an integral role in its developmental journey.

As of Tuesday, September 5, 2023

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WILLIAM JOHNSON

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Bahamas men’s national 1,500 metre record holder William ‘Knucklehead’ Johnson is delighted that there will be a continuation of the cross country invitational in his honour.

#But he’s a little disappointed that his 44-year-old national record of three minutes and 45.72 seconds that he established on May 17, 1983 in Austin, Texas in his senior year at Texas Christian University is still on the books.

#Johnson’s long-time friend and rival Rupert Gardiner is organising the cross country invitational that will be staged on Saturday, October 21, starting at 7:30am at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center.

#“It’s a good event for the high schools and clubs during the cross country season,” Gardiner said. “I know the University of the Bahamas is having one on September 21, so to come back with the William Johnson Invitational is great.

#“We need to focus a little more on our distance running programme so that we can get more distance runners competing at the international level.”

#This is the sixth year that the event has been staged and Gardiner said they are looking forward to having some participation from Grand Bahama and the Family Islands.

#Johnson, now a fixture as an administrator at St Augustine’s College where he’s also a member of the coaching staff of the Big Red Machine track team, said he’s looking forward to the invitational. “I’m just immensely humbled that the guys would continue to do it, but more importantly than anything else, this cross country season is important for the distance running programme,” Johnson said.

#“This is a good opportunity for the distance runners to get into condition. There was no cross country season in my day, so these kids are fortunate and they should embrace the opportunity to get out there on the weekend and use these events to get in shape. That is what takes you to the next level.”

#Johnson, a former member of the Bahamas Pioneers Track Club, was one of the premier distance runners during his era at AF Adderley that ended with his graduation in 1978.

#A year later in 1979 in Kingston, Jamaica, Johnson captured the gold medal in the under-20 boys 1,500m when he ran 3:57.24 for both the CARIFTA Games and his first Bahamas national record, the latter feat he improved on in Texas.

#In thanking Gardiner and the Silver Lightning Track Club for putting on the invitational, Johnson said there’s been some improvement in the performances of the distance runners, but he would like to see a lot more.

#“The distance running programme is still lagging behind the sprints and the jumps,” Johnson said. “We have had some bright spots, but we’re still lagging behind in the distance programme.

#“We would like to see more participation from the distance runners at the CAC (Central American and Caribbean) and Pan Am Games. Yes, they are at CARIFTA, but we need to see them step it up at the bigger meets on the world stage.”

#As for the 1,500m record, Johnson said while he’s surprised that it’s still on the books, he can’t believe that no Bahamian has won a 1,500m gold medal in the under-20 boys division since he did it in 1979.

#“We’ve had under-17 boys who won the 1,500m and we’ve had under-20 boys who won the 5,000, but none of them have won the 1,500 in the under-20 boys division,” Johnson said.

#“The record is still there, but it should be gone. Hopefully we would eventually see that record eclipse. It’s been around for a long time. It should be gone. There’s no way that it should still exist after 40 years.”

242 Ballers Basketball Club.

As of Tuesday, September 5, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER conducting a successful physical education programme in the Catholic Primary Schools for the past 19 years, Deven Johnson has made the switch to the government schools and has now been relocated to Exuma.

#In his transfer from New Providence, Johnson is now overseeing the physical education programme for primary schools in George Town, Mount Thompson, Moss Town and William’s Town.

#“It’s something that I have to get used to,” Johnson said. “The culture is something different, but I have to adjust to this island life.”

#Johnson’s last posting in New Providence was at St Cecilia’s where he coached the Strikers to a runners-up position against the St Thomas More Sparks in the last Catholic Diocesan Basketball League played three years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

#He noted that having made his presence felt wherever he coached, he’s hoping to do the same in his new role in Exuma.

#“My expectations are pretty high,” he said. “I’m going to try to see if I can implement some things that are not here in terms of sports in the schools and see if I can get an inter-school league here as well.

#“I see some kids here already who have the potential, so there’s a lot of work that I can do to get things going here.”

#In addition to coaching at St Cecilia’s, Joghnson also spent some time at St Francis/Joseph where he coached the Shockers to a number of titles and he also coached the Big Red Machine at St Augustine’s College.

#This year, Johnson also formed the 242 Ballers Basketball Club, which made a successful debut in a tournament in the Turks and Caicos Islands and last month, they captured the inaugural Caribbean Hoopfest title.

#“I started the programme to see if I could get some of these boys off to school,” Johnson said. “The programme has been successful so far because we got three players off to high school and another is now in college.”

#Those players who secured scholarships to play in the US are Maric=an Pickstock, Michael Munnings, Laterro Young, who will all be going to Life Prep, while Jamerolston Vil, who is heading to United International College.

#In his departure for Exuma, Johnson left Mario OPickstock and Bob Hudson to run the programme until he get a chance to return to New Providence to help out.

#Johnson also served as the last president of the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association. He noted that the league will have to conduct elections to establish a new slate of officers.

#In Exuma, he said he will be looking at ways in which he can help to resurrect the women’s basketball programme, especially from what he saw from their participation in the sixth Bahamas GHames in July.

COACH Ricardo Demeritte and ITF Level 2 participants.

As of Tuesday, September 5, 2023

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#THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association congratulates coach Ricardo Demeritte who recently participated in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Level 2 Coaching Advanced Players Course which was held in Trinidad and Tobago in August.

#At the end of this intensive 12-day course, it is expected that the coach would understand and be able to apply the necessary training principles for coaching beginner, intermediate and advanced players and plan the training and competition programme for advanced players. The course was led by the development officer for the Caribbean, John Goede.

#Demeritte shared his views on the course and how he hopes to utilise the knowledge obtained.

#“Heading to Trinidad to participate in the ITF Level 2 – CAP Course, I was extremely nervous due to the setup/schedule of the course.

#“The course is typically 12 packed days filled with many hours on court also in the classroom.

#“It was a lot of information to absorb, process, and test during on-court practicals, pop-up tests, and assignments. I would say that the main reason I was successful in passing the course were my amazing classmates and ITF tutors. They presented information through various articles, discussions, case studies, statistics and real-life experiences in the tennis industry.”

#Three of my biggest takeaways from the course are:

#• The new method to effectively assess, analyse and correct advanced players.

#• Learning about the more efficient and effective ways to create training plans for advanced players.

#• The importance of clear and effective communication between players, coaches and parents.

#“I intend to use the knowledge and tools gained from the course to start a training programme for advanced junior players and also for our collegiate players.

#“I also would like to establish a coaches’ association. As coaches are the most important elements in tennis, it is paramount that we work together to develop tennis at various levels.”

#BLTA President Perry Newton expressed his excitement of another Level 2 coach being added to the coaching pool in The Bahamas.

#“We can only grow and develop our players in tandem with the development and growth of quality coaches. This course is a challenging course and we congratulate coach Demeritte on his successful completion,” Newton said.

#“I am very proud of him. We are also thankful to the ITF for all the opportunities, as we work to develop tennis on all levels.”

BFA officials present soccer equipment to primary school teachers.

As of Tuesday, September 5, 2023

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#THE Bahamas Football Association kicked off the new school year by once again hosting the professional development day for the primary schools.

#The event got started with the BFA presenting to the teachers the format of the upcoming tournament and taking them through the subtle changes to take place.

#After the presentation, the floor was turned over to the local facilitators of the Concacaf initiative, Generation Amazing.

#The project was a collaboration between Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation which was formalised in 2017 and paved the way for a strategic partnership between Concacaf and the Qatar Football Association.

#The programme is a blended approach of online and in-person learning.

#Generation Amazing will contribute to workshops to produce coach education training for all coaches.

#There are four pillars making up the education component:

#• Concacaf understanding sport for development

#• Concacaf Safeguarding and child protection

#• The role of the coach and facilitating F4 D sessions

#• GA Developing practical football session booklet

#Schools involved: 24

#Kids involved: 25

#per programme

#Age targeted :

#Grassroots (under 12)

#Local facilitators are Kermit Romer, Krystal Evans and Codisha Brown.

#Equipment presented to participants, including president of the NPPPSSA Latoya Sturrup and MOE assistant director Dwayne Higgins.

#Bruce Swan, Technical Director

Bodybuilders earn their pro cards

FROM LEFT: Veteran bodybuilder Jimmy Norius showing off his two professional cards, Serena Salis Decius-Norius on stage and Tarran Knowles with his IFBB Pro cards.

As of Monday, September 4, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Jimmy Norius and Tarran Knowles can now hold the distinction of being the first two Bahamians to earn their professional bodybuilding cards from two different organisations.

#The pair added their latest honours at the IFBB Professional League in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania last week where Norius’ wife Serena Salis Decius- Norius fell short in her bid to secure her first pro card.

#Norius, who clinched his IFBB Elite pro card in 2018, captured the men’s Classic and Men’s Physique as the overall champion. He said he wasn’t surprised when he went on stage and they placed him in the middle and surrendered all of the other competitors around him for their comparisons.

#“When I stepped on stage, they took one look at me and put me in centre stage,” Norius said.

#“They looked at everybody else to determine who got second, third, fourth and fifth.

#“I’m an old dog, so I knew I had the performance to win it,” said the 49-year-old Norius.

#“I just wanted to get my pro card on this site because this would give me a chance to compete in so many more events than I would with my IBFF Elite card.”

#Eventually, Norius said he will have to make a decision on which of the cards he will keep.

#He noted that he would be writing to the IBFF Elite to indicate to them that he would like to relinquish the card and focus on his IBFF League card.

#This was the second event in the month that Knowles has competed in. On August 3 at the Tim

#Gardner Tampa Extravaganza in Tampa, Florida, Knowles took the overall title after he took the men’s physique category. He followed that up with his pair of pro cards in the masters over-35 and over-40 Men’s Physique categories..

#“I felt really good about it considering that I took a different approach,” said Knowles, a 41-year-old employee at Royal Bank of Canada and a personal trainer at Empire Fitness Center.

#“The journey for me was more of a silent one, so you wouldn’t have heard about Tampa because I didn’t announce that I was going to it, nor to Pittsburgh. It was more personal. I allowed my silence to speak for my performances. I just did what I had to do.”

#Knowles, who has been competing in the sport since 2014, won his first pro card in 2019 in Montreal, Canada with his IBFF Elite card. He said he’s thrilled to be a dual pro card holder.

#“I still haven’t absorbed it yet. I think it’s a surreal feeling,” he said.

#“I can actually get the respect because the Pro League is taken at a more serious pace than the Pro Elite.

#“It’s humbling, being able to work so hard for so long and to finally achieve these accomplishments.

#“In staying grounded with God, he has made it all possible. It’s made me realise that anything is possible.”

#Like Norius, Knowles is looking forward to relinquishing his Pro Elite card and just concentrating on his Pro League card.

#He said he is just waiting on his American coach to advise him on when he will make his pro debut so that he can get properly prepared for the competition.

#As for Decius-Norius, she said she will be more inspired as she moves forward.

#“My performance was very good. I was in the middle of the pack on stage and I liked the way my body looked and the way I was able to perform,” she said.

#“I did everything to win. Unfortunately, I didn’t win, but I will be ready for the next show,” said the 39-year-old Decius-Norius.

#“I know I am in great shape and the lady who beat me, she deserved it. I know her.

#“I competed against her before, so I know what I have to do to get my pro card.”

#Her husband and coach Jimmy Norius said he was pleased with his wife’s improvement.

#“She just got out on getting her pro card by one point. We asked the chief judge why and he told us what she needed to do, so we will get her ready for the Caribbean Grand Prix at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island on November 11.

#As for Decius-Norius, she was proud of her husband’s performance, as well as Knowles.

#“I saw him go on stage two times and he was right in the middle of the stage, so I knew that he was going to perform very well,” she said. “I was even pleased to see how well Tarran performed. He did very well as well. I am proud of both of them.”