June 9, 2023June 9, 2023

BLTA junior nationals this weekend

As of Thursday, June 8, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) will host their junior nationals for the younger division starting this week Friday at 9am. The event will kick off for the youngsters at the National Tennis Center (NTC) and will run from June 10-11. The tennis action will feature the under 8 and 10 divisions and will be a first time nationals performance for many of the younger tennis players.

#Perry Newton, president of BLTA, talked about his expectations for this weekend’s start of the junior nationals for the under 8-10 divisions.

#“It’s going to be very exciting especially for the new players who will compete in the under 8s and 10s. We are trying to get them opportunities to compete and get the jitters out,” Mr Newton said.

#He added that for the coaches of the younger players it will be the opportunity for them to see what they have learned, and how they utilise their tools and abilities to solve problems.

#Although the younger tennis players will get their matchups out the way this weekend, the older divisions will take to the tennis courts from June 16-21. The other divisions to be played will include the under 12, 14, 16, and 18 categories which will lead to a new junior nationals champion being crowned. Between this weekend and next weekend the NTC will host 100 players coming from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Exuma, and Eleuthera.

#The divisions will have draw sizes of 32 and 16 as the sport steadily grows. Additionally, the tournament will also award ranking points for the older players and will also be played in best of three tiebreaker sets. However, for the young ones in action this weekend, they will play in shorter sets in a round robin format.

#Although there are over 30 first timers expected to play on the tennis court, there will also be some new umpires officiating the game as a busy month looms for the BLTA.

#“June, early July, would be our busiest period for the year,” Mr Newton said. “We came off the heels of our umpires training [course] and we are excited for the persons who will be doing it officially for the first time.”

#He added that they will have the opportunity to work and get some exposure at this weekend’s event.

#Automotive & Industrial Distributors Ltd (AID) will be the title sponsors for the 2023 Junior Tennis Championships.

#AID had some special words for the tennis community ahead of the nationals.

#“As an avid supporter of the tennis community in The Bahamas for over 30 years we are honoured to support this tournament . . . the company believes wholeheartedly that sport instills the discipline, perseverance, and responsibility needed to build well rounded productive citizens and is excited to be apart of this remarkable sporting event,” the company said.

#This year’s event will also be sponsored by Coca Cola and RMS Insurance Agents.

#Event organisers are encouraging interested individuals to come out and support the young tennis athletes in competition.

June 9, 2023June 9, 2023

New head coach could help Ayton shine at the Suns

DEANDRE Ayton in action.

As of Thursday, June 8, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#Phoenix Suns centre and Bahamian National Basketball Association (NBA) player Deandre Ayton could see his talents maximised once again this upcoming NBA season. There is a newfound optimism surrounding the Bahamian centre after the team hired Frank Vogel as their new head coach following the firing of previous coach Monty Williams after the playoffs. The team was ousted from the 2023 NBA playoff semifinals after the Denver Nuggets defeated them in a 25-point blowout win to end their season.

#Despite not playing in the final game of the playoffs due to a rib contusion injury, Ayton received criticism for his inconsistent play in the semifinals. In this year’s playoffs the centre averaged 13.4 points per game (PPG), 9.7 rebounds, 0.7 blocks along with a 55% shooting clip. However, in the regular season he turned in 18.0 PPG, 10 boards, 0.8 blocks, with 58.8% on field goals. Although he had a disappointing showing in their last series with the centre only putting up double digits once in the final three games he played, the Suns’ new head coach has high hopes for the All-Star.

#At an introductory press conference this week Vogel said Ayton can be a big deterrent defensively and there’s still areas that he can grow offensively. The former Lakers head coach also added that he is intent on really connecting with Ayton and restoring him to an All-Star level player.

#Ayton and the Suns will look to regroup after what some may deem a disappointing postseason performance from a team with title expectations. The team tried to keep their title window open after acquiring 13-time all star Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets in February. The team brought the two-time NBA champion to pair with Devin Booker, point guard Chris Paul, and Ayton in hopes of going deep into the postseason. After coming up short, the Suns immediately shipped out their former head coach Williams for failing to meet expectations.

#Nonetheless, after resigning Ayton last summer for a four year $133 million dollar contract, landing Durant via trade and signing a head coach with championship experience, the Suns will run it back in hopes of a new end result next season.

June 9, 2023June 9, 2023

Bahamas All-Pro Football Camp set to return this month

As of Thursday, June 8, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The second edition of the Bahamas All-Pro Football Camp will get underway on Saturday, June 24 at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium. The star-studded camp will get take place from 12-3pm.

#The Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd (BTC) powered event will serve an instructional camp for the youth and will allow for them to interact with some household names from the National Football League (NFL). After seeing the immense support they garnered last year from bringing eight NFL players and hosting 220 kids, event organisers are determined to go even bigger this year.

#Johnathon Lord, sports marketer for the event, talked about why they decided to host the football camp again in The Bahamas.

#“I thought it would be a great idea because I have seen the tremendous progression that has happened with football in The Bahamas, in particular the flag leagues… the success of last year’s event was so great that we had no choice but to bring it back again this year,” Mr Lord said.

MIKE Strachan of the Indianapolis Colts. Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

#The camp staff at this year’s event will not only include returning NFL players but also the Bahamas’ Michael Strachan who plays as a wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. Professional players who will be joining Strachan at the camp include Los Angeles Chargers’ wide receiver Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, John Hightower, Miami Dolphins’ Cedrick Wilson Jr and Duke Riley, safety Dayarlo Jamal Swearinger, and Arizona Cardinals’ Rashad Fenton. There are also two surprise players that will be in attendance.

#The Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture is once again working in conjunction with the Bahamas All-Pro Football Camp for the second consecutive year.

#For last year’s event, the camp capped off at 220 participants and there were 400 more individuals on the waiting list. However, event organisers are allowing 300 persons maximum to sign up this year. Despite registration only opening on Tuesday, 101 persons have already signed up for June’s football camp.

#Lord acknowledged that it is unfortunate that they have a limited capacity but he noted the growing love that Bahamians have for football as a sport. Additionally, he talked about how impressed he was with the direction football is taking in The Bahamas following yesterday’s announcement of the country being the first to join NFL Flag Football.

#“I love it as a Bahamian born and raised here I have been blessed to do a lot with pro athletes in the USA so to see The Bahamas with the NFL Flag [football] partnership and camps there is raw talent in The Bahamas when it comes to football, while it is not a primary sport, yet there is an opportunity to create professional and collegiate opportunities for athletes,” he said.

#The All-Pro Football Camp will have one camp session for children ages 7-18. Participants will have the opportunity to compete in 1 versus 1 position competition, relay races, and receive autographs from the professionals.

#For the VIP session which takes place before the camp, persons will partake in an intimate experience. It will feature a question and answer session, they will get an 8×10 picture signed as well as a personal item.

#The VIP experience is limited to 100 persons including those registered and parents as well as 25 non-camp participants.

#For campers interested the cost will be $55, parents are $75, and outside participants are $100.

#Individuals that require more information on registration can check out the Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL) Facebook page or https://go.netcamps.com/events/3610-2023-bahamas-all-pro-football-camp.

June 9, 2023June 9, 2023

NFL Flag football first for Bahamas

Members of the National Football League (NFL) Flag gifted Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg with the first official flag football jersey following the announcement of The Bahamas as the first Caribbean country to join NFL Flag.

As of Thursday, June 8, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#With the National Football League (NFL) Flag family seeking to expand in the region, The Bahamas became the first Caribbean country to join the organisation. The historic announcement was made at a press conference yesterday at the Thomas A Robinson stadium.

#Super Bowl Champ and three-time NFL Pro-Bowler Simeon Rice made his vision a reality by bringing the NFL Flag to the Bahamas, a nation known for raw talent and hosting the Bahamas Bowl.

#The Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture is on board with the newest sporting initiative that promises more exposure for the youth, as well as scholarship opportunities.

#Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg talked about the excitement he and his counterparts had after this announcement.

#“As Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, I am elated that the NFL has chosen The Bahamas as the first Caribbean country to expand their borders as an expansion of NFL Flag Football,” he said.

#The Minister welcomed and looked forward to the various opportunities the new sporting endeavour could potentially bring.

#“We look forward to the opportunities and exposure that this partnership will bring to our country and our young Bahamian athletes, young men and women will have the opportunity to be seen and recruited by US colleges,” Mr Bowleg said.

#He added that it is his desire as Minister to provide the necessary avenues for young people to maximise their full potential and to discover their true purpose in life.

#The newest sporting venture in the country will primarily place emphasis on youth but there will also be other opportunities for adults who play the sport as well.

#Chris Prudhome, head of NFL Flag in The Bahamas, talked about the different opportunities that will be available to the youth of the country.

#“When you look at the States and the different NFL teams that offer college showcases, one of my main objectives is going to be to have those same opportunities available here in The Bahamas,” he said.

#Mr Prudhome added that they want young men and women to be able to go to school on a full ride scholarship for playing flag football. The goal is to take flag football to the next level and make it a staple in the country to empower and engage as many young people as possible.

#He hopes that The Bahamas can be a destination for flag football to host tournaments and other events.

#Phoebe Schecter, NFL Flag Global Ambassador and the first women’s international NFL coach, is optimistic about The Bahamas being the first Caribbean country to partner with NFL Flag.

#She said not only has she been blown away by the hospitality but she also credited the talent of the athletes. Ms Schecter added that the goal is just to enhance the talent so The Bahamas can make the sport our own and place our own cultural stamp on it.

#The NFL Global Ambassador said playing American football changed her life as a woman by empowering her and giving her confidence and it is the goal to give that back to the younger generation to make sure that every person has equal opportunity to fall in love with the sport in any capacity.

#The title sponsor for NFL Flag Football Bahamas is the Island Luck (IL) Cares Foundation.

June 9, 2023June 9, 2023

Jonquel, Liberty look to bounce back after Sunday’s loss to Sky

New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones (35) gets the rebound against the Seattle Storm as guard Courtney Vandersloot looks on during the first half on May 30 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

As of Wednesday, June 7, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#BAHAMIAN Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) player Jonquel Jones and the New York Liberty will look to bounce back from this past weekend’s loss against the Chicago Sky.

#The team fell to the Sky 86-82 after blowing a double-digit lead in the third quarter of the game on Sunday.

#However, tonight they will take on the 1-6 Minnesota Lynx at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn at 7pm in hopes of returning to their early season winning ways.

#In their last game, Grand Bahama’s Jones turned in nine points, to go with 6 rebounds and two assists in the loss.

#The Bahamian professional player has had some ongoing struggles since coming back from a foot injury, and is averaging career lows in points per game (9) and rebounds (4) on her new team.

#With the Liberty, Jones is also playing 18.3 minutes per game which is the second lowest of the 29-year old’s career.

#On the defensive end, Jones is averaging one block and 0.2 steals which are also career lows for her so far.

#Despite a rocky start to the season by the forward, her team has enjoyed some early season success, sitting third overall in the WNBA with a 4-2 win/loss record.

#The team sits behind the Las Vegas Aces and Jones’ former squad Connecticut Sun. Her teammate Breanna Stewart, who joined the team after signing in the offseason, is having quite the start.

#The forward is averaging career highs in points with 23.7, rebounds with 10.5, and assists with 3.5. Jones’ teammate has also been on a tear with double doubles as of late, having three consecutive games where she notched double digits in points and rebounds. The Liberty team will look to make big waves in the 2023 WNBA season after turning in a 16-20 sub .500 record last season.

#Following their active offseason in which they acquired Jones in a three-team deal with the Connecticut Sun and Dallas Wings, former 2018 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Stewart and four-time All-Star Courtney Vandersloot, the team is off to a better start.

#Last season, the team averaged 79.6 points per game and allowed opponents to score 82.0.

#However, the star-studded lineup has their sights set on the WNBA championship.

#With Jones already having an MVP under her belt, the championship would be the first of her career.

#The 11th overall Lynx will have their hands full tonight as the Liberty will try to regroup against them.

June 8, 2023June 8, 2023

Devynne Charlton 2nd

Devynne Charlton warms up at the Irena Szewinska Memorial on the World Athletics Continental Tour in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

As of Wednesday, June 7, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#After a five-week break to deal with an ankle injury, it was business as usual for high hurdler Devynne Charlton.

#In her first meet since competing at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, Charlton lined up at the Irena Szewinska Memorial, this season’s eighth World Athletics Continental Tour in Bydgoszcz, Poland where she placed second in the women’s 100 metre hurdles.

#Her time of 12.64 equalled her season’s best she ran prior to the slight injury, so Charlton was quite content trailing NACAC champion Alaysha Johnson of the United States of America, who touched the tape in 12.41.

#Looking back at her performance after she ran a 12.60 for sixth two days ago in another meet, Charlton said she’s right where she wants to be heading into the remainder of the season. “To come off the plane and run a 12.6 isn’t bad, considering the adjustment you have to make with the time zone, sleeping and eating at different times,” Charlton said. “I’m happy with the performance. I could have executed a little better, but I will take the time.”

#As for her race, Charlton admitted that she still has to work on the middle aspect of her race. Once she can get it together, she feels she will be a force to reckon with this year.

#“The good thing is I have some time to go back to training and work on it,” said Charlton, who noted that she’s hoping to compete in a few more meets in a few weeks before she comes home in July.

#The 27-year-old Bahamian national record holder is the leading candidate for the title at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Senior and Junior National Championships from July 4-6, but she know that there are some young hungry contenders on her trail.

#The Nationals will serve as the final trials for selection to Team Bahamas for the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary from August 19-26. While she’s Bahamian over two lined up in the same event with her.

#“These young girls are doing extremely well,” said Charlton, of competitors such as Charisma Taylor and Denisha Cartwright, two of the leading performers. “It would be nice to have at least three of us in the same event at the World Championships.

#“We’ve never done it before where we had three competitors (the maximum a country is allowed) to compete in the hurdles. We normally have two, me and Pedrya Seymour. So it would be nice if we could get three.”

#And like there is a push to get the additional competitors, Charlton still have one thing on her mind. That is trying to get on the podium like she did at the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia where she won a silver and duplicated the feat at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England and NACAC Championships in Grand Bahama.

#“I would like to continue where I left off last year,” said Charlton, who also made the finals at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. “It would be nice to win a medal there.”

#Charlton has never won a medal at the World Championships or the Olympic Games. But she’s hoping this is her year to shine at World’s before she pursue the Olympics in Paris, France next year.

June 8, 2023June 8, 2023

NFL Flag football first for Bahamas

As of Thursday, June 8, 2023