Spencer Cartwright ‘A Top-Level International Sailor’

SPENCER Cartwright began his impressive sailing career at the age of eight.

SPENCER Cartwright began his impressive sailing career at the age of eight.

As of Wednesday, June 24, 2020

#THE Bahamas National Sailing School (BNSS) is pleased to introduce Spencer Cartwright as a top-level international sailor who began his impressive sailing career with the BNSS at the age of eight.

#He developed a love for the sport and through hard work, discipline and determination achieved the many extraordinary goals he had set for himself. He has won more junior national championships in the Optimist Dinghy Class than any other sailor in The Bahamas – four to be precise.

#He is currently our reigning Laser National Champion (open event, not junior). From the time he started to sail he was always in the top ranks of the classes in which he participated, the main ones being the Laser, Snipe and Sunfish classes in addition to the Optimist Class.

#He has made us proud by having represented The Bahamas internationally at major world and regional events, such as Laser Junior World Championships, Optimist World Championships, World Sailing Youth Championships, and Central America & Caribbean Games.

#Spencer made it on to the Roger Williams University sailing team in the first year of attending the college and is today captain of the team – one of the top sailing colleges in the USA. His next major goal is to represent The Bahamas in the 2024 Olympic Games in the Laser Class.

#When asked about what inspired him about sailing and how he benefitted from the sport and being a part of BNSS, Spencer put his thoughts in the following statement:

#“My name is Spencer Cartwright and I grew up sailing on Montagu Bay in Nassau, The Bahamas. These past two months in lockdown might be amongst the longest periods I’ve gone without touching the water since I began sailing at the age of eight.

#“Needless to say I really enjoy the sport. In fact, this intense passion has led me to continue sailing in college as a member of the Roger Williams University sailing team and even sparked aspirations of sailing in the Olympic Games.

#“I often don’t like to admit it but more often than not your mother does know best. Despite my protest, she enrolled me in the BSA’s summer camp. However, the second the wind hit my sails I knew it was for me. The opportunity to steer my own boat on the open water was both empowering and freeing as there were no boundaries or lanes to confine me. It brought me a new sense of individualism and responsibility. Yet, the deciding factor for me to join the year round programme were the amazing friends that I had made that summer.

#“The best thing about the BSA, BNSS, and the sport of sailing in general is the people they attract. If you continue sailing you are bound to develop valuable relationships with interesting people from all across the world because the sailing community is so uniquely small and close knit.

#“There’s tons of other sports to choose from and though I could have excelled in other sports, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Sailing has truly made me the person I am today and even contributed to my success both academically and socially.

#“If I read that last sentence as a young kid I probably would’ve rolled my eyes and said it was just ‘irrelevant mushyness.’

#“Yet as an adult I truly believe it’s true. Each competition begins even before your boat touches the water. You must be responsible to take care of your boat so it is in racing condition every day after practice. Then you must be prepared by making sure all of your rigging is in the best setting for the conditions.

#“Once the racing begins you enter a battle where you must use calculated and critical thinking, physicality and even luck. Nothing is more rewarding than outsmarting your opponents and getting a huge shift in your favour. You feel like a wind god who can predict the future.

#“However, nothing is more frustrating than being on the losing end of a shift. Here you are most challenged as a sailor and you must use composure, determination and resilience to clear your mind and fight back in the same race or the following one. Perhaps my most valuable lesson learned is accountability. This is highlighted when I watch professional soccer, basketball or football athletes complain and argue with officials like spoiled children when a call doesn’t go their way.

#“When sailing there typically aren’t any judges on the water and when rules are breached the responsibility falls on the competitors to handle them accordingly by enforcing or taking their own penalties. This is directly parallel with daily life. To earn your competitors’ respect or feel satisfied in victory, you must be your own referee.

#“Each of these skills has improved my academic ability and led me to earn various scholarships and accolades. The goal to perfect these skills has made me a decorated sailor with several Optimist, Laser and Snipe national championships to my name and earned me the experience of competing at the international level. Each of these skills are readily available at the BSA and BNSS programmes.

#“Finally, I’d like to speak about my experiences sailing in college. It has honestly been the best time of my life and I urge every sailor with the opportunity to take it. Sailing at Roger Williams in the NEISA conference has allowed me to get countless hours on the water.

#“I get to practice four days a week and compete nearly every weekend, consistently knocking out up to 18 races amongst the most competitive fleets in our region, while being provided with coaching and equipment of all sorts. The system is quick and efficient with simple yet fun boats such as the FJ to gather as much experience as possible with an even playing field.

#“If you want to become a successful sailor this is certainly the route. The opportunity to do team racing is a refreshing alternative to your typical fleet racing. It’s high intensity and watching three boats work as a unit has made it my favourite pastime.

#“Now entering my senior year I’ve grown to compete in the A division as the captain of my team and push week after week against the most talented sailors of my age range to qualify for national championships. Although, while rewarding it is exhausting so I’ve developed a new talent for organisation and time management. Meanwhile, the protest hearings and rule discussions have taught me how to advocate for myself in job interviews and daily life.

#“I guess to wrap it up I should say get involved or stay involved if you already are. Sailing for The Bahamas has taken me all across the world to school in the (United) States and events in New Zealand, Italy, Canada, Columbia, Bermuda and The Dominican Republic. It has placed me in great positions with great people around me and I’m sure it will do the same for you or your child.”

Boc Makes Good On Promise Regarding Athletes’ Welfare

ROMELL KNOWLES, president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee.

ROMELL KNOWLES, president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee.

As of Wednesday, June 24, 2020

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#After making an announcement last month that they have formed a committee to assist developing athletes, the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) has made good on its promise through its newly-formed Athletes Welfare Commission.

#The Athletes Welfare Commission, headed by Roy Colebrook, one of the vice presidents of the BOC, was mandated to assist athletes from all disciplines to reach their full potentials in preparation for local, regional and international competitions.

#The assistance, which will account to about $30,000, will not be available to professional athletes or those who are under contracts with companies such as Adidas, Puma and Nike, according to BOC President Romell Knowles.

#“Fortunately, there are athletes already on Olympic scholarships, and some who have government subventions,” Knowles said.

#“So, there is a level of support already for some athletes. But these commission grants are for other athletes who have less support available to them. The assistance to the athletes will depend on their specific needs.”

#Knowles noted that if there is an over subscription of athletes for the $30,000, then the BOC will look at it in a case-by-case for each athlete.

#This is the first of an ongoing process in which the BOC will provide assistance to the athletes through the Welfare Committee, which will now receive a budget to support the athletes each year.

#Applicants in this initial process have until July 3 to have their applications returned to the BOC. Successful applicants will be notified within three weeks of the application deadline.

#Knowles noted that the immediate support is intended to assist athletes who are still eligible to qualify for the 2020 Olympics, which has been postponed and is now scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 8, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.

#“There are any number of needs that an athlete would have on the road to a qualifying event,” said Knowles.

#“Whether it is equipment, transportation, dietary supplements or some other resource, the athletes are facing tremendous obstacles to be in the best position to compete.

#“The Commission’s job is to look at the applications and assist as best we can, the best ways the BOC can help relieve some of those burdens.”

#Athletes on a case-by-case basis will be able to apply for assistance that would be a contribution toward their training and preparation for the games.

#Knowles noted that the national sports federations will be the point of contact for athletes. They will have access to applications through their national governing body.

#Once an athlete has completed an application, it must be endorsed by the federation and returned to the BOC through the federation.

#With the Bahamas riding out the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, like other ministries, saw a cut in the funding allocated in the government’s 2020/2021 budget that was just passed in the House of Assembly.

#In those cuts, subventions to athletes is also expected to be reduced. Knowles was agitating for the ministry to keep the athletes’ subvention at the figures they were before COVID-19.

#In her contribution to the budget debate, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle informed the nation that every effort would be made to assist the athletes.

#Knowles, however, said the BOC was hard pressed to assist, thus the formation of the Athletes Welfare Commission.

#While the figures are nowhere near what the athletes would receive from their subventions, Knowles claimed that they are delighted to be able to assist them in some small way in these hard economic times.

#Some athletes, who are based in the United States where they are training, have indicated that they are in need of assistance as they are also affected by the decline in the American economy where thousands of persons have been laid off or suffered job losses as a result of COVID-19.

#With the border expected to open up on July 1 for international travel to and from the United States, some of the athletes claim that they will be forced to return home until the economy picks up again.

#In addition to that, the United States is going through a resurgence of the coronavirus in the majority of their cities and there is an ongoing protest for the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign in wake of the death of African American George Floyd by a white policeman in Minnesota on May 24.

Minister Visits Andre Rogers National Baseball Stadium

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle and a delegation from her ministry visit the Andre Rodgers National Stadium site on June 12. Photo: Eric Rose/BIS

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle and a delegation from her ministry visit the Andre Rodgers National Stadium site on June 12. Photo: Eric Rose/BIS

As of Thursday, June 18, 2020

#MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle and a delegation from her ministry visited the construction site of the new Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium June 12.

#Michael Foster, project architect at Arconcepts, Ltd., along with Ministry of Public Works architect Terran Rodgers, led the tour as the group interacted with construction stakeholders and discussed the possibilities in the use of the entire stadium’s structure.

#Among those on the tour were permanent secretary Eugene Poitier, under secretary Montez Williams, acting under secretary Renee Bullard, director of sports Tim Munnings, office manager Aileen Spencer, consultant Telford Mullings, National Sports Authority chairman Burton Rodgers and other NSA officials.

#Rolle announced in the House of Assembly last week during her debate o the 2020/2021 budget that the new stadium should be completed by December 2020 at a cost of $27,486.658.00.

BAAA eyes end of July for nationals

Drumeco Archer.

June 17, 2020

The Nassau Guardian

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This coming weekend was set to be a busy one for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) as youth, junior and senior athletes were scheduled to be in action at their respective nationals. The events were set to get underway today at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

Instead, the nationals have been pushed back to the end of July, running over into August because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is provided that the government of The Bahamas approves sporting activities in its latest Emergency Powers orders.

BAAA President Drumeco Archer said it is expected to be a watered-down national championships due to the numerous challenges they face and the restrictions in place due to the pandemic.

“We are still hopeful that we can stage the event, even if it is a watered-down national championships, so that we could have some sort of culmination of our track and field program. It is hard to call it a national championships because I do not think we will have full representation. It is hard to call someone a national champion when you do not have everyone present,” said Archer.

The meet was set to be a qualifier for the 2020 Summer Olympics which has been postponed to the summer of 2021.

Under the current plan, juniors and seniors will be in action at the nationals starting on July 30. On Friday, August 1, the youth will hit the track. Archer said the competition level is still expected to be high.

“The success of any track and field competition is preparation and with a three-month furlough, it is difficult to see where we are in our program. There are many athletes who abbreviated their training. That applies to many of our junior and senior athletes. We are now trying to encourage them over the short weeks of the summer to sort of get in some level of fitness, but training happens in cycles. That is one of our challenges,” said Archer.

Archer said that the younger athletes will utilize the meet as more of a summer activity.

“Training has not only been a problem for the junior athletes but the senior and elite athletes who train locally as well. They have found a way to put in their training as best as they can at the senior level, but I cannot say the same for our junior program,” Archer said.

According to Archer, the meet is open to everyone as the borders will be opened for international travel on July 1 and athletes are welcomed to come home for the nationals.

“I speak to the coaches on a regular basis to find out what their athletes are doing and where they are,” said Archer. “There are many coaches who would have said that many of their athletes have shut down their seasons. On the other hand, there are a number of coaches who have maintained practice with the athletes who have been interested in getting meets in. All is not lost and we want to continue to encourage people to maintain fitness, but we are also mindful that within the summer period, there is a normal break period.”

It is a very tough time economically as corporate Bahamas, the government, and individuals practice austerity measures during these times of uncertainty because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“What I would like to see is individuals who are in a financial position to make a donation,” Archer said. “Our focus will now be turned to attracting individuals to provide smaller level of sponsorship to the federation. I think it is pretty remote to consider larger companies. There have been massive layoffs. There are companies who have not reopened for business as yet to presume that they are in a position to provide funding for an extra-curricular program.”

World Athletics, the governing body of track and field in the world, recommended a national championships window of August 6 to 8.

In her national budget communication last week, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle mentioned that her ministry has prepared a list of COVID-19 guidelines that were set to outline how sports activities are to be conducted whenever they are allowed to resume.

Blta Officers’ Election All Set For July 4

As of Wednesday, June 17, 2020

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AMIDST the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association is planning to host its election of officers on Saturday, July 4, at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association.

#The election is scheduled to take place between the hours of 3-6 pm.

#While current president Darnett Weir is not planning on seeking another two-year term in office, council member Perry Newton is the first candidate to throw his name in the hat to take over.

#“I was just waiting on the date to be released before I announced my intention to run,” said Newton, who is also now a certified coach in the association.

#“Over the last several years working in the association, I saw a lot of potential and I’ve seen what has been done and I’ve seen the opportunities that we can continue to grow.”

#Newton said he was inspired to offer himself for service because of his involvement in the junior development programme where he saw all the new kids that took advantage of the free lessons and their enthusiasm and eagerness and excitement of the sport.

#“This encouraged me to want to ensure that tennis is available for all,” he stated. “This is not just a sport but a pathway for so many young people and young at heart.”

#While there has not been any others coming forth to run, Newton has compiled a team called “Bahamas Tennis Stability,” which will focus on the growth and development of tennis throughout the islands of the Bahamas.

#Joining Newton on the team are Natishkah Barrett as the candidate for first vice president, Chilean Burrows as candidate for the second vice president, John Laramore as candidate for general secretary, Michael Butler as candidate for assistant secretary; Timothy Dames as candidate for treasurer; Yvette Godet as candidate for assistant treasurer and Cameel McDonald, Bernard Clarke, Tara Mactaggart, Everette Munroe and Stephen Taylor as candidates for council members.

#“The team is a very dynamic team, a very diverse team,” Newton said.

#“Everyone has a lot of enthusiasm and we share one common goal for the development of tennis in the Bahamas.

#“This team is inclusive of the Bahamas. I was trying to get a representation from across the Bahamas. On this team, I have the president from the Grand Bahama Tennis Association, the president from the Abaco Tennis Association and the president of a local tennis club. These are individuals who have tennis at heart. They are proven workers and they want to continue the growth of the sport.”

#In their manifest, the team states that they hope to create a sustainable environment means ensuring that they attract new junior and senior athletes to the sport of tennis, design programs that further assist with the development of existing athletes, develop impactful relationships with new sponsors as well as training new coaches and officials which will all aid in strengthening the future of tennis in the Bahamas.

#Their team’s vision is to “create and maintain an environment which fosters and encourages the growth and sustainability of the sport of tennis throughout the Bahamas.”

#And their mission is to “create programs and opportunities while removing barriers thereby making tennis accessible throughout the entire Bahamas.”

#Here’s a synopsis of the candidates:

#Newton has held various posts in the tennis arena including Public Relations Officer, Treasurer and Council Member of the BLTA, Director and Treasurer of the National Tennis Centre (NTC).

#He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business with a concentration in management and a minor in computer science. He is in the final stages of completing a Masters of Business Administration.

#Newton has also completed the Play Tennis Certification and Coaching Beginner and Intermediate Players (Level 1) Certification, which was offered by the ITF/BLTA. He enjoys playing his bass guitar and playing tennis with his lovely wife Esther Newton.

#Barrett began playing tennis at the age of 22 years old and was in love with the sport ever since. In the last 10 years, she became more acquainted with the local and national tennis community which first began by, from time to time, organizing tennis functions in Grand Bahama followed by being elected, in 2015, the President of the Grand Bahama Tennis Association (GBTA).

#Barrett objectives include introducing as many persons as possible to tennis, retaining players, creating friendly and competitive opportunities for persons to come together and improve their tennis skills, promoting and organizing educational opportunities as well as cultivating unity among the tennis professionals in Grand Bahama and by extension, the Bahamas.

#By profession, she is a practicing accountant in Grand Bahama. She has two children.

#Burrows is a consummate professional, having joined the Public Service in March 1992. In August 2003 she joined the staff of the Ministry of Education, Scholarship & Educational Loan Division as an Educational Loan and Scholarship Officer and was subsequently promoted to the position of Senior Educational Loan and Scholarship Officer in January 2006.

#Burrows was later promoted to the post of First Assistant Secretary, and along with that promotion came the responsibility of the head of the Scholarship & Educational Loan Division. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree, as well as a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, graduating (magna cum laude) from Florida International University.

#She is married to Mr Anthony Burrows Sr. and is the proud mother of one son Anthony Jr, a tennis player.

#Laramore is an Apple Certified Consultant at Mac Consultants Limited in Nassau, Bahamas. He received his training at Apple, Inc. Certified Centers in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Boston, Massachusetts; San Francisco, California; Richmond, Virginia; and Miami, Florida.

#Laramore is also a proud member of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation, Civil Society Bahamas, an umbrella organization that represents the interests of all the non-profit and non-governmental organizations in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the honor society of the National Society of Leadership and Success.

#He currently resides in New Providence with his wife Marcia and son John-Thomas.

#Butler was born the seventh son to Eugene and Lottie Butler. He attended and graduated from Government High School, Nassau Bahamas and Highland Park College, Michigan. He is a former semi professional baseball player and also a former member of the Bahamas national baseball and softball teams, a career investment banker and financial regulator.

#He is the current president of Southwest Tennis Club and coordinator of its after-school Play n Stay program and has completed the Play Tennis Certification and Coaching Beginner and Intermediate Players (Level 1) Certification offered by the ITF/BLTA as well as obtaining his Level 1 Mental Coaching Certification offered by the BOC in conjunction with Carroll Consultancy Group.

#Butler is also a former president of the Bahamas Bankers Athletic Association.

#Dames is the last of 10-siblings of Victoria Katura Dames. He is married to Ethel Mae Moss and has two daughters, Dr. Caron Finlay and Carol Dames.

#He attended St Bede’s Catholic School, Eastern Senior School and Nassau Technical School. After employment at Standard Plumbing in 1968 as an apprentice in their air conditioning department, and working as a technician at John S. George from early 1970 to July 1973 Dames ventured out into his own business, Tim’s Refrigeration, which he is still operating to this date. ​

#Dames has proudly served as a member of the parish council, president of the men’s ministry and the parish building committee. He is also a charter member and a past president of the Rotary Club Of New Providence. His hobbies are fishing and lawn tennis. ​

#Godet is a 1991 graduate of Aquinas College. She has extensive experience in the Financial Services Industry. Her career began at the Accounting Firm of Ernst & Young as a Staff Accountant. She then joined Butterfield Trust Bahamas Limited, a private Bank and Trust Company.

#Godet is currently employed with a leading offshore bank as a Fiduciary Officer. She holds an Associate’s degree in Accounting Management, Bachelor’s Degree in Administration, Banking Certificate and is a member of the Society of Trust & ​Estates Practitioners. ​

#She is married and has two children. She, along with her daughter, are members of the BLTA. Her hobbies include Traveling & Event Planning.

#McDonald is the president of the Abaco Tennis Association (ATA). She was introduced to the game of tennis in 2015 and took on the responsibility of forming an association with the hopes of getting communities, schools, churches, club resorts and families involved.

#She was born in Jamaica, but moved to the Island of Abaco in 2004. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting and is currently the Executive Assistant Manager at a Private Resort called the Abaco Sporting Club.

#Clarke is a 1983 graduate of Government High School and a 1988 graduate of Prairie View A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. He is a Senior Food Technologist at the Ministry of Agriculture.

#Clarke is a 10-year member of the BLTA and a founding member of TPAC (Tennis Parent Action Committee). He is also a member of Southwest Tennis Club and is the father of top junior female tennis players, Sydney, who is ranked at 261 by the ITF and toured the English-speaking Caribbean and Florida junior ITF Circuit with her.

#Mactaggart is an enthusiastic supporter of tennis at all levels. As the mother of competitive juniors Jackson and Patrick, Mactaggart is familiar with the junior tennis circuits in the Bahamas and internationally. She is an active member of the International Tennis Club (IC) of the Bahamas.

#On the court, Mactaggart is a competitive club player. She has won Bahamas Senior Nationals titles in ladies and mixed doubles. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia, a Bachelor of Laws from Queen’s University, and a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics (London, UK).

#A lawyer by profession, Mactaggart worked in private law practice in Canada and banking and financial services in the Bahamas. She believes strongly in the awesome power of sport to inspire and unite people and communities.

#Munroe is an avid fan of tennis and has been for many years. He has also been intimately involved with Tennis as both a player and a roving umpire for the past 14 years.

#Munroe’s dream and hopes are to see as many young players become involved with tennis as players and beyond, even to the level of Grand Slam Champions.

#Taylor has been an educator for the past thirty six years (36). He began his career in August 1984 at Saint Cecilia’s Primary School after receiving an Associate Degree in Education from North West Community College, Powell, Wyoming.

#He taught grades three (3) and five (5) until 1987 when he requested academic leave to further his studies. After completing a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA.

#In 1989, Taylor was assigned to teach fourth grade at Saint Thomas More Primary School. He taught at Saint Thomas More until June 1998 when he was appointed Administrative Assistant at Saint Cecilia’s Primary School. During his tenure at Saint Thomas More, Taylor continued to upgrade and educate himself by pursuing a master’s degree in Elementary School Administration during the summer vacation periods. In July 1998 he completed the program.

#Taylor’s hobbies include playing tennis, reading novels, watching professional sports such as tennis, basketball, football and track and field. He continually updates his educational knowledge by attending educational conferences and workshops. He is married and is a proud father of one son, Johnathan.

Mlb: International Signing Period Begins Jan. 15

As of Thursday, June 18, 2020

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#As the status of the 2020 Major League Baseball season hangs in the balance, the organisation made a decision that could affect several Bahamian prospects.

#MLB officially announced that the International Signing Period will be postponed from its traditional July 2 date and will now begin on January 15.

#According to Baseball America, the move was another cost cutting measure by the MLB as negotiations on the 2020 season continue.

#“The MLBPA agreed to allow teams to defer all but $100,000 of draft signing bonuses into 2021 and 2022, but international amateurs signing bonuses were not automatically deferred in that March agreement,” the report said. “With MLB teams across baseball trying to save on cash flow, pushing the signing period to next January will keep teams issuing from multi-million dollar cheques this summer, pushing those expenses into 2021 instead.”

#International Elite Sports Academy products Adari Grant and Kristin Munroe were listed by MLB Pipeline as some of the top infield prospects in the current class and were considered highly sought after prospects. The Bahamian pair were the only players from the English-speaking Caribbean on a list dominated by prospects from the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Venezuela.

#The players who are eligible to sign (anyone who turns 16 by August 31 this year) will remain the same in the delayed signing period which will conclude December 15, 2021. The current 2019-20 international signing period was set to expire earlier this week, but was extended through October 15, 2020. Despite the extension, teams are unable to sign players due to the MLB’s transaction freeze.

#The international signing period is a time when many Bahamian prospects have signed minor league deals in recent years.

#MLB is negotiating a proposal that could lead to a shortened season that begins in July. The MLB draft was also shortened to just five rounds.

#The international signing period is when major league clubs sign amateurs from anywhere outside the United States. MLB can push the 2020-21 period back to January 2021, and the 2021-22 period back to January 2022. Teams will also not be allowed to trade international bonus slots in 2020 or 2021.

#As a byproduct of the COVID-19 fallout there has also been a reported agreement in place with the MLB to reduce the number of minor league affiliate teams by 40.

#MiLB currently fields 160 teams across its various leagues, but that number could be reduced to as much as 120 and the remaining teams could face realignment.

#Prior to the suspension of all baseball activity, many of the 16 Bahamian players in the minor leagues had yet to receive their assignments for the upcoming season. Up to press time last night, the MLB and players’ association continued their negotations. MLB sent a proposal for a 60-game season at full prorated pay.

Life Prep Academy Pipeline For Bahamian Student Athletes

As of Thursday, June 18, 2020

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#LIFE Prep Academy continues to be a pipeline for Bahamian student athletes across various sporting disciplines.

#Over the course of the past two months, the school has announced several new additions to its institution in Wichita, Kansas to join its basketball, track and field, football and soccer programmes.

#Former CI Gibson Rattlers point guard Kenvon Farrington was the latest addition last week.

#“We are excited to announce that Kenvon Farrington will be bringing his talents to Life Prep Academy” the LPA staff said.

#“He is an explosive point guard who has an exceptional work ethic. Kenvon is a great leader on and off the court. We can’t wait to get him here and get to work.”

#D’Angelo Dawkins is another addition to the basketball programme.

#“D’Angelo is 15 years old. He is a 6’2 combo guard that is ranked one of the top up and coming basketball players in the Bahamas,” the LPA staff said. “He is a huge offensive threat who can shoot from the outside and get to the rim. D’Angelo is a great kid with an extreme work ethic. He takes his academics serious as well. His goal is to continue to develop as a student athlete and earn a division one basketball scholarship when he graduates. We can’t wait to get him here and get to work.”

#On the soccer pitch, they added Ainsley Brown.

#“A 5’9 190lb goalie/striker. Ainsley has helped his team in the Bahamas win five championships. His goal is to earn a college scholarship and play professional soccer in Europe,” LPA said.

#“Ainsley is a great student with a strong work ethic and we can’t wait to have him here next year.”

#On the baseball diamond, 6’2” 235 power hitter Jeffrey Pierre has also committed and plans to play two sports with the addition of football to his athletic résumé.

#“A first baseman/outfielder from Freeport, Bahamas, he is a great athlete who has a lot of pop. Jeffrey will definitely add another power bat to the heart of our lineup. He will also be a big addition to our football programme,” he said. “We are grateful for a hard working, talented, student athlete like Jeffrey to choose Life Prep Academy.”

#Roheim Kelly will join both the athletics and football programmes. “Roheim is a 5’11 220lb football player from the Bahamas. He also plays other sports, including track, where he was the national gold medallist in the discus,” LPA said.

#Jace Smith will also be an addition to the gridiron.

#“Jace is a 5’9 230lb football player. He is strong, athletic and excited to push himself towards his ultimate goal of earning a college scholarship,” LPA said. “Jace will be in Grade 11, so he will have two years to develop under our coaching staff. We are blessed to add a highly motivated, good character kid to our programme.”

#Several Bahamians starred athletically for Life Prep last season, highlighted by Traimaine Ferguson and underclassman Michael Johnson on the basketball court.