PRESS RELEASE – Trinbago Knight Riders and St. Lucia Zouks coaches Simon Helmot and Stuart Williams, respectively, were joined by captains Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy on Tuesday for a joint media conference in Port of Spain, Trinidad on the eve of the Hero Caribbean Premier League opener between the two sides at Queen’s Park Oval on Wednesday night (9pm).

In addition, there are exclusive interviews with TKR Chief Mentor Jacques Kallis and the Zouks’ South African internationalDavid Miller as they look ahead to their side’s chances on Wednesday night and for the CPL campaign ahead.

Tickets for all Trinbago Knight Riders fixtures are on sale now from the Queen’s Park Oval Ticket Office and fromwww.cplt20.com.

Upcoming Fixture: 29 June – Trinbago Knight Riders v St. Lucia Zouks (9pm)

1. LUCIA ZOUKS: David Miller, Shane Watson, Darren Sammy (captain), Michael Hussey, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Morne Morkel, Denesh Ramdin (to be replaced by Miguel Cummins after 11 July), Derone Davis, Grant Elliott, Kristopher Ramsaran, Shane Shillingford, Delorn Johnson, Kyle Mayers, Keddy Lesporis, Nitish Kumar, Gidron Pope

TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS: Dwayne Bravo (captain), Brendon McCullum, Darren Bravo, Sunil Narine, Hashim Amla, Umar Akmal, Kevon Cooper, Sulieman Benn, Colin Munro, Anton Devcich, Ronsford Beaton, Nikita Miller, Javon Searles, William Perkins, Yannick Cariah, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Hamza Tariq, Anderson Phillip

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The 2016 edition of the National Individual Track and Field Championships always promised to be something special. Registered for the meet at the George Odlum Stadium were almost 20 athletes who are either professionals, current, former, or soon-to-be collegiate athletes in the United States or elsewhere.

The headliners were the island’s two confirmed 2016 Olympians, women’s high jumpers Levern Spencer and Jeanelle Scheper, along with Olympic hopefuls like combined events athlete Makeba Alcide, sprinters Corneil Lionel, Jahvid Best, and Rosen Daniel.

Scores of spectators, including friends and family of the international and local-based competitors, turned out to support their favourites and the sport at the two-day meet, which included over a dozen clubs and schools from Saint Lucia and Martinique. With the stands at the stadium condemned, all present braved the Vieux Fort sun, huddled in a cluster of tents dotted about by the organisers, or sheltered beneath the eaves of the superstructure.

Among those in attendance were soon to be sailing Olympian, Stephanie Devaux-Lovell; West Indies captain, Darren Sammy; International Olympic Committee member, Mr. Richard Peterkin; Minister for Equity, Social Justice, Empowerment, Youth Development, Sports, Culture and Local Government, Honourable Lenard Montoute; Minister in the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Empowerment, Youth Development, Sports, Culture and Local Government, Honourable Edmund Estephane; Minister in the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Empowerment, Youth Development, Sports, Culture and Local Government, and president of the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee, Inc, Honourable Senator Fortuna Belrose; Permanent Secretary in the Minister for Equity, Social Justice, Empowerment, Youth Development, Sports, Culture and Local Government, Dr. Anthony George.

The feature attraction delivered in spades. Levern defended her national title and continued her strong season by winning with a height of 1.94m, the best performance ever recorded in Saint Lucia (a stadium record). It was also the first time an Olympic qualifying mark had ever been attained on domestic soil. Levern struggled at 1.91m with a calf injury, but it was a nice recovery for her, after she fought through her two recent meets under adverse conditions in Europe. Jeanelle, meanwhile, conquered 1.91m on her first attempt, marking her best effort for the season. Both ladies appear to be rounding nicely into shape ahead of Rio in a few weeks. Disappointing, though, was the lack of participation aside from Levern and Jeanelle. Only two other athletes entered the event.

Conversely, Makeba Alcide achieved the best Heptathlon mark ever seen on island, 5852 points, but did so amongst the biggest combined events field ever for a local meet. Six athletes, including four teenagers, two of them trying combined events for the first time, faced the starter. And that group did not even include either Tennesse Tech freshman Sharnique Leonce or national junior champion Marva Herman. Makeba’s 5852 was also her best mark since she last reset the National Record and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) record of 6050 in 2013. She had one of her best outings in High Jump (1.82m), good efforts in Shot Put (12.91m), 200m (24.46), and Long Jump (5.86m).

The only event she did not win was Javelin Throw, where silver medallist Shamalyn Albert and bronze medallist Rochelle Etienne are comparatively strongest, but even there, her mark of 36.15 is a decent showing, and a run of 2:24.76 took her just out of record contention. With one more chance to qualify for Rio, Makeba is looking strong.

The men’s sprints featured a first-time matchup between Jahvid and Corneil, the former NFL running back and the former Abilene Christian University student athlete appearing to hit it off at once. Corneil, the defending champion, recaptured the men’s 100m title in 10.35, with Jahvid three hundreds of a second back. Former CARIFTA finalist Jovan Stephen crossed in 10.64 to finish third. Jovan won the 200m, however, finishing in 21.58, as Corneil – the National Record holder – pulled up lame, and Corneil’s former university teammate, Rosen Daniel, faded. Rosen had had enough, though, to run 47.26 for victory in the 400m. The youth (under-18) boys’ sprints saw Jean Meachel Etienne doing the 1-2 double, and Reuben Nichols running a personal-best 50.82 in the 400 to beat Randy Serville.

Amongst the women, the clashes were between Jamaica-based youth sprinter Julien Alfred, Wiley College freshman Natasha Poleon, former collegian Pernell Joseph, and scholarship hopeful Allana Paul. Julien doubled up in the 100 and 200, beating Pernell and Isha Blanchard in the one, Allana, Natasha and Verlyn Taylor in the other. Allana held Natasha off on the home straight to take the 400 title. The youth races were won by Desray Desir, and Britney Benjamin doing the 200-400 double.

Another keenly anticipated contest was the men’s 800m, where Wiley College runner and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) champion Marbeq Edgar and Coppin State University’s Michael James have both gone under 1:50 this season, whilst Holy Family University’s Taurai Augustin and home-based athlete Daniel Eugene have dipped under 1:58.

Taurai and Daniel ran personal-best times in the final, but it was all about Marbeq and Michael, the tousle-haired Marbeq getting the win in 1:49.88 (fastest time ever by a Saint Lucian on home soil), with Michael fewer than two seconds behind him in 1:51.25. It was a far closer contest than the 1500, where Marbeq simply ran away from Michael and Taurai. Randy Serville was victorious in the boys’ 800m, over Reuben Nichols.

Although she did not attend university on a sports scholarship, veteran athlete Theodora Henry is indeed a degree-holder, having graduated from Grambling University. She pushed Kamillah Monroque to a new personal-best in the 1500m run, before Kamillah came back to win the 800m and 5000m with very little resistance. Still, Kamillah is yet to achieve a true breakout season, and she will be looking for far stronger performances in 2017.

Michael Mega Boost Biscette has been building a name for himself in distance running around the region, and he upheld that good name by winning the men’s 5000m.

Kevin Norville ended up doing the Triple Jump as an exhibition event, whereas the men’s Long Jump had eight athletes. University of Wyoming graduate Lenyn Leonce built on what has been a strong season to date, winning in 7.34m, with Cal State Fullerton-bound Desran Desir second with 7.25m, a personal best.

Also of note – Ace Louis won men’s High Jump over Mickey Ferdinand. Neema Leon cleared a personal-best 5.75m to win women’s Long Jump. Amber Lucien won all three women’s throws. Jean-Pierre Frederick won both boys’ Shot Put and Discus Throw, with a personal best in Shot Put. The men’s throws were woefully and sadly undersubscribed, with two competitors in Javelin Throw, one in Shot Put, and none in Discus Throw.

The juvenile (under-15) athlete had a wonderful opportunity to rub shoulers with their storied compatriots, and they took full advantage. Perhaps inspired by being in the company of so many local luminaries, they too turned in some top marks. Rising stars Zoe Dorville, Kemuel Pelage and Danzel Philbert, young rockets Miguel Charlery and Thomyka Valcent, Shirniah Emmanuel and Asa Francis, Joy Edwards and Youry Goldery of Martinique all excelled over the course of the two days.

Next up for several of the elite athletes will be the OECS Championships this coming weekend in the British Virgin Islands, and the North and Central American and Caribbean Under-23 Championships in El Salvador, where Jeanelle and Marbeq could be among those to feature.

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Saint Lucia’s men’s team finished sixth at the North and Central American and Caribbean (NORCECA) Beach Volleyball Men’s Continental Cup in Nuevo Guaymas, Mexico, this past week. Their women’s team failed to make the knockout rounds.

Cuba were the men’s champions, claiming the ticket to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in a few weeks. Cuba beat Mexico 3-1 in the final.

On the way, Cuba beat Saint Lucia 3-0. Saint Lucia also lost to Nicaragua 2-1 in the classification playoff, the team of Mora and Lopez beating Coen Caesar and Tevin St Jean 21-14, 21-9, Joseph Clercent and Julian Bissette getting Saint Lucia’s sole win, 16-21, 21-16, 15-13 over Contreras and Lopez, and then losing to Mora and Lopez 15-11 in the superset. It was the second time the Saint Lucians had taken their Central American counterparts to a superset, with the same result.

Saint Lucia were also beaten by Puerto Rico 3-1, Morales/Ribas winning over Caesar/St Jean 21-14, 21-12, Clercent/Bissette holding off Soto/Rodriguez 21-18, 14-21, 15-11, before losing to Morales/Ribas 18-21,21-18, 15-13, and then Soto/Rodriguez beating Caesar/St Jean.

But the Saint Lucia quartet prevailed over El Salvador 3-1. After Tato/Pepe bested Caesar/St Jean 21-15, 21-15, Clercent/Bissette defeated Tato/Pepe 21-12, 21-13 to even things up. Caesar/StJean topped Flores/Chavez 21-17, 21-13, and Clercent/Julian won 21-8, 21-17.

The Caribbean islanders also prevailed over Guatemala 3-2, and over Suriname 3-2.

On the women’s side, Saint Lucia’s Jamilla Lansiquot, Skye Mondesir, Dala Noel and Kerin Neptune were beaten 0-3 by Nicaragua and Jamaica to finish well out of contention.

This is the furthest in qualification that Saint Lucia has achieved in Beach Volleyball for Olympic Qualification. Four years ago, Saint Lucia was eliminated in the second round of qualification in both divisions.

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CPL CEO, Damien O’Donohoe, addresses the media at the CPL launch

PRESS RELEASE – As excitement heightens around the much-anticipated Caribbean Premier League, founding partner, Digicel, announced that it has re-signed a multi-year contract as official telecommunications sponsor of the League.

The deal comes on the heels of Digicel’s new four-year agreement with the WICB and therefore represents a significant investment in and commitment to cricket in the region.

Through this partnership, Digicel will keep cricket fans at the edge of the excitement of the 34-game tournament with a host of engaging and interactive activities, including ticket giveaways through social media competitions and half-time shows.

Digicel also promises to ‘Bring the Beat’ to the CPL party stands across its markets with performances by some of the region’s most popular artistes – including Trinidad’s soca monarch, Machel Montano. Headlined by Machel, along with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Usain Bolt, Digicel recently launched its Bring the Beat campaign which uses music and the celebration of extraordinary sporting talents to connect the world to the Caribbean and its culture – making it a fitting element in the biggest party in sport.

The Trinbago Knight Riders Head Coach, Simon Helmot, shares a smile with his players, Hamza Tariq, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Kevon Cooper

Group Director of Marketing for Digicel, Peter Lloyd, said; “It’s gearing up to be an exciting and action-packed CPL season and we’re looking forward to leveraging all our platforms to get fans to the games as well as to deliver live match updates to cricket fans and all customers – whether through mobile apps or through social media.”

Damien O’Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of the CPL, said; “We are thrilled to have Digicel on board again for the next four years. Its partnership has helped the tournament to go from strength to strength over the years and can only get better. The CPL is now one of the top three T20 tournaments in the world and something that the people of the Caribbean should be very proud of. We have attracted some of the biggest names in world cricket and are set for another memorable campaign for the biggest party in sport.

“CPL has big ambitions to grow the tournament even further and having sponsors such as Digicel on board will help us extend our brand both locally across the Caribbean and North America, and beyond.

CPL CEO, Damien O’Donohoe, does the champion dance with the young cricketers of Trinidad and Tobago

“Without Digicel, CPL would not be possible and we are indebted to their support. Digicel has demonstrated its commitment to West Indies cricket for many years and have played a big part in the success of the men’s, women’s and Under-19 teams in recent months. On the eve of the fourth instalment of CPL, it is an enormous boost to extend our partnership and we look forward to continuing our strong work together over the coming years.”

Digicel also commits to continue to nurture and grow cricket in the region by developing grassroots and high school programmes to and create a platform for young cricketers to always put their best foot forward. As such, other activities on Digicel’s CPL agenda include school visits as well as hosting kids at each game across the region.

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Team Saint Lucia has come through all three of its training sessions ahead of the XXI Caribbean Island Swimming Championships (CISC). This year, CISC is being hosted by the Bahamas at the Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatic Centre. 29 territories are entered, including all 21 members of the Central American and Caribbean Swimming Federation, CCCAN.

The meet represents the last chancae for a number of athletes to attain natural qualification for the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Carol Mangal, president of the Saint Lucia Amateur Swimming Association, has expressed her confidence that Saint Lucian swimmers can and will achieve qualifying standards. Only one swimmer from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States has ever made the times set by the world governing body for swimming, FINA, to compete at the Olympics.

Seeking to emulate that feat by Danielle Beaubrun from 2011 will be Jordan Augier, Joshua Runako Daniel, and Jean-Luc Zephir. Jordan, Saint Lucia’s 2015 Sportsman of the Year, was three hundredths of a second away from qualifying at the Pan Am Games in Canada last year. Like Jordan, Runako is based in the United States. His times have not been as close, but he will have trained hard for this opportunity.

Jean-Luc is a bit of a mystery package. Never having represented Saint Lucia on the regional or international level, he actually appears in the results for CARIFTA 2010 under Martinique. He has also competed in France, where he is based. Projecting from seed times, he does not appear to be especially close to Olympic times, but he also has faster times from 2014 in a 25-metre pool than his 50m times this year.

In another minor anomaly,the event in which Jordan is likeliest to make the Olympic time – the 50m Freestyle – is not the one where he looks likeliest to medal. Entered for five events, however, his best medal chance going in appears to be the 50m Backstroke. He has the fourth best time going into that one.

Katie Kyle is a contender for medals in the 13-14 girls 50m and 100m Butterfly. Aged 13, she has the second-fastest times in those two events, behind only England-based Bermuda swimmer, Emma Harvey. Mikaili Charlemagne is ranked fourth in the 11-12 girls 50m Freestyle.

Aside from the athletes already mentioned, the team includes Allandre Cross in the 11-12 boys, Jyasi Daniel in the 15-17 boys, and coach Jamie Peterkin, who will also be taking to the water. Constance Rene accompanies Team Saint Lucia as manager.

The meet runs until 5 July 2017. CISC is a biennial aquatics championships held in even years since 1976. For the 2016 edition, CISC includes competition in all five aquatic disciplines of FINA: swimming, open water, diving, water polo, and synchronized swimming.

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PRESS RELEASE – The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association in collaboration with the WICB, Scotiabank and Ministry of Education will be hosting the 2016 Kiddy Cricket Festival Final on Thursday, 30th June, 2016 at the Mindoo Phillip Park from 9am.

The eight winning primary schools from each of the education districts will be vying for championship honors. To date the following schools have qualified for tomorrow’s finals:
District 2 – Camille Henry
District 3 – Marchand Combined
District 4 – Lady Gordon
District 5 – Richfond Combined
District 6 – Vige
District 7 – Banse Combined

Prior to the start of the matches the teams will be addressed by representatives of Scotiabank, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sports and the local cricket association. A brief awards ceremony will be held at the conclusion of the day’s activities with prizes being awarded to the winning school, outstanding batsman, bowler, fielder and festival MVP.

Augier of District 6 were last year’s champions.

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PRESS RELEASE – 2014 champions St Mary’s College and Entrepot Secondary are meeting today to decide the 2016 Ministry of Youth Development and Sports Inter Secondary Schools Under-15 Cricket Tournament.

The game is being played at the Gros Islet Playing Field, and will feature several national and Windward Islands youth players.

St Mary’s College return to the venue where they thrashed Micoud Secondary by 155 runs in the semifinals. In a match reduced to 40 overs a side due to a late start, SMC made 268/9, led by half centuries from national U15 player Jahan Boodha (85) and Jervel Dupres (55). Boodha hit 12 fours, Dupres four fours and a six, against a bowling attack led by the tournament’s top wicket-taker, Garvin Seriux. Garvin added just one wicket to his tally, whilst Joannas Joseph took three for six in one over.

Micoud were dismissed for just 113 in 24.4 overs, desite another 50 from Garvin Serieux, who is also the tournament’s leading run scorer with 480 runs. He hit 63 with seven fours and three sixes. No other batsman reached double figures. Zidane Arthur had career best bowling figures of six wickets for four runs, including that of Garvin.

In the other semifinal, Entrepot secured a narrow seven-run win over Choiseul Secondary. The game was reduced to 25 overs a side due to a late start.

Entrepot made 163/8, Ephron Charles 59 (seven fours and a six) and national player, captain Tyrel Chicot 38. For Choiseul, Kervey Rosemond took 3/34, Darvel Edward 2/36.

Choiseul fought valiantly to get to the target, but ended on 156 all out in their allotted 25 overs. Jim Peter led the scoring with 41, Darvel Edward made 35, Sky La Feuille 17, Marley Hunte 16. Deandre Edward took 4-12.

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The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association in collaboration with the West Indies Cricket Board, Scotiabank, and the Ministry of Education will be hosting the 2016 Kiddy Cricket Festival Final on Thursday, 30th June, 2016 at the Mindoo Phillip Park from 9am.

The eight winning primary schools from each of the education districts will be vying for championship honors. To date, six schools have been confirmed for the Thursday finale.

The Camille Henry Memorial School will represent District 2 (North Castries). Marchand Combined were the champions of District 3. The Lady Gordon Opportunity Centre won District 4. Richfond Combined captured the District 5 crown. Vigier Combined were victorious in District 6, unseating defending national champions, Augier Combined. And District 7 was captured by Banse Combined.

Prior to the start of the matches the teams will be addressed by representatives of Scotiabank, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sports and the local cricket association. A brief awards ceremony will be held at the conclusion of the day’s activities with prizes being awarded to the winning school, outstanding batsman, bowler, fielder and festival Most Valuable Player.

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Saint Lucia conceded first innings points to a powerful Grenada team in their opening round clash of the 2016 WINLOTT Windward Islands Under-19 Cricket Tournament, being played in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

At the Sion Hill Grounds, Grenada compiled 224 all out on the opening day, a score that could have been bigger but for an afternoon collapse. Yohan Jeremiah made 96, before Shervin George captured his wicket. It was the first of three for George, who gave up just 32 runs in his 17 overs, delivering five maidens.

In Saint Lucia’s reply, George aagin was the only real standout, facing 99 balls for his 35, batting one down. Vernilius Gabriel added 27 off 107 further down the order, but Saint Lucia’s batting lineup failed to live up to expectations against a balanced bowling attack. Saint Lucia were all out for 127 in 61.4 overs.

In their second innings, Grenada made 114 for 7 at the close of play, having faced 36 overs. Joshua Mann and Kester Charlemagne each took two wickets. Shervin George added another.

Meanwhile, at Arnos Vale, the home team took a first innings lead over Dominica. The visitors were 189 all out, to which St Vincent and the Grenadines replied with 196. In the second innings, Dominica declared on 193/8, before St Vincent and the Grenadines closed on 123/7.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Saint Lucia plays the home team at tyhe Sion Hill Grounds.

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Spencer

Saint Lucia is sending a 19-member team to this weekend’s Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Track and Field Championships.

The British Virgin Islands will host the second edition of the revived championship meet 2-3 July at the AO Shirley Recreation Grounds in Road Town, Tortola. ‘Top flight competition’ is expected from Anguilla, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, Dominica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. Saint Lucia are defending champions, having won the inaugural meet in St Kitts and Nevis two years ago.

The Saint Lucia team is led by Olympic qualifiers, Levern Spencer and Jeanelle Scheper. The top high jumpers in the Caribbean, much less the OECS, both are coming off strong performances at the Saint Lucia National Championships. Jeanelle is the defending champion at the OECS meet, but she is likely to have to raise her game to hold off her veteran compatriot, who defeated her last weekend on home turf.

The team also includes combined events athletes Makeba Alcide and Shamalyn Albert. With no Heptathlon or hurdles on the schedule, both are likely to compete in Shot Put and Javelin Throw, and perhaps one of them will do Long Jump as well.

Martinique-based Sandisha Antoine will surely compete in Long Jump as well as Triple Jump, coming off her participation at the French National Championships, where she finished fifth in Triple Jump.

Jamaica-based youth sprinter Julien Alfred is fresh off double national titles back home, and she will be seeking to test herself against much more experienced and powerful competition.

Shamalyn is the only locally-based female athlete, with national 400m champion Allana Paul, triple champion Kamillah Monroque, and combined events athlete Rochelle Etienne all having been ignored.

Saint Lucia could contend against a very strong field in the women’s 4x100m, though it is unlikely that a 4x400m team will be in play.

The bulk of the team is made up of male athletes. There will be a men’s and women’s team title in play.

Male Athlete of the Year, Albert Reynolds will be seeking to top what should be a very classy group of athletes in the men’s Javelin Throw. He will be joined by 20-year-old Denzel St Marthe, though he would appear to be fighting above his weight class. This could be Albert’s last chance to make the Olympic standard, after finishing third at the French National Championships last weekend.

Saint Lucia will definitely contend in both men’s relays, with a very deep group, though the level of competition in the relays is likely to be extremely high. Barbados, Olympic-qualified St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda all go under 40 seconds, and with Saint Lucia leaving National Record holder Jahvid Best out of their team, they are looking for a big ask.

Fomer collegiate athlete Rosen Daniel could go in the 400m and 200m. In the latter event, he would be joined by former collegiate teammate, Corneil Lionel, who would also contest the 100. It will be interesting to see what happens with 200m national champion, Jovan Stephen, who is on the team, along with 200m silver medallist, Jonathan Celestin, 400m silver medallist, Marvric Pamphile, and junior sprinter, Nick Joseph.

The middle and long distance challenge will be well contested by Marbeq Edgar and Michael James, who have been doing great things this season in the 800m, but will also go in the 1500m. Winsbert Sylvester will compete in the 5000m men, with national champion Michael ‘Mega Boost’ Biscette travelling to compete in another race elsewhere.

Back in the field, Ace Louis will be competing in men’s High Jump. Former CARIFTA champion Lenyn Leonce will take on the men’s Long Jump.

Of the 13 men, eight are presently home-based, although Lenyn is a former collegiate athlete.

The meet’s Most Outstanding Male Athlete will walk off with the Joseph “Reds” Perreira Award, named in honor of the founder of the OECS Championships, while the Female Athlete of the Meet will take home the Veda Bruno-Victor award, in honor of the longtime regional administrator.

Saint Lucia’s team is accompanied by Theodore Henry Bailey and Denise Herman as coaches, and Kim Jackson as physiotherapist. The team’s participation is faciliated by the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee, Incorporated.

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CRICBUZZ – Led by Johnson Charles’s 38-ball 52, St Lucia Zouks stunned the defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders in the opening encounter of Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2016 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain on Thursday (June 30).

The West Indian opener gave a demonstration of brutal hitting with his powerful strokes as he led an unbiased attack on each of the Knight Riders’ bowlers. After putting on a 47-run stand off 35 balls with Shane Watson (16 off 15 balls) for the opening wicket, he went on to add 46 runs off 35 balls with Andre Fletcher for the second wicket and placed his side comfortably in the chase.

The momentum hit a brief bump when Charles and Fletcher fell in quick succession. Nonetheless, the experienced duo of Michael Hussey and David Miller ensured that no panic ensued in the chase. While the former worked the ball around the ground for quick singles and twos, the latter chose to take the aerial route.

Two of the best T20 bowlers in the world – Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine could do little to keep a check on the scoring or pose too much threat to their chase by not picking enough wickets. In the end, the target was chased down in 19.1 overs and with six wickets in hand.

Earlier in the day, Darren Sammy, St Lucia Zouks skipper, won the toss and elected to field. With a bit of dew on offer in the second innings, chasing was always going to be an easier path to victory.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

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PRESS RELEASE – The Gros Islet Football League in collaboration with the St. Lucia Football Association and Twist 2 for 1 Bar hosted is 2nd Promotional Football Tournament on Wednesday 29th June at the Grand Revere Playing Field.

The game featured Dominators FC vs Monchy.  Dominators FC took the lead in the 1st half with a goal from Angee Hippolyte in the 8th minutes and another goal from Curtly Auguste in the 24th minutes ending the 1st half 2-0.

The 2nd half of the game saw Monchy equalizing with goals from Kerdel Nelson in the 48th minutes and Oneil Nelson in the 50th minutes. Dominators FC however took the lead with 2 more goals from Davidson Henry in the 65th minutes and Kwame Augustin in the 84th minutes giving Dominators FC the win over Monchy at the end of the game 4-2.

The competition will continue on Sunday 3rd July at 4:00 pm at the Grand Revere Playing field featuring Monchy vs GMC United.

The Gros Islet Football League would like to thank the sponsors Twist 2 for 1 bar and the St. Lucia Football Association for their support.  The winner at the end of the Competition will be elevated to play the SLFA Presidents Cup 2016

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PRESS RELEASE – Please note the following results from the matches played by WASCO in the Commercial Volleyball League Tournament:

v WASCO vs. CFL – WASCO Lost
v WASCO vs. LUCELEC – WASCO Won
v WASCO vs. FLOW – WASCO Won

WASCO will be playing its fourth (4th) game in the 2016 Commercial Volleyball League Tournament against COMBINED FORCES at the Beausejour Indoor Facility tomorrow June 29th, 2016 from 8:30p.m. onwards.  We currently rank 2nd in the tournament… yayyyyy!!!! See attached team standing.

Come out in large numbers to support our team as we battle to the end.

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PRESS RELEASE – Education district 5 spans from Grand Riviere Secondary in the Mabouya Valley to Anse Ger Secondary in Micoud.

This year District 5 sports committee will host its inaugural t10 cricket competition for Secondary School students.  The participating schools are as follows:

• Grand Riviere Secondary
• Clendon MAson Secondary
• Micoud Secondary
• Anse Ger Secondar

Schedule for the games will be as follows:

July 4th, 2016 the female t10 cricket competition

July 6th, 2015 the male t10 cricket competition.

The action bowls off at 9:00am on both said dates at the Dennery Cricket Grounds. Students from all the school in district 5 are encouraged to come out and support the athletes. Persons from the community of Dennery and environs are also asked to show full support to this activity.  students get a chance to win prizes at both cricket games. Many fun activites on these days as well.

Some of these activities include:

• Hit wicket challenge
• Predict the score
• Ball throw

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PRESS RELEASE – Here are the scores for games played on Wednesday 29th June 2016.

June 29, 2016- LUCELEC went up against FLOW.

FLOW emerged as the winners defeating LUCELEC

0-2 (21:25, 24:26)

June 29, 2016- Police took on Consolidated Foods Ltd.

Police defeated. Consolidated Foods Ltd.

2-0 (25:22, 25:14)

June 29, 2016- Combined Forces faced WASCO

WASCO defeated Combined Forces

0-2 (25:27, 23:25)

Matches continue on Friday 1st July.

• Police vs WASCO 6:30PM
• LUCELEC vs Consolidated Foods Ltd. 7:30PM
• Police vs FLOW 8:30PM

All games are held at the Beausejour Indoor Facility. Entrance fee is EC$5.00.

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St Mary’s College regained the title they last lifted two years ago, when they beat Entrepot Secondary on Wednesday at Grios Islet to become the 2016 Ministry of Youth Development and Sports Secondary Schools Under-15 Cricket Tournament champions.

In the tournament’s grand finale, SMC were invited to take first knock in a match reduced to 40 overs a side due to a late start. The Samarians played all 40, scoring 194 before losing their final wicket with the last ball of the match. Julius Charles top scored with 36, Jervel Dupres made 28, Ackeem Auguste 24, and Jehan Boodha 20.

Entrepot Secondary’s wicket takers were Jaden La Feuille, 3-25; Samuel Cadette 2-22; captain Tyrel Chicot 2-41; and a wicket apiece to Ryan Goodman and Denzel Roberts.

In reply, Entrepot Secondary began well, with opening batsmen Ephron Charles (24) and Tyrel Chicot (22) scoring freely, but persistent pressure from SMC saw ESS losing wickets steadily. They were eventually dismissed for 106 in 24.1 overs, and SMC won by 88 runs. Denzel Roberts remained on 13 not out.

For SMC, Zidane Arthur picked up 3-26, Anselm Gittens 3-27, Jervel Dupres and Nyeme Joseph got one each.

The man of the match award went to national Under-15 player Ackeem Auguste, who was responsible for four dismissals behind the stamps, including 2 stumpings.

In a post-match medal ceremony, teams, parents and spectators were addressed by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, Dr Anthony George. He thanked especially the parents at hand who continue to give much needed support to their sons and encouraged the young cricketers to pursue for excellence.

The awards for the outstanding performers and performances during the tournament will be presented at the Ministry’s Schools Sports Awards which takes place on Friday at the Gros Islet Secondary School.

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The Saint Lucia National Table Tennis Association staged their Under-13 boys and girls open singles championships at the Castries Table Tennis Centre this week.

In the girls division, former primary school girls champion, Zarianne Anthony (now at St Joseph’s Convent) won all her preliminary matches in straight sets. Current primary school champ, Angelique Richardson of Grande Riviere Primary, also won her preliminary matches in straight sets, as did her schoolmate, Giselle McGowan.

Round robin matches were played to determine the first, second and third place. Giselle beat Angelique 11-9, 11-8. Zarianne defeated Angelique 11-1, 9-11,11-5, and then overcame Giselle 11-6, 11-9.

The boys division saw Independence Day U11 and U13 champion Jelanie Desauzay cruising his way to the final. Izik Narcisse, a student at Castries Comprehensive, also earned a spot in the final, where he promptly stunned Jelanie to win the first set 12-10. Jelanie, though, composed himself and stamped his dominance to win the next two games 11-4, 11-3. This is his second U13 title for 2016.

D’andre Calderon, a student at Grande Riviere Primary, did extremely well to capture the third place.

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PRESS RELEASE – Team Saint Lucia picked up its first medal on Wednesday, the opening day of the XXI Caribbean Island Swimming Championships (CISC), at the Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatic Centre in the Bahamas. The meet is hosted by the Central American and Caribbean Swimming Federation, CCCAN.

It was Saint Lucia’s Sportsman of the Year, Jordan Augier, touching the wall at 26.92 seconds to claim silver in the Boys 18 and Over 50m Backstroke, behind only Jamaica’s Timothy Wynter (26.47). Paraguya’s Charles Hockin and Colombia’s David Cespedes, competing as exhibition swimmers, finished ahead of those two. Jordan made the final with the third best time, 26.80, improving on his 26.95 seed time.

Katie Kyle was expected to contend for a medal in the Girls 13-14 100m Butterfly. She made trhe final with the second-fastest time, behind only British-based Bernuda swimmer, Emma Harvey. In the final, though, Katie was out-touched by the narrowest of margins, finishing fourth in 1:07.09, two hundreds of a second out of bronze, and eight hundredths of a second from silver.

Katie also failed to make the final in 50m Backstroke.

Those two were the only swimmers making finals on the first day of the week-long meet. Joshua Runako Daniel and Jean-Luc Zephir finished 10th and 11th in the Boys 18 and Over 100m Butterfly. Allandre Cross was 12th in the Boys 11-12 50m Backstroke, and 14th in the 100m Butterfly. Mikalai Charlemagne was 12th in the Girls 11-12 50m Backstroke. And Jyasi Daniel finished 13th in the 100m Butterfly.

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PRESS RELEASE – Flow has thrown its support behind a major new government initiative aimed at bringing St. Lucia’s National Olympics team and local students together to motivate and inspire each other as they prepare for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This week Flow partnered with the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Empowerment, Youth Development, Sports, Culture and Local Government for the ‘758 Champions Tour – Olympic Edition,’ an inspirational program designed to give some 600 grade six students from schools around the island the opportunity to meet one-on-one with members of the national Olympic squad.   

They all gathered at the Beausejour Indoor Facility on Thursday and Phillip Marcelin Grounds on Friday along with Ministry officials, including Minister within the Ministry for Equity, Social Justice, Empowerment, Youth Development, Sports, Culture and Local Government, Edmund Estephane Members of St. Lucia’s U-19 cricket team were also invited to the event. Pan Am Games gold medallist high-jumper, and Flow ambassador Levern Spencer joined the team at Friday’s session at the Phillip Marcelin Grounds.

Mr Estephan, a former St. Lucia 100-metre record holder himself, commended the students for showing a keen interest in sports. He urged them to follow the example of St. Lucia’s young Olympic qualifiers. “Sports help you develop a spirit of discipline and character and it can open up doors of opportunities for young people, including competing at the highest levels,” he added.   

Among the Olympic athletes present were Flow’s Ambassador Levern Spencer, ISAF sailor, Stephanie Devaux-Lovell and 2015 NCAA Outdoor high-jump champion, Janelle Schepper. They joined in welcoming the students and told them about the benefits to be gained from being actively involved in sport.  Drawing on their personal experiences, they encouraged the youngsters to take up athletics and other sports and put their heart and soul into it. Among the benefits it provided, they stressed, is the opportunity to travel the world and compete at international sports meets, and the chance to obtain academic scholarships. The students hung on every word.

For the kids, the highlight of the event was getting the chance to interact with the St. Lucia Olympic team members. The girls especially were thrilled to meet the female Olympians and milled around them, chatting away excitedly. They also took photos with them, beaming proudly and basking in the joy of the moment. Both groups later did workout dances together and other exercises. They were clearly having lots of fun.  

Like the rest of her fellow Olympians, Levern Spencer was moved by the experience and the children’s enthusiasm. She said, “It was great to be able to meet with the students and for them to get the opportunity to meet with the local athletes competing in the Olympics. It opens their eyes to possibilities that they may not have considered, including being part of the Olympic movement. There are lots of athletes out there in St. Lucia with great talent and we must do whatever we can to prevent this talent from going to waste,” she said.  

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Anthony George said the Ministry was delighted to have Flow as a partner and thanked the company for sponsoring the event.

He explained that the ‘758 Champions Tour – Olympic Edition’ was designed to elevate the national consciousness towards sports and to aid in developing a culture of excellence among St. Lucia’s youths.

“We want our young people to pursue excellence with vigour and valour, and to appreciate our national sportsmen and women. We also want to make all local sporting events a celebration of the athletes’ achievements and of St. Lucia’s success. Too often parents tell their children sports will not get them anywhere. On the contrary, we have seen many young St. Lucians succeed in getting international scholarships and the opportunity to further their education as a direct result of their involvement in sports, proving that they are not just brilliant at sports but they have also achieved academic excellence, said Mr George.”

Flow St. Lucia Marketing & Communications Executive, Shermalyn Sidonie-John said the company is extremely proud to be associated with such a noble cause and was more than happy to support the Ministry’s efforts at fostering greater appreciation for sports and education among St. Luca’s youths.

“This was a golden opportunity for the students to meet young St. Lucian athletes who have attained the highest levels of sporting achievements and to learn from them what it means to be an Olympian. We felt privileged to be part of it. We wish St. Lucia’s Olympic team great success and ask all St. Lucians and our customers to join in supporting our athletes and to share in the excitement as we get ready to Flow to Rio.”

Flow Sports – the Home of Sports in the Caribbean – is all set to deliver the most comprehensive coverage of the Olympic Games to viewers throughout the Caribbean. As the Caribbean’s only multi-platform Rio 2016 Olympic Games broadcast partner, Flow will be broadcasting the Games in HD across the region on Flow Sports, as well as on up to three additional HD channels.

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