Sports

NSC Launches 38th Annual Summer Sports Camps

The National Sports Council’s (NSC) Summer Sports Camp will commence on Monday, July 15, and end on Friday, August 23. Registration starts on Monday, July 1, and runs until Saturday, July 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Blenheim House, My Lords Hill, St. Michael.

Camp Director of NSC’s Summer Camp, Tracey Leacock, made this announcement yesterday, at the launch of the 2024 National Sports Council Summer Camp.

Ms. Leacock also said that camps will be held at Deighton Griffith Secondary; St. George Secondary; Frederick Smith Secondary; NSC’s headquarters at Blenheim; the gym at the National Stadium; Lumber Company grounds at Codrington Road; Aquatic Centre, Garfield Sobers Sports Complex; Seaside Aquatics, Salmonds, St. Lucy; Browne’s Beach; Passage Road Pavilion; and the Table Tennis Centre, Nursery Drive, St. Michael.

NSC’s Director of Sport, Neil Murrell, reflecting on the history and importance of the summer camps, said: “This is the 38th staging of the National Sports Council Summer Camps…. It’s one of our staple highlight programmes for the NSC, over the years. These camps allow campers not only to learn new sports but also to consolidate their existing skills and, [more] importantly, cultivate friendships through sports.”

Mr. Murrell expressed excitement about this year’s programme. “I am particularly pleased this year to be putting on the NSC Summer Camps, which will feature a gamut of sports. We have an array of disciplines, including cricket, football, hockey, badminton, and more. What excites me most is the inclusion of a relatively new sport, Ninja Warriors, for the second year, giving all campers the opportunity to participate, leading up to the Ninja Warriors contest on August 3,” he announced.

Emphasising that the camps would be accessible, the Director stated: “The camp will be decentralised, providing young people across Barbados the opportunity to access these initiatives. Over the years, we have seen individuals who started here reach the highest international levels in sports, such as Akela Jones, Jonathan Jones, Jason Holder, Sada Williams, and Roston Chase. This camp is the perfect opportunity for young people to follow their dreams of excelling in their chosen disciplines.”

He also touched on the need for physical activity, especially in a post-COVID era. “It is essential that our young people engage in physical activity and sport for their overall development. Physical inactivity has increased, leading to childhood obesity. The summer camp provides a framework to increase physical activity and inspire young people towards a healthier future,” he said.

Highlighting the camp’s holistic approach, Mr. Murrell stated that they will “feature exciting cultural tours, ensuring a well-rounded summer camp experience”.

He also thanked the coaches, coaching assistants, and sponsors for making the camp “valuable and beneficial”. This year’s sponsors are C.O. Williams Construction, and Atlantic Marketing’s Blue Waters. (PR/GIS)

Sports

BARBADOS WINS CWI RISING STARS UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP

by David Harris

Defending champions Barbados defeated Guyana by 44 runs to retain their title in Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Under-19 Championship at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua on Wednesday.

Needing to avoid defeat in their fifth and final match of the tournament to clinch the title, the Barbadian lads scored 209 for eight wickets, before bowling out Guyana for 160 in 45.3 overs.

Barbados were wobbling at 71 for four wickets, after winning the toss and opting to bat. Captain Justin Parris made an attractive 38 runs from 40 balls, the left-handed batsman struck five fours, but his dismissal in the sixteenth over left Barbados in a precarious position. Seth Smith (47) and Rajeev Parsooram (21) repaired the early damage with a crucial fifth-wicket partnership of 61 runs, before Parsooram was dismissed by left-arm pacer Brandon Henry.

After Parsooram’s wicket fell; Smith added 40 vital runs for the sixth wicket with Yuvraj Persaud who made 19, Smith’s rearguard inning ended innings ended when he was dismissed by Henry in the 43rd over, the wicketkeeper/ batsman faced 75 balls and counted four boundaries. Asher Brandford 18 and Zarell Harding 15 not out ensured that Barbados posted a total over 200 runs.

Medium pacer Reyaz Laif took three wickets for 34 runs, he was supported by fast bowler Usain Fredericks two wickets for 53 runs,, and Henry who picked up two wickets for 24 runs.

Chasing 210 for victory, Guyana slumped to 55 for five wickets in the 17^th over as the Bajan bowlers took early wickets; but a defiant knock of 50 runs from Henry briefly give the Guyanese hope. Henry faced 88 balls and lead a lower resistance that saw Guyana to 156 for eight wickets before he was bowled by Parsooram. After Henry was dismissed Guyana’s innings ended quickly.

Brandford captured three wickets for 19 runs with his medium pace; he was supported by fellow medium pacers Joshua Thomas and Parsooram with two wickets for 35 runs and 19 runs respectively, while Parris picked up two wickets with his leg-spin.

Sports

JAYDEN WINS GOLD AT CARIFTA GAMES

by David Harris

Jayden Green captured Barbados’ lone gold medal at the 52nd CARIFTA Games which ended at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, in Mucrapo, Trinidad on Monday night. The 17-year-old student of the Christ Church Foundation School won the Under-20 Boys’ 200 metres at the three -day track and field meeting in 20,93 seconds ahead of Jamaicans Tyreece Foreman (20.95) and Junior Galimore (21.01); Green is the first Barbadian to win the event since Mario Burke in 2015.

The rest of team collected five silver and eight bronze medals with several athletes recording personal best. Barbados won 14 medals at the games, their best performance since the 2016 Games in Grenada where they won 20 medals.

Sports

GET READY FOR THE NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES

Calendar lists all the events from May to September 2025

NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES field events will begin on Saturday, May 31, at Queen’s College, Husbands, St. James, while the road races, involving running, cycling, walking, and skating, will take place on Sunday, June 1, on the Mighty Grynner Highway. Monday, June 9, will see the culmination of the track events at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex.