The quest for athletic dominance begins this Wednesday as Harrison College hosts the inaugural phase of the 2026 Dasani Barbados Secondary School Athletic Championship. The Shakira Shorey Field Event Championship will launch the competition, showcasing the raw power and technical precision of the island’s most promising young athletes across multiple disciplines.
Defending champions enter the arena with targets on their backs. Combermere returns to protect its two-time boys’ championship title, while The St Michael School aims to maintain its girls’ crown secured in 2025.
Technical Director Dorian Best expressed full confidence in the championship preparations, confirming that infrastructure setup was proceeding smoothly at the Harrison College venue. “We are currently erecting tents and configuring sectors for the different field event areas,” Best told Barbados TODAY. “All technical systems including computer setups are being finalized for tomorrow’s grand opening.”
The relocation from Queen’s College to Harrison College represents a strategic decision to accommodate all four field events—shot put, javelin, discus, and long jump—which the previous venue could not fully support due to its lack of long jump facilities.
The competition format will feature three preliminary flights with the top eight performers advancing immediately to final rounds. Best noted that participants have adapted well to the separated field and track event structure, calling it “a positive change” that has allowed physical education teachers and team managers to focus their preparation efforts more effectively.
Despite the competitive excitement, attendance restrictions will be implemented due to venue space limitations, with the field event championship closed to the general public. However, fans can anticipate full access to the upcoming track segments scheduled for March at the Usain Bolt Complex, where the Esther Maynard/Shane Brathwaite Zone and Frank Blackman/Sada Williams Zone competitions will unfold.
The week-long interval between field and track events provides additional preparation time for organizers to ensure optimal conditions at the main stadium, promising an exciting continuation of Barbados’ premier secondary school athletic competition.