The Antigua & Barbuda Swimming Federation (ABSF) has officially confirmed the roster of national swimmers that will carry the country’s flag at the 34th edition of the annual Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Swimming Championship, scheduled to take place from November 6 to 8, 2026, at St. Lucia’s Rodney Heights Aquatics Centre.
The bulk of the squad was selected following performances at the recent ABSF Invitational Meet, hosted at the Vipers Pool facility in Langford. The qualifying competition drew athletes from four domestic swimming clubs based in Antigua and Barbuda, alongside a cohort of competitors from neighboring Caribbean islands. The four local programs that fielded athletes at the invitational were Vipers Aquatics, Wadadli Aquatic Racers (WAR), Antigua Athletics Club Storm, and the Marlins Swim Club. Alongside domestic competitors, the ABSF also opened selection eligibility to elite Antiguan and Barbudan swimmers based outside the country, ensuring the strongest possible roster for the regional championship.
In total, the federation has named a maximum of 34 competitors to the main squad, with five additional athletes named as reserves to cover any last-minute withdrawals or injuries. The roster is split across nine age and gender categories, ranging from open 8-and-over divisions up to an 18-and-over senior division. Six of the selected swimmers are currently based overseas: Whittaker Gold, Charlotte Gold, Akasion Sheppard, Selah Wiltshire, Ethan Stubbs-Green, and veteran Olympian Jadon Wuilliez, who earned his spot in the 18-and-over boys division representing Antigua Athletics Club Storm.
The full coaching staff for the delegation has also been ratified by the ABSF. Leading the team will be Wayne Mitchell, head coach of Vipers Aquatics, who will serve as the delegation’s head coach. He will be supported by two assistant coaches: J’air Smith of Wadadli Aquatic Racers and Terrel Bruno of Antigua Athletics Club Storm. Overseeing all off-pool operations for the team will be team manager Kem Warner, who will work alongside a team of chaperones led by Head Chaperone Andrea Roberts-Nicholas. Andriette Sheppard, Kara Ann Spencer, and Jason Weste will round out the chaperone team supporting the young athletes throughout the championship.