The 36th annual Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Bridge Championships is set to kick off later this month, and Caribbean island nation Saint Lucia has announced a 10-person delegation set to compete at the tournament, which will run from June 26 to 28 at Dominica’s iconic Fort Young Hotel in the capital city of Roseau.
Leading the official Saint Lucian national squad selected by the Saint Lucia Bridge Association are two pre-ranked competitive pairs. The first pairing matches experienced competitors Irvin Smith and Victor Theodore, while the second brings together Naomi Patrick-Smith and John Lewis. This core team already has a strong track record of high-stakes tournament performance: in last year’s championship, Smith and Theodore claimed the second-place spot in the national pairs division, finishing just behind the leading team from Anguilla. All three core athletes — Theodore and both Smiths — also played a critical role in securing Saint Lucia’s third-place finish in the overall national teams event in 2024. Across all divisions of last year’s tournament, Saint Lucia’s squad put on an impressive overall showing, taking silver in both national pairs and Swiss pairs, bronze in open teams, and splitting gold and bronze in the Swiss teams competition, finishing the tournament with a total of six podium medals.
Beyond the official national team entries, three additional competitor pairs will travel to Dominica — nicknamed the “Nature Isle” for its lush tropical landscapes — to join the tournament. These additional pairs are Nancy Gomez paired with Monica Perreira, Monique Devaux-Lovell partnered with Nannette Reyes, and Michelle Theodore competing alongside Ian Hippolyte.
For local residents of Saint Lucia who are curious about learning to play bridge or seeking more information about the association’s activities, the Saint Lucia Bridge Association maintains multiple public outreach channels. Interested parties can reach the organization through its official website at sluba.lc, via its social media profiles on Facebook and Instagram, or by phone at 730-6122.