Steve McClaren’s journey as the head coach of Jamaica’s national football team came to an abrupt and disappointing end following the Reggae Boyz’s failure to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. McClaren, who took charge in July 2024, faced significant challenges throughout his 475-day tenure, which concluded with a 0-0 draw against Curacao in Kingston on November 18, 2025. This result left Jamaica out of automatic qualification, forcing them into a last-chance inter-confederation playoff in March 2026. McClaren’s resignation, announced during his final press conference, marked the culmination of a turbulent period marked by fan discontent, internal friction, and unmet expectations. His decision to remain in England rather than relocate to Jamaica, his perceived bias towards England-born players, and the team’s underwhelming performances in key tournaments contributed to his downfall. Despite initial optimism and support from the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), McClaren’s inability to deliver results ultimately sealed his fate. The Reggae Boyz now face an uphill battle to qualify for the World Cup under interim coach Rudolph Speid, while McClaren’s future in international football remains uncertain.
分类： sports
-
Double bronze for Trinidad and Tobago at RAN Sevens
The Trinidad and Tobago (TT) senior men’s and women’s rugby teams delivered impressive performances at the 2025 RAN Sevens tournament, held at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar on November 23. The men’s team triumphed over Bermuda with a commanding 29-5 victory, securing their qualification for the 2026 Caribbean American and Caribbean (CAC) Games. Meanwhile, the women’s team dominated their Bermudian counterparts with a resounding 27-0 win, earning a bronze medal. Despite their strong showing, the women’s team narrowly missed out on CAC Games qualification. The men’s team, led by standout performances from Jonathan Taylor, who scored a hat-trick, and Ruairi O’Farrell, who contributed two conversions, showcased their resilience after a semifinal loss to Canada. The women’s team, spearheaded by Fayola Jack’s two tries, demonstrated their prowess in the bronze medal match. Canada and Mexico emerged as the tournament champions in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively, with both teams advancing to the SVNS qualification pathway. TT Rugby Union Treasurer Chad Simeon expressed pride in the teams’ achievements and highlighted the union’s ambitions to establish TT as a premier rugby destination. The 2025 RAN Sevens, featuring 20 teams from 14 countries, was streamed globally on RugbyPass TV, further elevating the tournament’s profile.
-
Saint Lucians make their mark at West Indies women’s camp
As the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England looms on the horizon, the West Indies women’s cricket team is leaving no stone unturned in their preparations. Twenty senior players are currently engaged in an intensive eight-week training camp in Antigua and Barbuda, with three Saint Lucians playing pivotal roles—players Qiana Joseph and Zaida James, and coach Dalton Polius. The camp, which commenced on October 20, has been marked by rigorous practice sessions and a renewed focus on technical improvements. Polius, who has been working closely with the team’s batters under head coach Shane Deitz, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made so far. He highlighted the players’ dedication to refining their skills, particularly in batting, bowling, and fielding. Polius also praised the rapid development of Zaida James, noting her increased confidence and technical prowess. Similarly, Qiana Joseph, who has emerged as a dynamic opening batter, has set ambitious goals for the upcoming year, driven by personal motivation and a desire to honor the memory of a close friend. The West Indies women’s team faces a packed schedule in 2026, including six international tours and their first Test match in decades, making this camp a crucial step in their journey toward global success.
-
Table tennis supergirl Shatal Charles off to Chinese camp
At just 15 years old, Shatal Charles, a table tennis prodigy from Saint Lucia, is making waves in the international sports arena. Originally from Vieux Fort and now residing in Anse La Raye, Charles is set to take a monumental step toward her dream of becoming an Olympian. From December 3 to 11, she will participate in the prestigious ITTF Global Youth Training Camp in Chengdu, China, as one of only nine athletes selected from the Americas and the sole representative from the Caribbean among 42 participants. This opportunity follows her recent accolade as Saint Lucia’s Female Student Athlete of the Year for 2024. Charles’ journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. She recently dominated the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) championships in Grenada, where she remained unbeaten in the team competition and secured a silver medal in women’s singles. Her stellar performance also earned her the MVP title. Earlier this year, Charles clinched multiple victories, including three categories at the Independence Day Classic Table Tennis Championships and titles in both the Under-15 and Under-19 divisions at the LQ Classic Junior Table Tennis Tournament in Grenada. Her partnership with Leshon Francis has also been fruitful, as the duo claimed a mixed doubles bronze at the Caribbean Youth Championships in Barbados. Charles’ rapid ascent in the sport is a testament to her dedication and resilience. Introduced to table tennis just four years ago by her physical education teacher, Cuthbert Popo, she has since honed her skills under the guidance of coach Chris Wells. Despite her young age, Charles has already achieved significant milestones, including Caribbean and OECS titles. Beyond her athletic prowess, Charles is a determined individual with aspirations of becoming a lawyer. She balances her rigorous training schedule with her academic pursuits and personal interests, such as watching superhero movies. Reflecting on her journey, Charles shared, ‘Table tennis is what keeps me calm. It makes me happy. I really love it. Trying to reach my goal, you know, setting a goal that I want to reach.’ Her unwavering mentality and commitment to constant improvement have set her apart, even when competing against world-ranked players. As she prepares for the ITTF camp, Charles remains focused on her ultimate goal: representing Saint Lucia on the Olympic stage before her 20th birthday. Her story is still unfolding, but it is clear that Shatal Charles is destined for greatness.
-
Club Sando score six again, jump to TTPFL summit
Club Sando has solidified its position as a powerhouse in the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) with two consecutive six-goal victories. On November 21, they delivered a commanding 6-1 win against last season’s runners-up, MIC Central FC Reboot, at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. This triumph followed their 6-0 demolition of Terminix La Horquetta Rangers just two days prior. The Angus Eve-coached team showcased their attacking prowess, scoring five unanswered goals in the first half against Central FC before adding a sixth late in the second half. This victory propelled Club Sando to the top of the 12-team league table with 12 points, edging out Prisons FC on goal difference. The team’s attackers, Real Gill and Tarik Lee, were instrumental in the win, each scoring twice in the first half. Lee continued his impressive form after a four-goal performance against Rangers. Keron Cornwall and captain Shervohnez Hamilton also contributed to the scoreline. Central FC’s defensive errors were ruthlessly exploited by Club Sando, with Gill opening the scoring in the 17th minute after capitalizing on a loose pass. Cornwall doubled the lead in the 25th minute, and Lee’s brace in the 29th and 35th minutes sealed the game. Gill added his second goal in the 37th minute, making it 5-0 before halftime. Despite a better second-half performance from Central FC, Daniel David’s 86th-minute goal was a mere consolation, as Hamilton completed the rout with a sharp finish in the 88th minute. In another TTPFL match, San Juan Jabloteh and Caledonia AIA played to a thrilling 2-2 draw. Jabloteh led 2-0 at halftime thanks to striker Malachi Webb’s brace, but Caledonia’s Keron Cummings equalized with a penalty and a spectacular volley in the second half. The TTPFL action continues with more matches scheduled at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
-
Fatima, San Juan use penalties to reach zonal intercol finals
The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) boys’ zonal semifinals delivered high-octane drama as Fatima College and St Anthony’s College secured their spots in the north zone intercol final, while San Juan North Secondary triumphed in the east zone. On November 21, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, Fatima College edged out St Mary’s College in a nail-biting penalty shootout, winning 4-3 after a 3-3 draw in regulation time. Seth Hadeed opened the scoring for Fatima with a 52nd-minute penalty, but St Mary’s fought back valiantly, with Jaylon Roberts and Josiah Hunte leveling the score late in the game. In the shootout, Fatima overturned a 3-2 deficit to clinch the victory. Earlier, St Anthony’s College dominated Malick Secondary with a commanding 3-0 win to set up a thrilling north zone final against Fatima. Meanwhile, in the east zone on November 22, San Juan North Secondary overcame Arima North Secondary 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Arima North had taken a 2-0 lead in the first half, but San Juan’s Jahdel Chase-Charles equalized late to force the shootout, where San Juan held their nerve to advance. They will now face St Augustine Secondary, who defeated St George’s College 2-0 in the other semifinal. These results set the stage for two highly anticipated zonal finals, showcasing the resilience and skill of these young footballers.
-
Trinidad and Tobago ruggermen into RAN 7s semis with win over Mexico
The Trinidad and Tobago (TT) men’s rugby team showcased resilience and determination in the 2025 Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens tournament, securing a spot in the semifinals after a challenging start. Competing at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, the TT men began their campaign on November 21 with a 14-14 draw against Guyana in Group B, followed by a commanding 25-14 victory over the Cayman Islands. However, they faced a setback on November 22 with a 14-5 loss to Jamaica, slipping to third in their group. In a crucial quarterfinal match against Mexico, the TT men delivered a stellar performance, triumphing 19-5 with tries from Rauri O’Farrell, Marcus Arrindell, and Jonathan Taylor. They now prepare to face reigning champions Canada in the semifinals on November 23, aiming to avenge their 38-0 defeat in the 2024 final. On the women’s side, the TT team started strong with dominant wins over Guyana (39-0) and Bermuda (29-0) but encountered challenges on day two, losing 15-0 to Mexico and 22-7 to Jamaica. They will look to bounce back in their final round-robin match against Barbados on November 23. The women’s placement matches and final are also scheduled for the same day, promising an exciting conclusion to the tournament.
-
TOUGH, BUT RIGHT CALL
The Vitality Netball Roses Horizon Series, a high-profile international netball competition between England and Jamaica, has faced a significant setback with the cancellation of its Jamaican leg due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. The decision, though disappointing, was deemed necessary to prioritize the recovery efforts of the affected communities. The hurricane, which struck Jamaica on October 28, disrupted extensive planning and sponsor engagements, prompting stakeholders to focus on relief initiatives.
Karen Baugh, President of Netball Jamaica (NJ), expressed her regret over the cancellation but emphasized the importance of supporting hurricane recovery. ‘We were working very hard on putting on a great show, but we must come back stronger next year,’ Baugh stated. The series, designed to provide consistent, high-intensity competition for both teams, will now proceed with only the England leg, scheduled for December 13 and 14 at London’s Copper Box Arena.
In a show of solidarity, England Netball announced that £1 from every ticket sold for the London matches will be donated to World Central Kitchen (WCK), NJ’s charity partner, which is providing meals to Jamaican families affected by the hurricane. Fans are also encouraged to make optional donations at checkout.
Eboni Usoro-Brown, President of England Netball, highlighted the deep-rooted relationship between the two nations, stating, ‘The Sunshine Girls are more than opponents; they have shaped some of the most defining moments in our sport.’ She expressed pride in England Netball’s support for Jamaica during this challenging time and pledged to ensure the Sunshine Girls feel respected and supported in London.
The Jamaican team, already facing selection challenges due to the unavailability of key players, remains determined to perform at their best. ‘We are going out there to give it our best shot,’ Baugh affirmed, despite the absence of regular captain Jhaniele Fowler-Reid and other prominent players.
The cancellation underscores the broader impact of natural disasters on sports and community life, while the collaborative response highlights the resilience and unity within the netball community.
-
Golovkin elected president of World Boxing
PARIS, France (AFP)—In a significant development for the sport, former middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin has been elected as the president of World Boxing, the organization tasked with overseeing boxing at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The 43-year-old Kazakh boxer, a two-time unified world middleweight champion and Olympic silver medalist, was unanimously chosen during the annual congress in Rome, where he stood as the sole candidate. Golovkin succeeds Dutchman Boris van der Vorst, who opted not to seek re-election after his 2023 appointment. In his inaugural statement, Golovkin emphasized his commitment to placing athletes at the core of decision-making and restoring trust in Olympic boxing. ‘Starting today, athletes will be at the heart of every decision we make,’ he declared. ‘On the road to LA28, we will restore trust in Olympic boxing to secure our place in Brisbane (host of the 2032 Olympics) beyond. Now it’s time to move forward as one united boxing family.’ Golovkin’s election comes amid a turbulent period for the sport, following the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to sever ties with the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to governance and ethical concerns. The IOC managed boxing at the Tokyo and Paris Games while deliberating the sport’s Olympic future. World Boxing, established in 2023, has now taken the reins, with Golovkin at the helm. His appointment follows the recent election of Manny Pacquiao, another boxing legend, as vice president of the IBA, highlighting the sport’s ongoing efforts to navigate its challenges and secure its Olympic legacy.
-
Eze treble fuels Arsenal’s derby rout of Spurs
In a stunning display of skill and determination, Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze delivered a masterclass performance, scoring a hat-trick to lead his team to a resounding 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby. The match, held at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, saw Arsenal extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points, further solidifying their title aspirations.