Kalia Wyllie, a standout graduate of St. Vincent Girls’ High School, has been named the 2025 recipient of the BOSVG Netball Scholarship. Wyllie, who captained her school’s championship team during the 2024 Schools’ Netball Tournament, has consistently demonstrated exceptional talent and leadership in the sport. Her achievements were further recognized at the school’s 2025 graduation ceremony, where she was honored as the Most Outstanding Netballer. Additionally, she was awarded the title of Most Promising Player at the conclusion of the 2025 BOSVG National Netball Tournament and was selected to represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the 2025 Windward Island School Games. Beyond her athletic prowess, Wyllie’s academic excellence was highlighted by her outstanding performance in the CSEC examinations, showcasing her dedication and discipline. The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association (SVGNA) expressed confidence in her ability to excel both academically and in netball. Patricia John, Marketing and Communications Manager at BOSVG, presented Wyllie with a cheque for EC$4,000 to support her college journey, emphasizing the bank’s commitment to empowering talented young women. Natasha Baptiste, President of the SVG Netball Association, praised the bank’s partnership, noting its dual focus on sporting excellence and academic advancement. Wyllie’s achievements serve as an inspiration, and she is poised to make the most of this significant opportunity.
分类： sports
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Wales storm into semis with dominant 5–2 victory
In a thrilling night of football at the Gall Hill Playing Field in St. John, Weymouth Wales delivered a dominant performance to secure a 5–2 victory over Notre Dame, booking their place in the semi-finals of the Prime Minister’s Cup. The Carrington Village side showcased their superiority from the outset, with defender Andre Applewhaite leading the charge. Applewhaite, named Flow Man of the Match, scored twice in the 45+2 and 90+3 minutes, while also contributing defensively. Wales’ early dominance was evident with goals from Nicoli Brathwaite (4th minute), Romario Harewood (12th), and Ackeel Applewhaite (21st), establishing a commanding 3-0 lead. Notre Dame briefly rallied with two quick goals from Carl Joseph’s spectacular free kick and Antone Greaves’ composed finish, but Wales quickly regained control to seal their progression. In the night’s second match, Paradise FC edged past Ellerton in a tense encounter that went into extra time. After a goalless 90 minutes, the decisive moment came in the 113th minute when Ellerton captain Shakille Belle inadvertently scored an own goal, sending Paradise into jubilation. Despite Ellerton’s resilient defense and goalkeeper Kerry Holder’s heroics, Paradise’s attacking trio of Khimani Cox, Tyrel Rayside-Demedonca, and Mikalai Dziazhko kept the pressure on. Substitute Kishmar Ramsey’s free kick delivery led to the unfortunate deflection off Belle, ending Ellerton’s hopes and securing Paradise’s spot in the semi-finals.
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Neighbourhood firm champions sporting ambitions at Welches Primary
Students at Welches Primary School were encouraged to embrace the transformative power of sports as local firm Equip4you announced its sponsorship of the school’s cricket, netball, and football teams. The event, which brought together young athletes of the Welches Wolves, featured inspiring remarks from Stephen Leslie, Marketing Director of the Barbados Cricket Association. Leslie emphasized that sports are not merely recreational activities but pathways to discipline, personal growth, and global opportunities. He urged students to seize the moment, stating, ‘Sports will provide you with opportunities that you would never have thought about in your journey.’ Leslie also praised Principal Julia Broomes, teacher Jason Parris, and Equip4you Director Sam Johnson for their dedication to nurturing young talent. Drawing from his extensive experience, Leslie highlighted how sports can forge connections and open doors beyond Barbados. He shared anecdotes from his travels across the Caribbean and a memorable experience in Jamaica, where he witnessed Olympic champion Usain Bolt and other athletes secure scholarships through their performances. Leslie encouraged students to envision a future beyond academics, citing global icons like Rihanna and cricket legends Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle as examples of Barbadian success. He also stressed the growing opportunities for both genders in sports, emphasizing the importance of building a strong personal legacy. Sam Johnson expressed pride in Equip4you’s partnership with Welches Primary, describing it as a meaningful and flourishing relationship. Shakira Doughlin, Regional WM manager at Lyfstyl Caribbean, shared her own journey in athletics, urging students to embrace the personal growth and global exposure that sports offer. Justin Parris, Barbados Under-15 captain and Welches alumnus, encouraged young athletes to stay determined and learn from their mistakes, highlighting the lifelong bonds and lessons that sports create.
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Chastanet hints at plans for sports
Allen Chastanet, leader of the United Workers’ Party and a passionate sports advocate, has emphasized the critical role of the club system and the Saint Lucia Sports Academy (SLSA) in advancing the nation’s athletic development. In a comprehensive interview with St. Lucia Times, Chastanet outlined his vision for sports, particularly in the context of the upcoming December 1 general election. He highlighted the “quadrant plan,” initially introduced by the late Prime Minister Sir John Compton, which focused on regional investment and could be adapted to sports infrastructure and development. Chastanet argued that sports in Saint Lucia have traditionally been school-centric, leaving a void once students transition to secondary education. To address this, he proposed establishing district-level clubs, aiming for six to seven clubs per district across the island’s ten regions. While he did not elaborate on the financial or logistical support for these clubs, Chastanet envisioned a step system where district clubs would compete regionally, culminating in national championships. He also linked this vision to the SLSA, which opened in 2019 during his tenure as Prime Minister. The academy, he explained, centralizes sports development at the secondary level, allowing top athletes from across the island to train and compete together. Despite its successes in cricket and football, the SLSA has faced challenges, including the absence of a dedicated scholarship desk, limiting opportunities for graduates to pursue higher education abroad. Chastanet remains optimistic about the academy’s potential, citing its comprehensive support system, including sports psychologists, nutritionists, and trainers. He also revealed discussions with FIFA to transform the Phillip Marcellin Grounds into a regional football academy. If re-elected, Chastanet plans to enhance the SLSA’s profile and implement a district-focused club system to further Saint Lucia’s sports development.
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Official Update: 32nd National Sports Awards Set for February 28, 2026
The Ministry of Education, Sports, and Creative Industries, in collaboration with the National Sports Awards Committee, has officially announced the rescheduled date for the 32nd National Sports Awards. The prestigious event will now take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Nominations for the awards remain open until November 30, 2025, providing ample time for submissions. Nomination forms are available at the Ministry of Sport, located in the former Cricket West Indies Office within the Government Complex. The National Sports Awards have long been a cornerstone in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments, unwavering commitment, and significant contributions of athletes, coaches, administrators, and sporting organizations throughout Antigua and Barbuda. The upcoming ceremony aims to continue this legacy of honoring excellence in sports.
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Column: Voorbereidingen op play-off tegen Bolivia per direct van start
Following a disappointing 3-1 loss to Guatemala, the Natio men’s football team, under coach Menzo, will face intercontinental playoffs in March next year for one of the final two World Cup tickets. Their journey begins against Bolivia, with a potential follow-up match against Iraq. As the team looks ahead, it’s crucial to dissect the factors behind Tuesday night’s defeat and strategize for future success. While the technical staff’s decision to alter the lineup raised questions—such as why Boëtius was benched while Jubitana and Chery started—the focus should be on the subpar preparation. After a stellar 4-0 victory against El Salvador, the team had five days to recover and prepare. However, the logistics were far from ideal. The squad flew via Panama to Guatemala, arriving at their hotel after midnight. A direct charter flight on Friday would have been less exhausting and provided an extra day to acclimatize to the 1,500-meter altitude. Despite the luxurious hotel, delayed meals and the growing presence of fans disrupted the players’ routine. The training sessions were equally problematic. On Sunday, the intended stadium was closed, forcing a last-minute scramble for an alternative location across Guatemala City. The team, escorted by heavily armed military jeeps, navigated through heavy traffic, arriving at a poorly lit field. The next day, training was canceled due to a waterlogged pitch, and the team had to train at a distant sports complex. While Natio’s preparation pales in comparison to European Champions League teams, it’s essential to control as many variables as possible. Looking ahead, the team must lobby to avoid playing in Guadalajara’s high altitude, secure a suitable hotel and training facility, and negotiate efficient travel arrangements. With these measures, Natio can ensure their next opponent doesn’t have the upper hand.
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Kiwis stroll to 3-0 ODI series win vs Windies
New Zealand secured a comprehensive victory over the West Indies in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 22, completing a clean sweep of the three-match series. The West Indies, batting first, were dismissed for a modest 161 runs in 36.2 overs, with Roston Chase (38), John Campbell (26), and Khary Pierre (22 not out) providing the only notable contributions. The Caribbean side struggled against New Zealand’s bowling attack, led by Matt Henry, who claimed four wickets for 43 runs, and captain Mitchell Santner, who took two for 27. Despite a brief resistance from the lower order, the Windies collapsed from 31 for two to 95 for seven, failing to build a competitive total. In response, New Zealand faced early setbacks, losing three wickets for 32 runs. However, a decisive 75-run partnership between Mark Chapman (64) and Michael Bracewell (40 not out) steered the hosts to victory. The Black Caps reached the target of 162 with six wickets down in the 31st over, sealing a comfortable win. The teams will now shift focus to a three-match Test series starting December 1, where the West Indies aim to bounce back from their recent defeats in the T20 and ODI series.
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Pogba debuts for Monaco in first game in over two years
In a highly anticipated comeback, Paul Pogba returned to competitive football on Saturday, marking his first appearance in over two years. The 32-year-old midfielder came on as a late substitute for Monaco in their 4-1 loss to Rennes. Pogba’s career has been marred by injuries, a doping suspension, and an extortion case in which he was the victim. Despite these challenges, he expressed gratitude for his return, stating, ‘Football isn’t over for me. We’ve worked hard, we’ve waited more than two years to get back, and today it finally happened. Thank God.’
Pogba received a warm ovation from the crowd at Roazhon Park when he entered the pitch in the 85th minute and again after the final whistle. ‘It really touched me to see the crowd stand and applaud. I honestly didn’t expect that, so a huge thank you to all the fans who were there today and supported me,’ he said. Pogba’s return comes after a tumultuous period that included a four-year doping ban, later reduced to 18 months, and the termination of his contract with Juventus in November 2023.
Monaco took a gamble on Pogba following the conclusion of his suspension in March, and coach Sebastien Pocognoli chose to bring him on despite the team’s dire situation, trailing by four goals and down to 10 men. Rennes dominated the match with goals from Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Mahdi Camara, Breel Embolo, and Ludovic Blas, while Monaco’s lone goal came from Mika Biereth after Pogba’s introduction.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) maintained their lead in Ligue 1 with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Le Havre. Goals from Lee Kang-in, Joao Neves, and Bradley Barcola secured the win, allowing PSG to reclaim their two-point cushion at the top of the table. Earlier on Saturday, Marseille and Lens had temporarily overtaken PSG, with Lens edging Strasbourg 1-0 thanks to Ismaelo Ganiou’s second-half winner. Marseille, however, dominated Nice with a 5-1 victory on Friday, with Mason Greenwood scoring twice to become the league’s top scorer with 10 goals.
Pogba’s return marks a significant moment in his career, as he looks to regain full fitness and contribute to Monaco’s campaign. ‘I’m relieved to be back playing football, the thing I love most in the world. But there’s still work to do to get back to full fitness, play 90 minutes, and help the team as much as possible,’ he added.
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SPEID’S THE MAN!
In a decisive move to bolster their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has appointed Rudolph Speid as the interim head coach of the Reggae Boyz. The decision was finalized during a high-level meeting at the JFF headquarters in Kingston on Friday, attended by President Michael Ricketts, Vice-Presidents Elaine Walker-Brown and Gregory Daley, and Acting General Manager Omar McFarlane. Speid, who currently chairs the JFF’s technical committee, will assume his new role on December 15, while negotiations with Miguel Coley, a former assistant coach, are ongoing for a supporting position. Coley, currently with Zakho Sports Club in Iraq, has expressed enthusiasm about returning to the national team. The coaching shakeup follows Steve McClaren’s resignation after Jamaica’s 0-0 draw with Curacao, which dashed their hopes of automatic World Cup qualification. The Reggae Boyz will now face New Caledonia in the inter-confederation play-offs in March, with the winner advancing to play the Democratic Republic of Congo for a World Cup spot. Ricketts emphasized the urgency of the appointment, stating that Speid and Coley were the ideal candidates to ‘hit the track running.’ Speid, a three-time Jamaica Premier League champion with Cavalier FC, brings a wealth of regional success and a Concacaf ‘A’ license to the role. Despite scrutiny over his multiple positions within the JFF, Ricketts confirmed that Speid will take a leave of absence from his other duties to focus on coaching. Coley, who previously assisted Winfried Schafer, has a proven track record, including guiding Jamaica College to numerous schoolboy titles and holding assistant managerial roles in the Middle East. Both coaches are determined to lead Jamaica to their second World Cup appearance.
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Gabriel faces ‘weeks’ out of action in major blow for Arsenal
Arsenal’s defensive stalwart Gabriel Magalhaes is set to miss several weeks of action after sustaining a thigh injury during international duty, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday. The Brazilian centre-back, who has been a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defense this season, suffered the setback during Brazil’s 2-0 friendly victory over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium last weekend. Arteta expressed his disappointment, stating, ‘Gabi unfortunately picked up an injury with the Brazilian national team, and he’s going to be out for weeks. We’ll have a clearer timeline after another scan next Wednesday.’
Gabriel’s absence is a significant blow to Arsenal, as he has been instrumental in their Premier League campaign, forming a formidable partnership with William Saliba and contributing to a defense that has conceded just five goals in 11 games. Arteta acknowledged the challenge, saying, ‘It’s clearly a blow because he’s our leader in our backline. The good thing is that we have very good options, and people have to step up now.’
Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera are among the contenders to fill Gabriel’s shoes in the upcoming North London derby against Tottenham on Sunday. However, Arteta emphasized that Gabriel’s leadership and defensive prowess are irreplaceable. ‘Every player brings specific qualities, and Gabi’s is his leadership, his presence, and that love he has to defend,’ he added.
Arsenal’s injury woes extend beyond Gabriel, with left-back Riccardo Calafiori also sidelined due to lingering issues. Arteta revealed, ‘He’s been carrying a few things and hasn’t trained yet. We’ll assess his condition in tomorrow’s training session.’ Additionally, long-term absentees Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyokeres remain unavailable.
Despite these setbacks, Arsenal remains at the top of the Premier League, four points clear of Manchester City. Their upcoming clash with Tottenham promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Spurs boasting the best away record in the league this season. Arsenal, however, have a strong historical advantage, having lost just once at home to their rivals since 1993.