Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Sandals/SLNCA U19 Cricket Tournament returns January 25

    Sandals/SLNCA U19 Cricket Tournament returns January 25

    Saint Lucia’s cricket development pathway receives significant reinforcement as the Sandals/SLNCA Under-19 Cricket Tournament returns on January 25. This prestigious national competition has established itself as the premier platform for emerging cricketing talent, with numerous alumni progressing to represent Saint Lucia, Windward Islands, and the West Indies senior teams.

    Eight district teams—Gros Islet, Babonneau, Central Castries, South Castries, Mabouya, Mon Repos, Choiseul, and Soufrière—will compete across four premier venues: Mindoo Phillip Park, Wenn Playing Field, Phillip Marcellin Grounds, and Piaye Playing Field. This strategic venue selection ensures broad community participation and accessibility for supporters to witness the nation’s most promising young cricketers.

    The upcoming tournament builds upon an exceptionally competitive 2025 edition that concluded with Gros Islet and Central Castries sharing championship honors, demonstrating the remarkably balanced talent distribution across participating regions.

    Sunil Ramdeen, Sandals Resorts Regional Public Relations Manager for the Eastern Caribbean, reaffirmed the organization’s long-term commitment to youth development through cricket. “We have witnessed tremendous pride in observing how this tournament systematically prepares young Saint Lucian athletes for advancement to national, territorial, and regional teams. Our investment in community development remains unwavering, and we celebrate this exemplary partnership with SLNCA.”

    SLNCA President Wayne Auguste emphasized the tournament’s structural importance, stating: “This competition constitutes a fundamental component of our player development ecosystem. It creates an essential transition between school cricket and senior competition, enabling talent identification, instilling professional values, and exposing prospects to high-caliber national matches. We profoundly appreciate Sandals Resorts’ sustained partnership and developmental investment, which crucially strengthens the future of Saint Lucian and Windward Islands cricket.”

  • Future Pro to Host UK Football Pathways Session in Antigua Ahead of CAF Combine

    Future Pro to Host UK Football Pathways Session in Antigua Ahead of CAF Combine

    Future Pro is set to make a significant return to the Caribbean region with an exclusive Football Pathways Evening scheduled for Wednesday, February 4th in Antigua and Barbuda. The event, strategically timed ahead of the upcoming CAF Combine, will take place at the Weatherills Hotel in St. John’s from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM.

    The program will commence with an initial meet-and-greet session from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, allowing attendees to network with Future Pro representatives. This will be followed by a comprehensive presentation from 5:30 PM to 6:15 PM detailing the organization’s football development pathways. The evening will conclude with an interactive question-and-answer segment and personalized one-on-one discussions from 6:15 PM to 7:00 PM.

    Future Pro highlighted their proven track record with Antiguan talent, specifically mentioning recent successes including Kylano, who earned a trial with Blackburn Rovers’ under-21 squad, and Marco Michael, who secured a trial opportunity with FC Andorra.

    Due to limited capacity, the event requires advance registration. Interested football players and parents must pre-register by contacting Future Pro directly at the provided telephone number: +44 7894 322273. The venue will offer both parking facilities and seating arrangements, with attendees requested to gather at the outdoor lawn gazebo area.

  • Calvin Ayre Foundation Celebrates Culmination of 2025 Women’s Premier League Season

    Calvin Ayre Foundation Celebrates Culmination of 2025 Women’s Premier League Season

    Antigua and Barbuda has ushered in a transformative chapter for women’s football with the triumphant conclusion of the first-ever CAF/ABFA Women’s Premier League. This landmark initiative, a collaborative endeavor between the Calvin Ayre Foundation (CAF) and the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), has successfully established a new competitive platform dedicated to female athletes.

    The 2025 season culminated in a thrilling finale, crowning Empire Trendsetters FC as the inaugural champions. Wadadli United FC clinched the second-place position, with Cutting Edge FA securing a respectable third. The entire league was characterized by displays of exceptional skill, unwavering determination, and marked athletic development across all participating clubs.

    Jamilla Kirwan, Manager of the Calvin Ayre Foundation, emphasized the league’s significance beyond the pitch. She stated that the partnership with the ABFA symbolizes a profound commitment to fostering progress and creating tangible opportunities for women and girls within the sporting arena, framing the league as a catalyst for social advancement.

    The season’s excellence was further highlighted by individual accolades presented to standout performers:
    * **Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper):** Anik Jarvis (Empire Trendsetters FC)
    * **Golden Boot (Top Scorer):** Nafisa Quashie (Empire Trendsetters FC)
    * **Best Defender:** Karmiellia Hughes (Empire Trendsetters FC)
    * **Most Valuable Player (MVP):** Jada Benjamin (Wadadli United FC)

    With the inaugural season now complete, organizers are already focusing on the future. The Foundation has announced its intent to review this year’s operations to identify enhancements, aiming to deliver an even more robust and impactful Season Two.

    Gwendolyn Salmon, Senior Vice President of the ABFA, reflected on the historic achievement, expressing profound gratitude to the Calvin Ayre Foundation for its crucial investment. She credited this partnership as the driving force behind a historic milestone for the nation’s women’s football program, celebrating the new opportunities unlocked for players.

  • Six Courts to Be Shared for Local Sports

    Six Courts to Be Shared for Local Sports

    In a landmark move for Belizean athletics, a strategic alliance has been formalized between the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Belize Basketball Federation (BBF). This collaboration, cemented through a newly executed Memorandum of Understanding, designates six multi-purpose indoor and outdoor courts for shared public and competitive use.

    The primary objective of this partnership is to optimize the nation’s existing sports infrastructure. The facilities will be made accessible for a variety of approved sporting activities, prominently including basketball and volleyball. This initiative is designed to democratize access to high-quality, safe training and competition venues for athletes across diverse disciplines and skill levels.

    Operational responsibilities have been clearly delineated under the agreement. The NSC will assume administrative control over court scheduling, implementing a system to guarantee equitable and fair access for all participating sports organizations and community groups. Concurrently, the BBF will retain priority usage rights for hosting its official tournaments, league games, and sanctioned events.

    Official statements heralded the partnership as a significant advancement. The NSC characterized the agreement as ‘a meaningful investment in Belize’s sporting future,’ emphasizing its triple benefit: strengthening institutional collaboration, maximizing the utility of public infrastructure, and broadly expanding athletic opportunities. Both entities have publicly affirmed a shared commitment to cultivating these venues into dynamic hubs for competitive excellence and active community engagement.

  • Grenada and Mexico forge strategic football partnership through historic MOU

    Grenada and Mexico forge strategic football partnership through historic MOU

    In a groundbreaking development for Caribbean and North American football, the Grenada Football Association (GFA) and Mexico’s Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF) have established a comprehensive strategic partnership through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement, finalized on January 13th at FMF Headquarters in Mexico City, represents a significant advancement in North-South sports cooperation within the CONCACAF region.

    GFA President Marlon Glean and FMF President Mikel Arriola formalized the agreement that establishes a multi-year framework for football development collaboration extending through December 2026. The partnership focuses on four primary pillars of cooperation: technical education, youth development, competitive opportunities, and organizational capacity building.

    The technical component will see the implementation of coach and referee training exchanges, including scholarship programs for Grenadian technical personnel to access Mexico’s advanced football education system. For youth development, the federations will share best practices in grassroots programming and talent identification methodologies.

    A particularly notable aspect involves exploring friendly match opportunities between Grenada’s national teams and Mexican club sides, creating unprecedented exposure channels for Grenadian players to showcase their abilities in front of Mexican technical scouts. Additionally, the FMF will provide strategic support in media relations and commercial development to help strengthen the GFA’s organizational infrastructure.

    President Glean characterized the agreement as transformative for Grenadian football, stating: ‘This partnership aligns perfectly with our strategic vision to elevate Grenadian football through international cooperation. It provides access to world-class expertise and resources that will accelerate our development at all levels.’

    President Arriola emphasized the collaborative spirit behind the initiative: ‘We believe in football’s power to unite communities and drive development. Supporting federations like the GFA strengthens our entire regional football ecosystem and creates a more connected football family across the Americas.’

    The agreement establishes formal mechanisms for joint planning and regular evaluation of initiatives, ensuring both organizations can adapt their collaboration to maximize impact. This partnership stands as a model for how football federations with differing resource levels can create mutually beneficial relationships that advance the sport’s development across regions.

  • CHOOSE WISELY!

    CHOOSE WISELY!

    With just nine weeks remaining until their decisive World Cup qualification bid, Jamaica’s national football team faces a monumental challenge in the inter-confederation playoffs. Captain Andre Blake maintains cautious optimism while emphasizing that strategic personnel selection will prove critical to their success.

    The Reggae Boyz, having fallen short of automatic qualification after finishing second to Curacao in CONCACAF’s Group B, now face a challenging playoff pathway. Their journey begins with a semi-final clash against Oceania’s New Caledonia on March 26th. A victory would propel them into a final confrontation against Africa’s DR Congo, with the ultimate prize being placement in World Cup Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.

    Reflecting on their qualification struggle, Blake acknowledged the team’s self-inflicted predicament: “We still have a chance. Obviously, it’s not going to be easy, but we kind of put ourselves in this position, and we’re going to have to go out there and fight for our lives.”

    The team’s disappointing 0-0 draw against World Cup-bound Curacao in November at Kingston’s National Stadium precipitated immediate changes, including the departure of Head Coach Steve McClaren. Blake described the atmosphere during that fateful match as electric, noting “The only thing missing from that game was us scoring a goal or two to win the game.”

    Subsequent restructuring saw the Jamaica Football Federation appoint Rudolph Speid as interim head coach with Miguel Coley as assistant. The technical staff has been further strengthened with the addition of Arsenal youth coach Michael Donaldson as assistant coach and former national goalkeeper Aaron Lawrence specializing in goalkeeper development.

    Despite naming a 52-man provisional squad, Speid faces logistical challenges with most European and American-based players unavailable until March due to club commitments outside FIFA international windows. This constraint was evident as a predominantly local squad secured a 1-0 friendly victory against Grenada on Sunday.

    Blake emphasized that tactical coherence outweighs individual talent: “We have the pieces for sure, we just haven’t been able to bring it together. For me, the most important thing is we don’t need the best players, we need the right players.”

    The 35-year-old goalkeeper, who has earned 92 international caps, envisions qualification as transformative for Jamaican football: “It would be a dream come true for me. It would bring so much joy to the people of Jamaica, so much inspiration for the younger generation.” Having last appeared in the 1998 France World Cup, the Reggae Boyz now stand on the precipice of returning to football’s global stage.

  • Cavalier SC, MBU score five goals each in JPL wins

    Cavalier SC, MBU score five goals each in JPL wins

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Wednesday’s Jamaica Premier League fixtures witnessed extraordinary offensive displays as both defending champions Cavalier SC and league frontrunners Montego Bay United secured resounding 5-1 and 5-0 victories respectively.

    Cavalier SC demonstrated remarkable form following their seasonal break, overpowering Dunbeholden FC with a decisive 5-1 triumph at Stadium East. Simultaneously, Montego Bay United maintained their commanding league position with a flawless 5-0 shutout against Spanish Town Police FC at Royal Lakes Complex.

    These performances marked the most substantial victories for both clubs this season, significantly impacting the league standings. Montego Bay United strengthened their championship pursuit by extending their lead to six points, while Cavalier SC ascended to fourth position in the competitive table.

    The scoring commenced for Cavalier SC with Kwayne Thompson’s 35th-minute header breaking the deadlock. Second-half fireworks followed as Dwayne Allen’s spectacular 23-yard strike in the 60th minute doubled the advantage. Substitute Odane Wilberforce contributed a third goal in the 74th minute, followed by an unfortunate own goal from Dunbeholden FC. Despite Stephen Barnett’s consolation penalty conversion in the 85th minute, Jerome McCleary sealed the commanding victory with a stoppage-time finish.

    Montego Bay United’s offensive masterclass featured Jourdain Fletcher’s double strike, reclaiming his position as the league’s sole scoring leader with 11 goals. The scoring cascade began with Deverow McKenzie’s 19th-minute volley, followed by Fletcher’s long-range precision in the 22nd minute. Jahmari Clarke ended his scoring drought in the 60th minute before Dwight Merrick and Fletcher completed the rout with clinical finishes.

    The comprehensive victories underscore the offensive prowess of Jamaica’s top football clubs while dramatically reshaping the Premier League landscape as the season progresses toward its climax.

  • Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 footballers crush SVG in practice match

    Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 footballers crush SVG in practice match

    Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-20 men’s national team delivered a commanding performance on January 19th, securing an impressive 6-0 victory against St Vincent and the Grenadines at Couva’s Ato Boldon Stadium. The comprehensive win served as crucial preparation for upcoming Concacaf qualifiers scheduled to begin next month.

    The match saw exceptional performances from captain Derrel Garcia and Fatima College student Phillip Nelson, each contributing two goals to the scoreline. Garcia, who already boasts experience in senior professional football, initiated the scoring in the 22nd minute. Nelson followed with his first goal in the 32nd minute, establishing a 2-0 lead by halftime.

    The second half began with explosive intensity as Garcia and Nelson each found the net again within a remarkable two-minute span—Garcia scoring in the 51st minute and Nelson completing his brace in the 53rd minute. Despite St Vincent’s efforts to stabilize their defense, Giovanni Hospedales extended TT’s lead in the 77th minute before Caden Trestrail concluded the scoring in the 85th minute.

    Head coach Marvin Gordon provided measured post-match commentary, expressing only partial satisfaction with the performance. ‘I think I am holding this group to a high standard,’ Gordon told TTFA media. ‘I was pleased with the ball movement today at times and then at times I was not pleased.’ The coach specifically noted that passing sequences could have been executed with greater speed and precision.

    In parallel action at the same venue, Defence Force secured a 3-2 comeback victory against Grenada’s U-20 squad. Grenada’s Nathan Mc Intosh scored twice (18th and 60th minutes), but Defence Force responded with goals from Nicholas Bobcombe (37th), Jonathan Mason (74th), and a dramatic 89th-minute winner from Josiah Superville.

    The practice tournament continues with upcoming fixtures at Hasely Crawford Stadium on January 21st featuring Grenada U-20 vs St Vincent U-20 (6 pm) followed by TT U-20 vs AC Port of Spain (8 pm). The tournament concludes on January 23rd at Ato Boldon Stadium with TT U-20 facing Grenada U-20 (6 pm) and St Vincent U-20 meeting AC Port of Spain (8 pm).

  • Bess Motors Ltd invest $175k into U15 Interzone tourney

    Bess Motors Ltd invest $175k into U15 Interzone tourney

    In a significant boost for Caribbean cricket development, Bess Motors Ltd has pledged a substantial $175,000 sponsorship to Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board’s (TTCB) Under-15 Youth Development Interzone Tournament. The partnership was formally established on January 21 when managing director Krystal Maharaj presented the sponsorship cheque to TTCB president Azim Bassarath at the National Cricket Centre in Couva.

    The upcoming tournament, scheduled to commence on January 28, will showcase emerging talent from eight zonal teams across Trinidad and Tobago: North, North East, Central, South, South West, South East, East, and Tobago. These teams will compete in two groups, with the event serving as a crucial talent identification platform ahead of Cricket West Indies’ Rising Stars Under-15 championship later this year.

    TTCB general secretary Henry Chase emphasized the tournament’s comprehensive reach, noting that it guarantees young athletes from every region of Trinidad and Tobago equal opportunity for recognition and development. “This interzone competition acts as a primary evaluation mechanism for national team selection,” Chase stated, “providing a clear pathway for players to advance to regional representation, including the prestigious West Indies Under-15 tournament.”

    Bassarath hailed the corporate partnership as a transformative moment for youth cricket development, praising Bess Motors for their strategic investment at this critical developmental stage. The TTCB president highlighted the tournament’s historical significance as a launching pad for numerous Trinidadian cricket legends, including former West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin, T20 phenomenon Nicholas Pooran, and current Red Force head coach Rayad Emrit.

    Beyond competitive matches, the 2026 tournament features comprehensive off-field development initiatives including specialized coaching education and umpire training programs. The event is specifically designed to foster character development, instill discipline, enhance communication skills, and promote personal growth among participants from all seven TTCB zonal councils, including Tobago.

    The sponsorship represents a long-term commitment to structured youth development, with Chase describing the initiative as “a deliberate investment in the future of Trinidad and Tobago cricket.” The partnership was facilitated through the efforts of Adrian Ali, captain of Marchin Sports Club and Chaguanas Borough Corporation councillor, who helped bridge the collaboration between TTCB and Bess Motors Ltd.

  • PowerGen renews partnership with Secondary Schools Cricket League

    PowerGen renews partnership with Secondary Schools Cricket League

    In a significant development for youth sports in Trinidad and Tobago, the Secondary Schools Cricket League (SSCL) has formally renewed its sponsorship agreement with PowerGen for the 2026 cricket season. This partnership celebration marks an extraordinary 28-year continuum of corporate backing for SSCL competitions and developmental programs.

    The ceremonial contract signing occurred between SSCL President Nigel Maraj and PowerGen General Manager Ian Rogers, witnessed by Dudnath Nagessar, cricket curriculum officer at the Ministry of Education. The 2026 season has already commenced this month, featuring the premier division I 50-over competition that began on January 20.

    According to an official SSCL statement, this collaboration represents “one of the longest-standing and most impactful partnerships in the history of school sport in TT.” The release emphasized PowerGen’s “exemplary corporate social responsibility” through nearly three decades of consistent support, describing the company as “a beacon that lights the pathway for young male and female cricketers across the nation.”

    The partnership has profoundly influenced student development beyond athletic skills. Cricket has served as an instrumental vehicle for fostering discipline, teamwork, leadership, and national pride among thousands of student-athletes. PowerGen’s sustained investment has enabled the SSCL to broaden opportunities, enhance programming, and establish secure, structured environments for youth to develop both athletic and life skills.

    SSCL President Nigel Maraj reflected on the partnership’s deeper significance: “This contract signing represents far more than sponsorship. It represents belief – belief in our youth, belief in sport as a vehicle for development, and belief in the future of TT.”

    The philosophical alignment between cricket and character development finds resonance in comments from West Indies legends. Sir Vivian Richards’ assertion that “Cricket is more than a game, it is a way of life” mirrors the SSCL’s educational mission. Similarly, Sir Garfield Sobers’ emphasis on “hard work, discipline and respect” as keys to success reflects core values embedded in SSCL programs.

    National hero Brian Lara’s wisdom that “it is not where you start, but how you finish” underscores the league’s focus on resilience and perseverance—qualities that extend beyond cricket into all life domains.

    Looking forward, the SSCL remains dedicated to enhancing competitions, advancing player development, and promoting gender inclusivity in cricket. The league expressed profound gratitude for PowerGen’s 28 years of support and anticipates another successful season of collaborative achievement.