分类： sports

1976 FC Phoenix, under the guidance of new head coach Delroy Patterson, is gearing up for a transformative season in the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) Tier One. The Tobago-based team, which finished ninth last season, is optimistic that the return of home games to their schedule will provide the momentum needed to climb the league standings. This season, Phoenix is set to play up to six home matches at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, a significant improvement from the previous campaign where they had no home fixtures. Their season opener on October 24 will see them face Terminix La Horquetta Rangers in a double-header event, following a match between Miscellaneous Police FC and San Juan Jabloteh. Patterson, who led Whim Leeds United to the Tobago FA Cup title last year, has set a top-four finish as the team’s primary goal. However, he acknowledges the competitive nature of the league and emphasizes a game-by-game approach. ‘Realistically, we have a lot to put in if we want to finish in the top four because there are a lot of other good clubs out there,’ Patterson told Newsday. ‘If we finish in the top six again, I’d take that any day.’ The team has undergone significant changes in the off-season, with the departure of key players like Kassidy Davidson and Jariel Arthur. However, Patterson is confident in the abilities of players such as Deleon Beckles, Trevin Caesar, Kerri McDonald, Che Richards, and captain Duvaughn Daniel to step up. With the TTPFL introducing a new promotion and relegation structure, Patterson is determined to keep Phoenix in the top flight. ‘The guys are upbeat, and we want to continue playing in Tier One and not get demoted,’ he said. The team’s schedule includes challenging home fixtures against last season’s runners-up MIC Central FC Reboot, holders Defence Force, and Police FC. Patterson believes the support of the Tobago faithful will be crucial in inspiring the team to success. ‘It’s a morale boost for the guys, and knowing they have the fans behind them will give them more energy,’ he added.

Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), recently unveiled his latest literary work, *Cricket’s First Revolutionary – Frank Worrell’s Political War Against Colonialism in the West Indies*, at the UWI St Augustine Campus on October 21. The book delves into the life and legacy of Sir Frank Worrell, a cricketing legend whose impact transcended the sport. While Worrell’s Test batting average of nearly 50 runs is widely celebrated, his true significance lies in his relentless advocacy for equality and better treatment of West Indies cricketers during the colonial era. Born in Barbados, Worrell became the first captain of African descent for the West Indies team in the 1950s, breaking racial barriers that predecessors like Learie Constantine and George Headley could not. Worrell’s activism extended beyond cricket; he served as a Senator in Jamaica and formed the Starvation XI, a club for underprivileged boys in Barbados. Beckles’ book, completed in just five months, highlights Worrell’s journey from star cricketer to revolutionary leader, emphasizing his role in dismantling colonial structures within West Indies cricket. The launch event featured insights from prominent figures, including Dr. Indira Rampersad, Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, and historian Selwyn Cudjoe. Beckles, inspired by his childhood admiration for Worrell and guided by Trinidadian scholar CLR James, aims to preserve Worrell’s legacy as a symbol of resilience and progress in the face of systemic oppression.

The TT Volleyball Federation’s National Under-21 Championships concluded with thrilling victories for West Side Stars and Zenith Volleyball Club. Held at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sporting Arena in Tacarigua on October 20, the event showcased exceptional talent and fierce competition. In the women’s under-21 division, West Side Stars continued their winning streak, securing the title with a commanding 25-13, 25-14 victory over JMVP. This triumph followed their earlier success in the under-19 division, where they defeated SUVA on October 3. On the men’s side, Zenith Volleyball Club demonstrated their dominance, overcoming Big SEPos in straight sets (25-17, 25-21) to claim the under-21 championship. Zenith’s journey to the final was marked by a flawless performance, including a semifinal victory against New Arising Sporting Company (NASC) on October 17. Meanwhile, NASC secured the bronze medal by defeating JMVP 25-21, 25-16. The championships also highlighted the leadership of Deon Hutchinson (West Side) and Curtis Burkett (Zenith), who will now guide Trinidad and Tobago’s under-21 teams in upcoming regional and international competitions.

Trinidad and Tobago’s swimming sensation, Dylan Carter, has secured his spot in the men’s 50-meter backstroke final at the 2025 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup. The third leg of the competition, held in Toronto, Canada, saw Carter deliver a strong performance during the morning session on October 24. Swimming in heat five, Carter clocked an impressive 23.15 seconds, earning him second place. Hungary’s Hubert Kos claimed the top spot in the heat with a time of 22.90 seconds, while American swimmer Jack Alexy finished third in 23.38 seconds. All three athletes will now compete in the final, scheduled for 6:33 PM on the same day, with Carter positioned in lane six. Kos enters the final as the fastest qualifier from the preliminary rounds, followed by Kacper Stokowski, who won heat four with a time of 23.02 seconds. Carter, whose time ranked fourth in the prelims, aims to improve his performance and secure his third medal of the competition. Earlier in the tournament, Carter clinched bronze in the 50m backstroke during the first leg in Indiana, where Kos took gold with a time of 22.65 seconds. Kos also dominated the second leg in Illinois, winning gold in 22.91 seconds, while Carter finished joint-fifth in 23.17 seconds. Beyond his backstroke success, Carter also earned a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle final during the second leg of this year’s Swimming World Cup.

Racing enthusiasts are in for a treat as Santa Rosa Park in Arima gears up for an action-packed six-race card on October 25. The highlight of the day will be the penultimate race, a 1,100-meter turf event featuring a competitive field of five runners. Among the contenders, Sneaky Cheeky, ridden by Barbados’ leading apprentice jockey Raheem Thorpe, is tipped as the pre-race favorite. Thorpe, who has been brought in by trainer Ramesh Ramroop, will also ride Dreamcatcher, Uncle Rog, and Free Pass across the day’s events. The race card also includes the first two-year-old race of the 2025 season, with Dream Maker and Sweet Bird, trained by John O’Brien, set to compete. Post time for the races is scheduled for 12:45 pm, promising an exciting day for punters and racing fans alike.

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has unveiled a 24-member squad for the upcoming friendly match against Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz on October 28 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. This encounter serves as a vital preparatory step for the 2025/26 Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers, which kick off next month. Trinidad and Tobago, placed in Group F alongside Barbados, El Salvador, and Honduras, will begin their qualifying campaign against Barbados on November 30. The squad, announced on October 24, features a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talents, including overseas-based players Kedie Johnson and Maria-Frances Serrant. Notable inclusions are forward Kennya Cordner, defenders Karyn Forbes and Victoria Swift, and the dynamic Naomie Guerra. The team also boasts emerging stars like Kaitlyn Darwent and Nikita Gosine, alongside the attacking trio of Alexcia Ali, Afiyah Cornwall, and Aaliyah Prince. Goalkeeping duties will be contested by Nicolette Craig, Keri Myers, and Tenesha Palmer. The team’s preparation has been marred by challenges, including the sudden resignation of former head coach Angus Eve just three weeks after his September 30 appointment. His departure, confirmed by a TTFA official on October 21, has left the team under the interim guidance of coaches Damian Briggs and Densill Theobald. Briggs emphasized the team’s focus on rebuilding and fostering unity, stating, ‘We are in a rebuild stage with a blend of experienced and young players. Our immediate goal is the Jamaica friendly, after which we’ll reflect and improve for the qualifiers.’ The match against Jamaica, coached by Hubert Busby, will be a significant test for the TT women, who have recently played practice games against local youth teams, including a dominant 7-1 victory over St Mary’s College Under-14s. As the team gears up for the Concacaf qualifiers, questions remain about potential additional friendlies before their November 30 clash with Barbados. The qualifiers will culminate in the 2026 Concacaf Women’s Championship, which serves as a pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.

Presentation College Chaguanas has officially been crowned the champions of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) championship division for the 2025 season. This victory was solidified after the league’s appeals committee upheld a prior decision to award the school all three points for a match against Chaguanas North Secondary that was abandoned on September 22. The disciplinary committee had initially ruled in favor of Presentation on October 13, granting them a 3-0 win due to Chaguanas North’s failure to adequately prepare the Edinburgh 500 Recreation Ground venue. Chaguanas North contested this decision, arguing that they had made every effort to meet the required standards before the scheduled kickoff. However, on October 22, the appeals committee, comprising Forbes Persaud, Rudolph Hope, and chairman Derek West, reviewed the case virtually and unanimously supported the disciplinary committee’s ruling. The final verdict was delivered on October 24, confirming Presentation’s victory. Chaguanas North officials had claimed that the referee overstepped his authority in abandoning the game and cited a precedent from the previous season where a match involving Presentation was rescheduled due to field issues. Nonetheless, the appeals committee emphasized the referee’s ultimate authority under Law 1 of the game, which governs the field of play. Following this decision, Presentation went on to defeat Chaguanas North 3-1 in their reverse fixture on October 14, finishing the central zone with 27 points from ten games. Chaguanas North secured second place with 22 points. With the matter resolved, Presentation now sets its sights on the First Citizens Boys’ ‘Big 5’ campaign, aiming for promotion to the premier division. They will begin their campaign on November 1 against Speyside Secondary, the Tobago championship division winners. Hillview College (east) and Mucurapo West Secondary (north) have also secured their spots in the Big 5, with the top three teams earning promotion for the 2026 premier division season.