分类： sports

Minister George Pledges Government Support for Antigua and Barbuda Special Olympics Team

As the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda finalizes preparations for two high-stakes regional and global Special Olympics competitions, the country’s top sports official has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to standing behind its neurodiverse and disabled athletic contingent.

Sports and Creative Industries Minister Dwayne George issued the formal assurance of ongoing support during a working meeting held Tuesday with Joy-Ann Harrigan, who holds dual roles as national director of Special Olympics Antigua and Barbuda and a special education lead within the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

The talks took place against a key backdrop: Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation is already gearing up to compete at the 2026 Special Olympics Caribbean Beach Games, scheduled to run November 18 to 22 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Following that regional event, the country will send a team to the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games, taking place October 16 to 24 in Santiago, Chile.

During the discussions, Harrigan provided Minister George with a comprehensive overview of the local Special Olympics program’s ongoing work, detailing its deep partnership with the Adele School for Special Children and multiple other public education institutions across the country to engage aspiring disabled athletes.

She also acknowledged the backing the program has already received from key national stakeholders, including the Antigua and Barbuda government, the National Olympic Committee, and the Antigua and Barbuda Athletic Association. That existing support has included granting the team access to the YASCO sports facility for regular training sessions, a critical resource for the athletes as they build fitness and skills ahead of competition.

Harrigan used the meeting to submit a formal appeal for targeted financial support from the ministry, specifically to cover the cost of air travel for athletes and delegation staff traveling to the Caribbean Beach Games in Jamaica. In response, George directed Harrigan to submit all required formal documentation outlining the funding request to his ministry, confirming that the government will move forward to process and provide the assistance once the proper paperwork is completed.

12 8 月, 2026
Athletes selected for Olympic development programme

The Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) has announced the selection of 11 rising young Barbadian athletes for the second iteration of its elite Youth Project Podium initiative, launched this week at the BOA’s headquarters with funding backing from two major supporters. This targeted development program is built to nurture emerging athletic talent throughout the current Olympic cycle, with the long-term goal of preparing competitors to compete and excel at top-tier international events, ranging from the Youth Olympics and Junior Pan Am Games all the way to the senior Olympic and Pan Am Games.

The selected athletes, who range in age from 16 to 23, represent a diverse set of Olympic sports: Deann Walton competes in judo, Savannah Stuart in sailing, Lenna Hamati in squash, four athletes — Victor Ashby, Amiya Harrison, Jaiya Simmons, and Mihael Sobers — come from swimming, and five competitors round out the cohort in triathlon: Matthew Briggs-Legall, Alexis Lashley, Laila McIntyre, and Zindzele Renwick-Williams. Funding for the 2024 cohort is made possible through grant support from the Amarone Charitable Trust and Panam Sport, enabling the program to deliver comprehensive support beyond just competitive training.

BOA Secretary General Erskine Simmons framed the program as a key continuation of the association’s ongoing investment in the future of Barbadian sport. “Our first Youth Project Podium taught us a great deal about the unique needs of developing athletes and the importance of supporting them beyond just competition results,” Simmons explained. “We have taken those lessons and used them to strengthen this second edition. This year we welcome a smaller cohort which represents a more focused approach to athlete development, with each athlete identified as having clear potential to progress along the BOA’s performance pathway.”

Kendia Brathwaite, BOA Senior Operations Officer and lead for the Youth Project Podium, outlined the rigorous multi-stage selection process the organization used to pick this year’s participants. “We reached out to all our national sport federations and distributed a structured questionnaire to guide them in putting forward their most promising athletes,” Brathwaite said. “On top of that, we also used competitive results from recent editions of the Youth Commonwealth Games and Youth Olympics as a performance benchmark to evaluate all nominated candidates.”

Unlike many athlete development programs that focus solely on physical training, Youth Project Podium takes a holistic approach to supporting young competitors. Brathwaite detailed the full range of resources available to selected athletes, covering both athletic and personal growth: access to specialized sports medicine doctors, nutrition guidance, physical therapy support, mental skills coaching, podiatry care, personal branding training, and communications development.

The program’s core mission, Brathwaite explained, is to identify and nurture junior talent early in their careers, laying a structured pathway for them to advance to higher levels of competitive performance and achieve long-term success. “We of course, at the Olympic Association, would love to win medals at the junior level. These athletes selected for this cohort have the potential to go on to represent Barbados at the Youth Olympic Games later this year, the Youth Commonwealth Games next year, and then the Junior Pan Am Games after that,” she said, adding that the second cohort is part of a broader BOA push to strengthen junior athlete pipelines across all national federations.

David Csumrik, a trustee with funding partner Amarone Charitable Trust, expressed his organization’s pride in partnering with the BOA on the initiative. “We feel the first edition was very successful and I am sure the second edition will be successful,” Csumrik said. “I am hoping the athletes have fun and enjoy the experience. Work hard but remember sport is supposed to be fun. Make us all proud.”

11 8 月, 2026
Kings welcomed home for local CPL leg

As the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) enters its home stretch for regional fixtures, the Saint Lucia Kings have made their much-anticipated return to their home island, kicking off their local campaign with a celebratory welcome event hosted by Bay Gardens Resorts. The cocktail reception, held at the Kimchi and Callaloo Restaurant located within Sapphire Sands Villas, brought together team players, league officials, and sports journalists to mark the franchise’s homecoming and rally support ahead of the upcoming matches.

In a keynote address during the event, Daren Sammy — the former Saint Lucia Kings captain who now leads the side as head coach — formally introduced this year’s roster to attendees. Sammy highlighted the unique makeup of the 2024 squad, noting that while the team brings together players from diverse cricketing backgrounds, every member shares an intense passion for the sport that aligns perfectly with the iconic, resilient spirit of the Saint Lucian people.

For Sammy, returning to the island for home fixtures carries more than just sporting significance; it represents an opportunity to put Saint Lucia’s vibrant culture and hospitality on a global stage. “It’s always good to be back home. Saint Lucia is a place where people love to travel. And I think Saint Lucia Kings have a part to play in showcasing Saint Lucia to the world,” he shared at the reception.

The CPL currently draws a global audience of more than 1 billion viewers across broadcast and streaming platforms, a reach that Sammy says gives the franchise a unique platform to highlight what makes the island special. “Saint Lucia Kings, the way we play, the excitement we bring, people love to watch us, and we have a team of players that… when they wear that blue, they bleed Saint Lucian spirit,” he added.

The event also drew attendance from senior tourism leadership, including Louis Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority. Lewis emphasized the significant commercial and promotional value that the Saint Lucia Kings bring to the island’s economy, particularly through the global exposure the CPL provides, and reaffirmed the tourism authority’s full support for the team throughout the 2024 season.

Lewis also shared his confident hopes for the franchise’s performance this year, telling attendees: “I’m already looking forward to September when I’ll be going across to Barbados to see the finals. But I want you to make it real for me so that we can get there.”

11 8 月, 2026
Saint Lucia, Kalinago split tapeball openers

A longstanding tradition of cross-border friendly sports rivalry has entered its latest chapter, as the 2026 tapeball cricket series between visiting teams from Saint Lucia and the host Kalinago Territory of Dominica kicked off this week at the Kalinago Playing Field. The opening round of matches ended in an even split, with each side claiming one win: Saint Lucia’s veteran squad took the opening fixture, while the Kalinago national team secured a narrow seven-run victory in the day’s senior contest.

In the opening veterans’ match, the Kalinago side won the toss and chose to bat first, posting a competitive total of 159 runs for the loss of 9 wickets across the allocated 15 overs. Top-order batters Haynes Viville and Raymond Casimir anchored the host innings, contributing 44 and 36 runs respectively to build the challenging target. Saint Lucia’s bowling attack responded with a disciplined performance, led by Glen Eurysthee and Fendley Estephane, who each claimed three wickets to restrict Kalinago’s final score.

Chasing 160 runs for victory, Saint Lucia lost just three wickets before crossing the finish line in the 19.5th over. All-rounder Sean Auguste delivered a standout performance, scoring 62 runs and taking one wicket to earn player-of-the-match honors, with valuable supporting contributions from Julius Simon, who added an unbeaten 56 runs to the winning total.

Momentum shifted firmly in the hosts’ favor in the 10-over national team match that followed. Batting first, the Kalinago national side put up 120 runs for 5 wickets, with four batters reaching double figures: Jason Paris, Riyel Paris, Daren Toussaint, and player-of-the-match Neo Davis all made key contributions to the host total.

Saint Lucia got off to a blistering start in their chase, reaching 42 runs without losing a wicket in just two opening overs, with opening batter Orey Changoo quickly notching 41 runs. However, the game turned dramatically from the third over onward, as Kalinago bowlers Fred Paris and Kevin Paris took charge, each claiming three wickets to break Saint Lucia’s opening partnership and trigger a steady collapse of the visitor’s batting order. Saint Lucia was bowled out for 113 runs in the 9.3rd over, giving Kalinago a tight seven-run win to level the series.

The annual home-and-away tapeball series between the two sides is now a well-established regional tradition, with reciprocal tours stretching back multiple years. In 2025, it was Dominica’s turn to travel across the eastern Caribbean to compete in Saint Lucia, with the 2026 tour marking the latest installment of the friendly cross-community rivalry.

11 8 月, 2026
Mahaut Soca Strikers edge South East FC in five-goal DFA thriller

In a gripping, action-packed encounter on Saturday night, Dominica’s top-flight football delivered all the drama fans have come to expect, as Mahaut Soca Strikers FC edged out South East FC by a narrow 3-2 scoreline in the latest round of Dominica Football Association (DFA) Premier League action.

From the opening whistle, neither side was willing to cede ground, turning the match into a tightly contested battle for territorial control and scoring opportunities. Both squads came into the fixture hungry for valuable league points, and that competitive energy translated into an end-to-end contest that kept stands packed with engaged supporters from kickoff to final whistle.

Attacking football was the order of the day, with both teams showcasing clear attacking intent and unwavering determination to claim all three points. The five-goal thriller produced multiple standout moments that had fans on the edge of their seats, as the lead shifted multiple times before Mahaut Soca Strikers managed to cement their advantage.

When the final referee’s whistle blew, it was Mahaut Soca Strikers who emerged victorious, holding off a late push from South East FC to secure a hard-fought three points that will boost their position in the Premier League standings. In recognition of his impactful, game-changing performance throughout the 90 minutes, Jahmo Talbert took home the Man of the Match award, for his key contributions that ultimately paved the way for his side’s win. The result adds another exciting chapter to this season’s DFA Premier League campaign, highlighting the competitive parity and thrilling football on offer across Dominica’s top domestic competition.

11 8 月, 2026
Team Dominica makes history with first-ever world athletics U20 medal

The small Caribbean island nation of Dominica has etched its name into the global youth athletics record books, following a breakthrough performance by its two-person national team at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships held in Eugene, Oregon. The Dominica Athletic Association Inc. (DAA Inc.) is hailing this outing as a transformative milestone for the country’s track and field program, marking the first time a Dominican athlete has claimed a medal at the prestigious under-20 global competition.

Leading the historic charge was javelin thrower Addison James, who delivered a standout effort against a stacked field of the world’s top young talent to secure the bronze medal. James’ podium finish cements his status as a rising star in Caribbean athletics and puts Dominica firmly on the map as an emerging competitor in global youth track and field.

Joining James on the delegation was sprinter Kerelle Etienne, who represented Dominica in the women’s 100-meter event. Etienne turned heads with her strong showing, outperforming many elite young runners to advance from the preliminary rounds to the competition’s semi-final. Her run marked another notable achievement for the small delegation, showcasing the depth of emerging talent coming out of the island nation.

The team’s success did not come by accident. In the weeks leading up to the championships, the pair and their head coach Godwin Dorsette completed an intensive, high-performance training camp hosted right in Eugene from July 22 to August 3. During the pre-competition preparation period, the Dominican squad trained side-by-side with fellow Caribbean teams from Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, creating a collaborative environment that elevated all three nations’ preparation efforts.

In a statement following the conclusion of the championships, DAA Inc. celebrated the breakthrough results, noting that the team’s performance sets an inspiring new benchmark for current and future generations of Dominican athletes. The association emphasized that the historic medal and Etienne’s deep run in the sprints demonstrate that Dominica’s presence in international track and field is growing stronger year over year. DAA Inc. officially extended its warmest congratulations to Coach Dorsette, James, and Etienne, adding that it looks forward to watching the young athletes continue their athletic and academic pursuits as they return to their respective schools.

11 8 月, 2026
DCA’s Clement Marcelin thanks corporate partners, as Dominica celebrates Windward Islands Super 50 triumph

Dominica’s senior men’s national cricket team capped off a standout run at the 2026 Windward Islands Super 50 Championship by securing the tournament title on August 4, a victory that association leaders say would not have been possible without consistent backing from the island’s corporate and public sector partners.

In a post-tournament interview with local RF Media Services held on Monday, Clement Marcelin Jr., president of the Dominica Cricket Association, opened by extending sincere gratitude to every business and institution that has continued to invest in the island’s grassroots and elite cricket programming. Marcelin emphasized that ongoing corporate sponsorship is not just a nice-to-have for Dominican cricket — it is the foundational support that allows emerging and established players alike to hone their skills on the pitch and earn critical competitive exposure at the regional level.

The championship final itself showcased Dominica’s well-rounded competitiveness, starting with a dominant batting display that set the team up for victory. The side put up an impressive 248 runs all out from 44.3 overs, led by a standout innings from Earsinho Fontaine who remained unbeaten on 90 runs off just 91 deliveries. Stephan Pascal further bolstered the total with a solid 57 runs from 70 balls, giving Dominica a defensible target heading into the second innings.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines got off to a promising start in their chase, with opening batters Ethan Gibson and Desron Maloney pairing up to build a 94-run opening stand that put the title within reach. But Dominica’s bowling attack rallied under pressure, anchored by Jedd Joseph who claimed three key wickets to turn the tide of the match and secure the championship win for the island.

Marcelin went on to outline the specific contributions of key sponsors that made the season and tournament run possible. The National Cooperative Credit Union provided support for the association’s Premier Division, while the Central Cooperative Credit Union backed the Intermediate Division, and the Government of Dominica covered the national team’s airfare for the regional tournament.

Despite the historic title win, Marcelin stressed that the victory is a reward for the years of work invested into the program, not a signal that development work is complete. He issued a public call for additional local and regional companies to step forward and partner with the association to grow cricket across the island, noting that sustained investment will be needed to build on this latest success. Looking ahead, Marcelin confirmed that the association and national team management will continue prioritizing iterative improvement across all areas of the program, even as the team celebrates this major regional achievement.

11 8 月, 2026
New York to host 2026 Juan Pablo Duarte Games from August 14 to 23

SANTO DOMINGO — Dominican Republic’s Minister of Sports Kelvin Cruz has officially unveiled plans for the 2026 iteration of the Juan Pablo Duarte Games, a major cross-border sporting event set to take over New York City from August 14 to 23. The multi-day competition is projected to draw over 2,000 participants, including competitive athletes based in the Dominican Republic and young athletes with Dominican heritage residing in the United States.

Far more than a typical sports tournament, the 2026 Games carry three core objectives: to foster widespread participation in athletic activity across the Dominican community, deepen the cultural and social bonds between the Dominican Republic and its large diaspora spread across the U.S., and create spaces that encourage greater cultural exchange and community integration between native and diaspora Dominican populations.

This year’s edition holds special honors, with the full event dedicated to two iconic figures in Dominican sports: José Joaquín Puello, the lifetime president emeritus of the Dominican Olympic Committee, and veteran sprinter Felicia Candelario. The dedication comes as recognition of the pair’s decades-long contributions to Dominican athletics and their recent induction into the Dominican Sports Hall of Fame.

Competitors will travel from across the Northeastern United States to take part, with registered delegations already confirmed from New York, Rhode Island, Lawrence (Massachusetts), Pennsylvania, and Boston. Organizers also expect additional teams to join from Connecticut and New Jersey, with large groups of local athletes coming from three of New York City’s most populated boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. In total, 22 different sports will be contested throughout the 10-day event.

The primary hub for all competition will be the athletic facilities at George Washington High School, located in the Manhattan borough of New York. Beyond athletic matches, the full event schedule also includes a lineup of cultural and artistic programming that highlights Dominican heritage, giving attendees and participants a well-rounded experience beyond sports.

Minister Cruz emphasized that the 2026 Games are made possible through a collaborative public-private partnership, bringing together the Dominican Ministry of Sports, the Dominican Consulate in New York, Banreservas (the Dominican Republic’s largest public financial institution), and a range of additional supporting community and institutional partners.

The 2026 tournament marks a key milestone for the event: after a multi-year hiatus, the Juan Pablo Duarte Games were revived in 2025 during Cruz’s tenure as Sports Minister, and 2026 will mark the second consecutive year the event has been held since its return.

11 8 月, 2026
Belangrijkste spelers om dit seizoen in het Europese voetbal in de gaten te houden

As top European football leagues enter their final pre-season preparations with friendly matches and training camps in full swing, the global football community has turned its full attention to the ongoing summer transfer window, where clubs are rushing to fill final roster gaps for both their starting lineups and depth squads ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. This season, three global superstars — Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Lamine Yamal — stand out as the most anticipated players to watch across the Premier League, La Liga, and the UEFA Champions League.

This summer’s transfer market has already delivered several high-profile moves: English international Elliot Anderson made the switch from Nottingham Forest to reigning Premier League champion Manchester City, while Ivorian talent Yan Diomandé moved from German side RB Leipzig to Spanish giant Real Madrid. Persistent transfer rumors also continue to swirl around Manchester City midfield anchor Rodri, with FC Barcelona emerging as a reported potential destination. Even with these big-name moves, this summer’s transfer activity has been surprisingly muted compared to recent years, marking one of the most stable off-seasons for European top-flight rosters in the last decade.

Below, we break down the most influential players whose form will likely define their clubs’ title chances this coming season, backed by on-pitch performance data from recent campaigns:

### Declan Rice – Arsenal
Fresh off a disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign with England, 27-year-old Declan Rice is fully focused on reaffirming his status as an irreplaceable cog for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side. Since joining from West Ham United, Rice has become the backbone of Arsenal’s defensive structure and ball retention system, while emerging as a lethal threat on set pieces – a major weapon for the Gunners last term. Arsenal scored a league-high 24 goals from set pieces last season, with eight coming from Rice’s deliveries and three more directly from his assists. The summer arrival of Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United has slightly eased the physical and tactical burden on Rice, but his role remains non-negotiable as Arsenal chases its first Premier League title in decades.

### Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes has been the beating heart of Manchester United’s first team since his arrival in 2020, and he remains the club’s most irreplaceable player — a long-term injury to Fernandes would leave United with no easy replacement. Last season, Fernandes delivered a career-best performance in the Premier League, notching 21 assists, more than any other player in the league, while leading the division in total chances created and progressive passes. He generates a large share of United’s attacking opportunities, but the summer departure of midfield partner Casemiro is expected to increase his defensive workload, a shift that could have a major impact on his attacking output this season.

### Cole Palmer – Chelsea
Cole Palmer’s value to Chelsea lies in his versatile attacking threat, which has quickly made him the focal point of the Blues’ rebuild. After a breakout 2024/25 season where he was directly involved in 29 Premier League goals, Chelsea has built its entire attacking structure around Palmer’s creative ability. His unique skill set, which allows him to both score consistently and create high-quality chances for teammates, makes him impossible to replace for the West London side. After a underwhelming 2025/26 campaign, the 2026-27 season represents a key test: Palmer needs to return to his top form to push Chelsea back into title and European contention.

### Erling Haaland – Manchester City
Erling Haaland’s outsized importance to Manchester City is underscored by his 27 Premier League goals in the 2025/26 season, which earned him his third consecutive Premier League Golden Boot. As City’s elite finisher, he converts the team’s sustained attacking dominance into valuable points on the table. His mere presence forces opposing defenses to assign multiple markers to him, opening up space and opportunities for City’s other attacking playmakers. If Rodri does leave the club this summer, Haaland will face increased pressure to create and finish more goals to keep City at the top of the league.

### Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool
Szoboszlai was a key driving force behind Liverpool’s 2024/25 Premier League title win, and he stepped up again to carry the team through a disappointing 2025/26 campaign. He led Liverpool in both chances created and successful passes in the final third of the pitch last season, and his positional versatility — which has seen him fill in effectively at right back when needed — makes him nearly irreplaceable for Arne Slot’s side.

### Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid
Mbappé’s form will go a long way toward determining whether Real Madrid can end Barcelona’s run of two consecutive La Liga titles. Last season, Mbappé notched 25 goals and five assists in 31 La Liga appearances, and he finished as the top scorer in the Champions League with 15 goals. The biggest challenge for Real Madrid is not Mbappé’s ability, but rather integrating his talent alongside fellow superstar Jude Bellingham to maximize both players’ impact. New Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has been tasked with solving this tactical puzzle ahead of the new season.

### Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
The influence of 19-year-old Lamine Yamal has grown steadily at Barcelona, especially as former star striker Robert Lewandowski’s on-pitch impact has declined. Last season, Yamal recorded 16 goals and 11 assists in just 28 appearances, directly contributing to 27 competitive goals for the club. His ability to create chances and beat defenders one-on-one forces opposing defenses to completely adjust their structure to contain him. Yamal’s impact was a core factor in Barcelona’s domestic treble win last season.

### Ousmane Dembélé – Paris Saint-Germain
Current Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé remains invaluable to PSG, thanks to his unique combination of finishing, creativity, and all-around attacking contribution. In the 2024/25 season, Dembélé scored 35 goals and was directly involved in 51 total goals for the French champions. He notched a solid 17 goals in 22 Ligue 1 appearances and 10 goals in eight Champions League matches last season, though the campaign was seen as a step down from his record-breaking 2024/25 form.

### Harry Kane – Bayern München
Since joining Bayern München from Tottenham Hotspur, Harry Kane has transformed into one of the most lethal finishers in European football. Last season, he scored 36 goals in 31 Bundesliga appearances, earning him his third consecutive Bundesliga Golden Boot, and added another 14 goals in the Champions League. His relentless goalscoring instinct remains one of Bayern’s most valuable assets as they chase both domestic and European glory.

### Marcus Rashford – Manchester United (Tentative)
After a rocky spell at Manchester United that saw him fall out of favor under former manager Ruben Amorim, Rashford revived his career last season on loan at Barcelona, where he reconnected with his best form. He is still not confirmed to be at Old Trafford for the 2026-27 season, but new interim manager Michael Carrick is open to giving Rashford a second chance at his boyhood club. In 32 La Liga appearances for Barcelona last season, Rashford scored eight goals, and his play showed clear signs of a return to the elite level he reached in previous years. Wherever he plays next season, if Rashford can fully regain his top form, his pace and clinical finishing will make him a nightmare for opposing defenses.

From defending champions to title-chasing contenders, these 10 players are unquestionably the ones who will decide the story of the 2026-27 European football season.

11 8 月, 2026
Saint Lucia women to defend volleyball title after tense wait

The 2026 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Championships are set to kick off this week at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and for Saint Lucia’s national squads, the road to the tournament has been anything but smooth. The nation’s defending women’s champion team will step onto the court this week after weeks of uncertainty that almost kept both the women’s and men’s teams out of the competition entirely.

Sources with direct knowledge of the Saint Lucia Volleyball Association (SLVA) confirmed to local media that up until the start of this week, program leaders for both national squads had no guarantee they would compete. Severe funding gaps left the association scrambling to cover travel costs, putting both teams at high risk of a last-minute withdrawal. In a dramatic turnaround over the 72 hours leading into the tournament, the SLVA successfully secured the full amount of funding needed to book a charter flight for both squads, clearing the final barrier to participation.

For the defending champion women’s squad, the team brings a core of experienced veteran talent from their 2025 title-winning run. Seven players from the 2025 Final Four championship roster are returning to compete, including a host of award-winning standouts who dominated individual honors at the last tournament. Team captain Cindy Wilson, a decorated playmaker, previously earned the tournament’s Best Setter award. At the 2025 event, Tenayestigni Joseph took home two individual honors: Best Digger and Best Libero, while Amalia Louis claimed awards for Best Outside Hitter and Best Receiver. The other returning veterans include Nevaeh Wilson, Denila Prospere, Clio Phillip and Chenoa Evans.

Head coach Kendall Charlery and team manager Khrisann Eugene have built out a 10-player roster for this year’s tournament, with three new talents joining the core group: Jemima Evans, Nyoka Nugent and Yosherbel Emmanuel. Notably absent from this year’s squad is star opposite player Lisa Casimie, who was the Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Final Four, and also took home awards for Best Opposite and Best Scorer at that event.

Saint Lucia’s women’s program is one of the most successful in the history of the ECVA senior women’s division, with six overall championship titles to their name. Recent victories include titles in 2022, 2024, and the 2025 Final Four tournament held last September. The team also carries momentum from a recent gold medal win at the Windward Islands Schools Games just one month ago.

Alongside the women’s squad, Saint Lucia’s men’s national team will also compete in this week’s ECVA Championships, joining the action at the Tortola venue. The men’s program enters the tournament with strong recent form: they claimed bronze at the last full-format ECVA competition and took home a silver medal at the 2025 Final Four tournament.

11 8 月, 2026