标签： Barbados

A dramatic Sunday in the Barbados Football Association Premier League witnessed a significant power shift as Paradise FC stormed back to the summit with a commanding 5-0 victory over UWI Blackbirds. This decisive win, coupled with former leaders Brittons Hill’s surprising 3-1 defeat to Kickstart Rush, propelled Paradise to the top of the table with 21 points.

The Dover-based Paradise side delivered a masterclass in offensive play at the Wildey Turf. Kamol Griffith emerged as a key protagonist, netting a brace, while Sheran Hoyte, Tiago Barrow, and Shamari Harewood each contributed a goal to complete the comprehensive rout. The team’s dominance was so absolute that goalkeeper Jireh Malcom was afforded a rest in the closing stages of the match.

Reflecting on the volatile nature of the season, Paradise coach Mario Harte praised the league’s competitiveness. ‘It’s a good feeling to start the second round with a win,’ Harte stated. ‘Our philosophy remains taking it game by game. Fitness is paramount, and the players are responding exceptionally well.’

In the day’s early fixture, a crucial top-of-the-table clash saw Kickstart Rush dismantle Brittons Hill’s leadership ambitions. Azarel Crooney initiated the upset with an eighth-minute opener, followed by a superb 62nd-minute finish from national Under-17 talent Jamarco Johnson. Although Steven Pierre managed a consolation goal for Brittons Hill in the 73rd minute, Ethan Squires sealed Kickstart’s deserved victory with a last-gasp goal in stoppage time.

The day’s most devastating result saw Ellerton deliver an 8-0 demolition of a beleaguered Wotton side, whose day began with the departure of head coach Marlon Harte. Captain Shakille Belle spearheaded the assault with a impressive hat-trick, supported by a double from Roshon Gittens and additional goals from Marco St Hill, Keshem Moore, and Anson Barrow. This result leaves Wotton anchored at the bottom without a single point, facing a formidable battle against relegation.

With the league table now showing Paradise (21 points), Ellerton (20 points), and Kickstart Rush (20 points) separated by the narrowest of margins, the stage is set for a intensely competitive second half of the season.

Combermere School has emerged as the dominant force across both divisions following the inaugural day of competition in the Esther Maynard and Shane Brathwaite Zone of the DASANI BSSAC Championships. The event, hosted at the Barbados Light and Power Company-sponsored Usain Bolt Complex, witnessed a spectacular display of athletic prowess with twelve new zonal records established.

Combermere’s girls’ team commands the leaderboard with an impressive 282 points, holding a significant advantage over second-place Springer Memorial (250.5 points) and third-place Christ Church Foundation (230.5 points). The Alleyne School and St. George Secondary complete the top five with 128 and 93 points respectively. Mirroring this success, Combermere’s boys’ team leads with 261 points, followed by St. Leonard’s Boys’ (212 points) and Christ Church Foundation (188 points).

The track events were highlighted by a series of extraordinary record-breaking performances. Alec Simmons of Combermere shattered the Under-17 boys’ 1500m record, posting a remarkable time of 4:22.62 to demolish the previous benchmark of 4:26.16. In a thrilling Under-13 boys’ 200m, two athletes surpassed the existing record. Jace McClean of Combermere set a stunning new standard of 24.87 seconds, while Alex Jones-Ifill of St. Leonards also eclipsed the old mark with a time of 25.01 seconds.

Krystal Bentham continued Combermere’s record-spree by establishing a new mark in the Under-20 girls’ 400m, clocking 55.40 seconds. The senior sprints showcased intense competition, with Nyema Taylor of Combermere recording the fastest Under-20 girls’ 100m time at 12.27 seconds. The boys’ events were equally compelling, as Shamari Addison of Combermere posted the top Under-20 100m time of 10.84 seconds, narrowly outperforming teammate Dahrion Belgrave. The record-breaking concluded with Shamari Greendige-Lewis setting a new standard of 47.19 seconds in the Under-20 boys’ 400m.

In a significant development for Caribbean rugby, the Barbados Rugby Football Union (BRFU) has announced an international youth sporting event through its new partnership with Pelican Rugby Academy. The academy is preparing to welcome age-grade teams from St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School, traveling from Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada for a series of competitive matches.

The event will unfold on Wednesday at Barbados’ iconic rugby venue, the historic Garrison Savannah, which has long served as the heart of the island’s rugby community. The evening’s schedule features a diverse array of matches designed to showcase different skill levels and formats of the game.

The opening contest, scheduled for 5:30 p.m., will pit Pelican Rugby Academy’s U16 squad against St. Theresa’s U19 ‘B’ team in a touch/hold match format. This will be followed at 5:55 p.m. by a full contact/tackle match between Pelican’s U19 boys and St. Theresa’s U19 ‘A’ team, representing the main event of the international friendly encounter.

Additional programming includes an internal development match featuring Pelican Rugby Academy U16 girls versus Pelican Rugby Academy U16 boys playing touch rugby. The evening’s finale will conclude with another full contact/tackle match as Pelican Rugby Academy U19s face St. Theresa’s ‘B’ team in what promises to be a competitive closing match.

This international exchange represents growing ties between North American and Caribbean rugby programs and provides valuable competition experience for developing athletes from both nations.

A teenage track sensation from Barbados is rapidly emerging as one of Caribbean athletics’ most promising talents. Thirteen-year-old Jalino Hamlet, a student at St. Leonard’s Boys’ School, has demonstrated exceptional versatility across multiple sprint disciplines with remarkable personal best times of 11.15 seconds in the 100m, 21.91 in the 200m, and an impressive 48.79 in the 400m event.

Hamlet’s athletic journey originated at Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School where he first discovered his passion for running during his early academic years. Currently training with the Extreme Velocity Track Club under coaches Glen Williams and Juquan Beckles, the young sprinter is developing both technical proficiency and competitive discipline.

The rising star recently showcased his potential during the Esther Maynard and Shane Brathwaite Zone of BSSAC 2026, acknowledging his coaches’ pivotal role in his development. ‘They support me, train me hard and it is great to have both of them as coaches,’ Hamlet told Barbados TODAY.

Despite encountering adversity with a torn glute injury during the 2025 season, Hamlet demonstrated resilience by competing through discomfort at BSSAC. The challenge ultimately strengthened his determination and training ethic. His international experience includes earning a bronze medal in the 100m (11.69 seconds) at the 2025 Whitsuntide Games.

As the current BSSAC Championships approach, Hamlet has already established himself as a formidable contender after posting the fastest preliminary time (22.38 seconds) in the Under-15 boys’ 200m event, outpacing his nearest competitor by a significant two-second margin.

Looking toward regional competition, the young athlete aspires to medal at the upcoming CARIFTA Games in April, acknowledging the challenge while maintaining competitive optimism. Beyond immediate goals, Hamlet draws inspiration from American sprint champion Noah Lyles and ultimately aims to represent Barbados at the Olympic Games, potentially earning international recognition for his nation.