Carib Scope

标签： Saint Lucia

圣卢西亚

  • Bonne Terre court set to host league basketball after refurbishment

    Bonne Terre court set to host league basketball after refurbishment

    Hundreds of local community members and basketball enthusiasts from across Saint Lucia converged on Bonne Terre last weekend to celebrate the long-awaited grand reopening of the fully refurbished Bonne Terre Recreational Park, a venue that the Saint Lucia Basketball Federation (SLBF) has already confirmed will host official league matches moving forward. The celebratory opening event featured live local music, a high-energy exhibition basketball game between local club sides, and a wide selection of local street food, drawing players, families and long-time fans of the community spot to mark the occasion. The ceremony concluded with Gros Islet Member of Parliament Kenson Casimir officially unveiling the upgraded complex to the gathered crowd.

    For nearly 30 years, the Bonne Terre basketball court has served as a grassroots gathering spot for casual and competitive players across the region. What began as nothing more than a basic concrete slab with hoops mounted at either end slowly evolved over the decades, with basic lighting added in recent years to allow for evening play. The multi-phase $700,000 refurbishment project has transformed the space entirely, adding permanent spectator seating, expanded paved parking, public restrooms, dedicated changing rooms for athletes, and a new children’s play area complete with picnic tables for community events. These upgrades have dramatically expanded the facility’s functionality, turning a once-basic court into a full-service recreational hub for the entire northern Saint Lucia community.

    Fabian Florton, a long-time player with the local Bonne Terre Blazers basketball club who has been using the court for 25 of its 30 years of existence, explained that the upgrade came about after local organizers pushed for better infrastructure to support youth basketball development. “We needed a proper space to run youth training programs and give young players a safe, quality place to develop their skills,” Florton said. “We reached out to authorities, worked together to finalize a design for the space, and brought the project to life. Even we were surprised by how much unused space we had once we cleared overgrown brush from the site — the final result is beyond what we imagined. Right now, this is the best basketball court on the entire island. I’m looking forward to the SLBF bringing official league matches here in the near future.”

    SLBF President Glen Guiste, a former national player, coach and club administrator who has centered his tenure on expanding grassroots and youth basketball development across the country, echoed Florton’s enthusiasm. “I’m genuinely blown away by what the community has created here,” Guiste said. “This facility sets a new benchmark for recreational sports infrastructure across Saint Lucia, and I hope we can replicate this model in communities across the island. One of the core pillars of our federation’s strategic plan is expanding grassroots youth development, and this venue is perfectly designed to support that mission. Beyond youth training, it’s more than ready to host official league games, and I fully expect Bonne Terre Blazers to host their home matches here — the value of home court advantage for local teams can’t be overstated.”

    Guiste highlighted one often-overlooked upgrade that he said would be transformative for growing the sport, particularly for female athletes across the region: the new dedicated changing rooms. “If we want to grow basketball for all athletes, both men and women, we need safe, private, well-maintained facilities,” he explained. “This venue meets that standard completely, and it should be the new baseline that we follow for every future sports upgrade across the country.”

  • District Six claim Inter-District Champs

    District Six claim Inter-District Champs

    The Daren Sammy Cricket Ground played host to a thrilling day of youth competitive athletics on Wednesday, April 1, where underdog District Six pulled off a dramatic upset to claim the top prize at the 2026 Inter-District Primary School Athletics Championships, ending the multi-event winning streak of defending champion District Eight. What began as a gray, damp morning with steady rainfall shifted to bright, sunny conditions ideal for elite track-and-field competition, drawing hundreds of screaming spectators—including teachers, family members, and fellow students from across the region—to the venue for the penultimate major school sporting event of the academic term.

    The day’s opening events saw an early surge from District Five, representing the communities of Dennery and Micoud. Young runner Shandre Fontenelle delivered an immediate boost to his team’s standings, taking gold in the Under-13 boys’ 1200-meter race and silver in the Under-13 boys’ 600-meter. Those strong results pushed District Five into the early lead with 135 points, outpacing both District Six and the defending titleholders District Eight, who represents the Soufrière and Canaries regions. Despite standout individual performances across multiple disciplines from District Eight’s athletes, the tide of competition shifted dramatically once the sprint events got underway. By the conclusion of all sprint competitions, District Six had carved out a solid 17-point advantage over the rest of the field.

    That lead only grew through the final relay races, where District Six extended their gap to a commanding 41 points by the end of all competitions. When the final scores were tallied, District Six secured the overall championship title with 311 total points, beating out District Eight who finished as runners-up with 270 points. In the girls’ team rankings, District Six also claimed top honors with 180 points, ahead of District Eight’s 149. District Five held on to claim third place overall with 224 total points, with their boys’ team putting up a particularly strong fight to finish first in the boys’ rankings with 138 points, just edging out District Six’s 131 points. Rounding out the top five overall teams were District Two (representing North Castries) with 212 points, and District One (covering Gros Islet and Babonneau) with 173 points. The full final standings saw District Seven in sixth place with 126 points, District Three in seventh with 114 points, and District Four in eighth with 107 points.

    While District Six claimed the overall team crown, individual honors were spread across multiple districts, with District Eight earning three of the eight available individual event trophies. Shervel Gonzales turned in a dominant performance for District Eight, winning the Under-9 girls’ 60-meter sprint in 9.70 seconds and the 150-meter sprint in 23.52 seconds. Teammate Keyanni Gilbert claimed two titles as well, taking gold in the ball throw and the Under-11 girls’ 600-meter in a time of 2:07.03. District Eight’s third individual trophy went to Kayla Gills, who won both the Under-13 girls’ 80-meter (11.02 seconds) and 150-meter (20.10 seconds). In the over-13 girls’ division, Namika Bellas of District Two claimed top individual honors with an undefeated run of performances.

    On the boys’ side, multiple young athletes turned in breakout performances across age groups. Clevon McLawrence of District Three stood out in the Under-9 division, clocking 9.23 seconds to take gold in the 60-meter sprint and earn silver in the 150-meter. Avary Maryat of District One repeated as a double champion in the Under-11 division, defending his titles with winning runs in the 150-meter (20.63 seconds) and 300-meter (46.74 seconds). Individual honors in the two oldest boys’ divisions were split evenly across competing teams. Fontenelle, whose early performance pushed District Five into the lead, was one of three individual award winners in the Under-13 boys’ division. Vijay Blanchard earned District Six’s sole individual boys’ award, taking gold in the 80-meter and silver in the 150-meter, while District One’s Asa Emmanuel flipped that result to claim gold in the 150-meter and silver in the 80-meter. In the top division, Jeanquan JnPierre of District Three and Javan William of District Two each earned one gold and one silver medal to split top honors.

  • Seamoss project expands opportunities for women and youth

    Seamoss project expands opportunities for women and youth

    Across Saint Lucia, a transformative development initiative focused on expanding inclusion and economic growth in the local seamoss industry has wrapped up its implementation, leaving lasting positive change for marginalized groups including women and young people.

    Named the Empowering Youth and Women in the Seamoss Industry project, the effort was financed by the British High Commission and brought to life through on-the-ground coordination by the Eau Piquant Seamoss Farmers Association. A core priority of the program was upskilling local women to convert raw seamoss into high-value, natural skincare goods, creating new income streams that align with the growing global demand for plant-based personal care products.

    For many participants, the project has already reshaped their professional and personal lives. Claudia Clovis-David, a stay-at-home mother who previously worked as a seamoss farmer before a hemorrhagic stroke forced her to step back from active harvesting, is one of the program’s success stories. After mastering the process of crafting soap from seamoss and other natural ingredients, she now has a flexible work model that fits her family responsibilities.

    “It’s something that’s flexible, allowing me to be with my family and generate an income at the same time,” Clovis-David shared in an interview with St. Lucia Times. “I enjoy working with seamoss. It has a lot of great benefits, so I’m happy for this opportunity to interact with seamoss again.”

    Beyond supporting adult women entrepreneurs, the initiative also made long-term investments in youth engagement through partnerships with local secondary education institutions. Working alongside Beanfield Secondary School, the project organizers introduced third-form students to modern marketing strategies for seamoss-derived products, culminating in a student competition to design original logos for upcoming product lines. Organizers note that this early exposure is designed to spark lasting interest in the sector, paving the way for greater youth participation in Saint Lucia’s seamoss economy in coming years.

    The project also addressed longstanding accessibility barriers that have excluded many community members from seamoss farming. To make the work safer and more comfortable for people who cannot swim, the initiative funded the installation of purpose-built resting stations in ocean waters adjacent to active farming zones.

    Brian Walker, vice president of the Eau Piquant Seamoss Farmers Association, highlighted that the project’s participatory design was key to its strong outcomes. Unlike many externally funded initiatives that leave local communities out of planning, this program embedded the association in both the development and execution phases, fostering a shared sense of ownership over the work. “This project allowed us to be directly involved in the implementation and planning stage where funding monies were used, and that gives us a level of ownership of what we do and appreciation for the industry as a whole,” Walker explained, before extending gratitude to the British High Commission for its support.

    Doyin Adele-Shiyanbola, resident British Commissioner, echoed that praise, noting she was particularly impressed by how quickly participants have turned their new skills into active businesses. “I heard about how some of the women are already selling their products, and how they wanted to take it to a different level and market it not just in Saint Lucia but globally. I found that really inspiring,” she said.

    Looking ahead, program participants are now preparing to scale their new ventures, with plans to pursue regional and international market opportunities for their seamoss-based products as they launch their small businesses.

  • Sammy, St Ange prep swimmers for CARIFTA Aquatics

    Sammy, St Ange prep swimmers for CARIFTA Aquatics

    On Wednesday, April 1, a confident and high-spirited Team Saint Lucia set off from their home island to compete in the 2026 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships, which will be hosted across two venues in Martinique from April 3 to 8. The regional swimming and aquatics competition will run events at both the Pierre Samot Community Aquatic Centre in Le Lamentin and the open coastal waters of Anses d’Arlet.

    The roster traveling to the tournament includes 12 athletes, who made the crossing by boat following weeks of rigorous targeted preparation. The team features a mix of experienced returning medal winners hungry for more podium success and promising first-time competitors eager to make their mark on the regional stage. Ahead of their departure, all home-based swimmers wrapped up their final on-island training sessions over the weekend of March 29-30 at Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre.

    Beyond physical conditioning, the squad also received tailored mental and motivational support in their final preparation block. Team manager Denise Parks shared with local outlet St Lucia Times that the athletes got an inspiring pep talk from Daren Sammy, head coach of the West Indies men’s national cricket team, and completed a dedicated mental skills workshop with sports psychologist Yasmine St Ange.

    Local aquatics officials have singled out several athletes to watch as the competition gets underway. Standout competitors expected to deliver strong performances include Sapphire Parks in the 11-12 age girls’ division, University of Michigan freshman Antoine Destang in the 15-17 boys’ category, Jayden Xu and Noah Dorville, U.S.-based competitor Fayth Jeffrey, and Fayth Lubrun, who will compete alongside Jeffrey in the 15-17 girls’ division. A cohort of talented first-time team members is also ready to showcase their hard-earned skills at the Pierre Samot pool this week.

    On the organizational and financial side, Saint Lucia Aquatics Federation President Paul James confirmed to St Lucia Times that the governing body made a deliberate decision not to request funding from the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee for this tournament. The federation plans to pursue external sponsorship opportunities for larger competitions scheduled later in 2026 instead.

  • St Mary’s to represent Saint Lucia at Penn Relays

    St Mary’s to represent Saint Lucia at Penn Relays

    For Saint Lucia’s track and field community, a new chapter of athletic ambition is set to unfold this April, as a group of young athletes from St Mary’s College (SMC) prepare to break new ground as the first team from the island nation to compete at the iconic Penn Relay Carnival. Running from April 21 to 25 at the University of Pennsylvania’s historic Franklin Field – a venue that has hosted the prestigious meet since 1895 – the Saint Lucian delegation will compete in the High School Boys division, taking on competitors from across the globe in the 4x100m and 4x400m international relay events.

    The five-member SMC roster brings together some of Saint Lucia’s brightest emerging track talent, anchored by athletes with proven experience at regional competitions. Leading the squad is 17-year-old Terrick Plummer, who already represented Saint Lucia at the 2025 CARIFTA Games held in Trinidad & Tobago. He is joined by 16-year-old Joshua Matthew, the current national Under-17 champion for both the 200m and 400m distances. Rounding out the team are 16-year-olds Ethan Doxerie and Tai La Force, and 15-year-old Zayne Henry, with seasoned local coach Lenyn Leonce leading the group as they prepare for their global debut.

    This historic participation would not have been possible without the full backing of Hamilton Reserve Bank, the Caribbean region’s largest global bank by headquarters, which holds more than US$6 billion in total assets. The financial institution has covered all of the team’s costs and logistical needs, including international airfare, on-the-ground accommodations, daily meals, local transportation, and official competition gear for the delegation.

    In an official statement announcing the sponsorship, the bank framed its support as far more than a one-off contribution to a sports team. “This milestone event for Saint Lucia represents more than participation,” the release read. “It signals a strategic investment in youth development, global exposure, and high-performance sports by the largest global bank in the Caribbean region.”

    Merkisha Desir, a senior relationship banker at Hamilton Reserve Bank and a native of Saint Lucia, expanded on the bank’s commitment to lifting regional Caribbean talent. “At Hamilton Reserve Bank, we unlock Caribbean potential by connecting aspiration with access,” Desir explained. “For our bank, the Caribbean is home. Our corporate commitment to regional development extends beyond offering the fastest bank wires in the world in seconds and enabling new banking customers to be approved 100% online in 20 minutes. We are building bridges between Caribbean talent and global opportunities for years to come.”

    At the Penn Relays, SMC’s athletes will face off against delegations from across the Caribbean, with large contingents expected from regional track powerhouses including Jamaica, as well as other neighboring nations such as Trinidad & Tobago, The Bahamas, St Vincent & the Grenadines, and St Kitts & Nevis. Each year, the historic meet draws more than 15,000 student-athletes from hundreds of educational institutions across the world, making it one of the most high-profile track and field competitions for young emerging talent globally.

    For the SMC team – nicknamed the Samarians – the competition is viewed as a transformative learning opportunity that will pay dividends in future regional competitions. Local athletic leaders hope the experience gained on the global stage will translate to stronger performances at next year’s Island Champs relays. This year, across five relay events at the competition, the Samarians claimed just a single bronze medal, in the Under-16 4x400m division.

    Saint Lucia’s growing reputation in international track and field has risen sharply in recent years, anchored by the success of Julien Alfred, the island’s first Olympic gold medallist. With this debut appearance at the Penn Relay Carnival, the nation’s next generation of athletes is set to carry that momentum forward, extending Saint Lucia’s footprint on the global track and field landscape.

    The journey for these young athletes began locally at Saint Lucia’s Mindoo Phillip Park, where they have trained and competed for years, before earning the opportunity to take their talents to one of the world’s most iconic track venues. This milestone marks a breakthrough moment for the future of athletics in the small Caribbean nation.

  • St Mary’s College team reflect on 4th place debut at OECS robotics

    St Mary’s College team reflect on 4th place debut at OECS robotics

    The inaugural Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) robotics competition, hosted in St. Kitts on March 21, brought together young engineering talent from across the region to tackle pressing real-world environmental challenges, with a central focus on innovative solutions for waste management. Among the competing teams, St. Mary’s College (SMC) from St. Lucia delivered an impressive performance, claiming fourth place and earning widespread pride from the institution’s entire student body and staff.

    Leading the SMC team was Kyle Gajadhar, a dual major in science and business, who walked through the team’s design philosophy for their custom-built robot, dubbed “Helenite Prime”. Built specifically to align with the competition’s waste disposal theme, Helenite Prime was engineered to automatically collect and sort waste-like materials with notable speed and accuracy. Gajadhar explained that the robot’s design prioritized both flexible functionality and precise mechanical control: capable of identifying and picking up marked ball-shaped test objects, the machine then placed each item into corresponding pre-labeled containers to complete the sorting workflow.

    Though the team encountered unexpected technical setbacks over the course of the competition, members left the event satisfied with their work and focused on the knowledge they gained throughout the months of preparation and on-site competition. Gajadhar’s teammate Matthew George and faculty advisor Jahim Malcolm, SMC’s information technology instructor, echoed this positive outlook, emphasizing that the event delivered far more value than just a final ranking.

    For Malcolm, the greatest strength of the regional robotics competition lies in the unique cross-island collaboration and learning opportunities it provides. “We got to see different design approaches from teams across the region, and interact with our peers from other OECS member islands,” he noted. Beyond technical skills, the event allowed students to build new cross-regional friendships, pick up innovative engineering techniques, and gain hands-on experience that cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom setting. Gajadhar echoed this assessment, describing the event as a one-of-a-kind large-scale competition that pushed him and his teammates to grow. From learning to assemble custom mechanical and electronic components to refining iterative problem-solving processes, the practical skills gained are already shaping the students’ academic and career trajectories, he said.

    On a personal level, Gajadhar shared that the most rewarding part of the experience was seeing months of collaborative work turn into a fully functional robot. While he hopes to claim the top prize in future events, he emphasized that the sense of personal and team accomplishment was the real highlight of the journey. Already, the SMC team is planning for next year’s competition: Gajadhar made it clear that the team has set its sights on the first-place trophy, joking that they have already cleared space on their display shelf for the win.

    Looking ahead, Gajadhar is exploring career paths that combine his two passions, animation and computer science, and credits the competition with helping him clarify his technical interests. For SMC as an institution, Malcolm confirmed that the college will continue building on this year’s success, with a long-term goal of growing the school’s robotics program into a transformative initiative for student innovation. “We’re trying to create something revolutionary. We’re trying to make a difference,” Malcolm said, noting that the program is open to support from community individuals and local organizations as it expands.

    In closing, both Gajadhar and Malcolm extended sincere gratitude to everyone who supported the team’s preparation and participation, including the second student representative Matthew George and all institutional and community backers who helped bring the Helenite Prime project to life.

  • Republic Bank workers to receive 9.5% pay hike under new deal

    Republic Bank workers to receive 9.5% pay hike under new deal

    After weeks of closed-door negotiations, two key stakeholders in the Eastern Caribbean financial sector have reached a landmark consensus that will reshape working conditions for hundreds of bank employees. Republic Bank EC Limited, a leading regional financial institution, and the National Workers Union, the representative body for the bank’s clerical, technical and IT staff, have successfully finalized a new three-year industrial agreement that delivers tangible wage gains, retroactive compensation and upgraded workplace benefits for more than 140 workers.

    Under the terms of the newly struck deal, covered employees will see a cumulative 9.5% general wage increase spread across the three-year term of the agreement. The raises are phased incrementally, with a 3% increase set for the first year, a second 3% increase for the second year, and a final 3.5% adjustment in the third year of the contract. In addition to the scheduled incremental raises, the agreement also grants eligible workers more than 12 months of retroactive back pay, compensating them for the period between the expiration of the previous collective agreement and the finalization of the new deal.

    The breakthrough in negotiations was mediated by the Office of the Labour Commissioner, which stepped in to facilitate discussions and help both sides bridge remaining gaps on key issues. Alongside wage adjustments, the new agreement introduces a suite of upgraded benefits designed to address rising daily work costs for employees. These include a new $30 daily breakfast allowance, increased vehicle allowances for workers who use personal transportation for work purposes, and an annual uniform allowance of $1,400 for male staff and all probationary employees. The deal also formalizes a long-sought recognition for business banking officers, reclassifying the role as an official travelling position to align with the role’s actual day-to-day work requirements, which regularly require off-site client visits.

    Both parties have scheduled a formal signing ceremony to mark the conclusion of negotiations, set for Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The ceremony will be held at an official venue, with senior officials from the Department of Labour in attendance to witness the signing of the final agreement.

  • Trump says ‘Cuba is next’ as CARICOM moves to send aid to Havana

    Trump says ‘Cuba is next’ as CARICOM moves to send aid to Havana

    Tensions around U.S. policy toward Cuba have escalated in recent days after former President Donald Trump dropped a cryptic hint about potential new U.S. action against the island, at the same time that the Caribbean community mobilizes to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid to a country reeling from severe American sanctions.

    Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative summit hosted in Miami on March 27, Trump touched on Washington’s ongoing military and diplomatic posture toward neighboring Venezuela, when he offhandedly added the comment that sent shockwaves through regional policy circles. “We have been very, very successful. You know, when I went into Venezuela… I built this great military, I said, you’ll never have to use it, but sometimes you have to use it,” Trump told attendees. Before stepping away from the remark, he added, “And Cuba’s next, by the way, but pretend I didn’t say that, please.”

    The comment arrives against a backdrop of escalating U.S. economic pressure on Cuba that has been squeezing the island’s economy since early 2026. Washington moved to cut off Venezuela’s longstanding oil exports to Cuba that year, and has since issued formal threats to impose punitive tariffs on any third-party country that chooses to supply crude oil to the Caribbean nation. Because Cuba’s national energy infrastructure is almost entirely dependent on imported fuel to power electricity grids and transportation networks, these restrictive measures have triggered widespread fuel shortages, rolling national blackouts, and cascading economic disruptions that have worsened living conditions for millions of Cuban residents.

    Just last week, one Russian-flagged tanker carrying an estimated 730,000 barrels of crude oil was permitted to dock and unload its cargo at Cuban ports. But the White House moved quickly to clarify that the exception did not signal a shift in Washington’s hardline policy toward the island. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed to reporters that the sanctioned vessel was granted approval to deliver the shipment solely on humanitarian grounds, and that future cases of this nature would be evaluated and decided on an individual, case-by-case basis.

    As U.S. policy remains firmly anchored in pressure, regional governments have moved to coordinate a collective humanitarian response to address the growing crisis on the island. Member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) began mobilizing relief efforts last week, with the initiative coordinated through the CARICOM Secretariat based in Georgetown, Guyana. The relief package will include a wide range of urgently needed supplies: powdered milk, non-perishable staple goods including beans, wheat flour, rice and canned foods, basic essential medical equipment, renewable energy infrastructure such as solar panels and storage batteries, and water storage tanks to address widespread access gaps. Member states are collectively funding the purchase of these supplies, which are then prepared for shipment to Cuba. The entire effort has received backing from the government of Mexico, which has pre-vetted local Mexican suppliers capable of delivering the requested goods to departure ports, and will cover all costs of shipping the humanitarian cargo from Mexico to Cuban ports at no charge to the initiative.

  • Choiseul Secondary students win Regional Schools Investment Competition

    Choiseul Secondary students win Regional Schools Investment Competition

    A young student team from Saint Lucia’s Choiseul Secondary School has emerged as the overall winner of the third annual Regional Schools Investment Competition, an educational initiative organized by the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE) designed to introduce regional youth to foundational concepts of finance and investing. Now in its third iteration, the contest challenges participating student groups from across the Eastern Caribbean to develop data-backed investment strategies that respond to realistic market conditions, blending simulated fictional company assets with real-world economic scenarios to give participants hands-on learning experience.

    At an official award ceremony held last week, the Choiseul Secondary team, competing under the name Alite Investors, was officially crowned regional champion. The six-member team includes Melanie Poyotte, Deighdra Denis, Kayleigh Zoe Flavien, Alisha Jn Baptiste, Kayann Simon and Faith Charlemagne, guided by faculty coaches Shirle Ann James and Stephanie Theophane-Charles.

    In her acceptance speech delivered at the ceremony, team member Kayann Simon expressed gratitude for the transformative learning opportunity the competition provided. “The opportunity to participate in the regional school investment competition is one that I truly appreciate,” Simon said. “We gained a better understanding of how the stock market works in terms of the factors that influence share prices.” As the winning team, Alite Investors took home an array of prizes: custom backpacks filled with branded gifts from competition partners, official participation certificates, gold medals, an EC$540 investment gift voucher, and a EC$6,500 cheque awarded to their school to support future programming.

    Claiming second place in the regional competition was the Boys on the Hill Investment team from Grenada Boys’ Secondary School, made up of students Ericson Howard, Chemarion Ross, Caleb Williams, Ché Toussaint, and Jaedyn Pierre, led by teacher coach Jocelyn Emmons. For many competitors, the contest served as a first introduction to core financial concepts that they say will shape their long-term personal financial decisions. “Before this competition, I never knew what stock trading was. I normally heard it on the media but now I have an understanding of what I should do with my money and how it can shape my future,” second-place team member Caleb Williams shared.

    Two additional special awards were presented to outstanding teams this year. Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School’s team N’Oct’urnal Invests took home the honor for most creative video submission, while St. Martin’s Secondary’s SMSS Prosperity Pioneers won recognition for the most clear, well-structured strategic investment approach.

    Looking ahead, organizers have announced that the fourth edition of the competition, scheduled to launch at the end of this year, will be renamed the Trevor E. Blake Regional Schools Investment Competition, to honor Blake’s 25 years of transformative contributions to the ECSE and the broader Eastern Caribbean securities market. Blake, who retired from his post as managing director of the Exchange on December 31, 2025, leaves a legacy of expanding financial literacy and market access across the region.

  • Young man killed in suspected ambush

    Young man killed in suspected ambush

    A fatal weekend shooting in the quiet Bois Patat neighborhood of Castries has left one young man dead and a woman hospitalized with life-altering injuries, sending shockwaves through the close-knit local community.

    The deceased victim has been identified as Nicholas Rogers, a young man who lost his life in what local law enforcement sources describe as a carefully planned ambush-style attack. The attack unfolded while Rogers and his female companion were seated inside a private vehicle, catching the pair completely off guard before any help could be summoned.

    The woman, who has not yet been publicly named to protect her privacy during the ongoing investigation, suffered severe harm in the assault. First responders who arrived at the scene documented that she sustained multiple penetrating wounds across both of her lower legs and along the right side of her waist. She was immediately rushed to a nearby local hospital by emergency medical teams to receive urgent surgical and medical care, though no update on her current condition has been released as of press time.

    In the wake of the violent incident, law enforcement officials have formally opened a full criminal investigation to untangle the details of the attack. To date, key details around the shooting, including the full sequence of events leading up to the ambush and any clear motive for the violence, remain undisclosed. Police have not announced any suspects in connection with the killing, and have urged members of the public with any relevant information about the incident to come forward to assist with the inquiry.