Sports

The second annual Central Christian School Charity Golf Tournament commenced on time Saturday, April 26 at the Temenos Golf Club. One hundred Golfers began to tee off at 9:30 a.m. and finished around 2:00 pm. As seen in many articles leading up to the event, the purpose of the tournament was to raise funds for the construction of a new primary school that will be located in The Quarter. Last year’s event raised US $57,000 and this year much money was raised.

The Anguilla Yacht Regatta, now in its sixth year, is scheduled for May 9, 10 and 11. It includes the Battle of the Banks, a keen competition involving sailing teams from the Caribbean Commercial Bank, holder of the trophy for the past two years, and the National Bank of Anguilla which is determined to regain the championship title.

The captains of both teams and some of their members, along with Matt Tremble of the Board of Directors of the Anguilla Sailing Association, held a press briefing on Tuesday, April 29, to discuss the May 10 12-metre race between the two indigenous banks.

Mr. Tremble reported that the current winning records for the banks were CCB, which pilots True North 4, three wins and NBA which pilots Stars and Stripes, two wins. “Both teams have become accustomed to their vessels and I don’t think they want to change at this time and point,” he stated. “Caribbean Commercial Bank is ahead by one race so this year National Bank of Anguilla can even the score but only time will tell. The race is scheduled for 3.00 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, so cross your fingers for good weather.”

Cleo Hamm, CCB’s Research and Advertising Officer, who filled in for Myrna Sasso, captain of True North 4, described the competition as being “friendly rivalry.” He said boat-racing was an Anguillian tradition and his bank was “very proud to be part of such an event.” He added: “Like our boat’s name that’s where we are heading – always to the top. So far we have 25 people ready to get on the boat.”

Romare Kelsick, Head of Data Processing at NBA, and captain of Stars & Stripes, commented that like his CCB opponents, “Our tactic is to win by any means necessary.” He observed that the model yacht trophy had been at CCB for two consecutive years. “It looks rather strange to me because I have not seen it for sometime so it is really time to bring this trophy home. The Stars & Stripes along with our crew at NBA will definitely be redeeming ourselves this year because, as our motto says, ‘we are more than banking’ and one thing we hate to do is to lose. We always try to be the best in everything and we will be taking that same spirit into the race.”

The three-hour race, which starts and ends at Sandy Ground, will cover a distance of 26 nautical miles. The boats, stationed in St. Maarten, are meticulously maintained on a daily basis and are among the most used pleasure vessels in the region for cruises.

Matt Tremble explained: “The boats and crews are equally matched for the banks’ challenge race and the only difference on the day of the race will be the people manning the boats, how well they pay attention, how quickly they can crank and the response time. The difference is in the crew.”

He said the route for the general yacht regatta including the banks’ competition was called the “Beach Jam Course.” That is because “it brings the boats into the western beaches where there are some of the larger hotels so visitors to the island can also be involved in the race as spectators.”

Mr. Tremble added: “We would like to thank everyone involved in the Anguilla Sailing Association which in turn raises funds for the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club. That’s why we are doing this so that we can teach the national sport in Anguilla to the island’s youth.”

The weather could not have been more perfect for the start of the 10th Annual Optimist Triathlon on Sunday, April 20, sponsored by Cable and Wireless and Flag/Temenos Anguilla. At least fifty people in total registered for the competition in various categories. Swimmers in both the serious and fun categories all began the meet at Meads Bay while the cyclists patiently waited for them to get out of the water. The running segment started at Cable and Wireless with the finish line at Elodia’s Beach Bar and Restaurant.

A large crowd of spectators and players alike were on hand for the official opening of the Anguilla Female Football League (AFFL) on Sunday, April 20 at 3:00 pm. Five teams lined the field at the James Ronald Webster Park for the opening ceremony chaired by Mr. Colin Johnson, a member of the AFFL Committee and the Director of the AFFL. Mr. Johnson made brief remarks in which he said to the athletes, “Play hard, play well and may the best team win.”

The Anguilla Pepper Steppers (Anguilla’s Premier Skipping and Rope Demonstration ) Team, were in Tortola from Friday 4th to Monday 7th April, attending a Skipping and Rope Demonstration Workshop.

Maroon House emerged winner of the 2008 Cable and Wireless-sponsored Inter-House Athletic Competition held by the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School at the Ronald Webster Park on Thursday, March 27.

The Royal Anguilla Police Sports Club has made a donation of EC$3,216 to the Shoddaz Basketball Club to finance the purchase of jerseys as part of the uniform outfit for its members.

Over 500 people from all over the Caribbean were in Anguilla this past weekend for the 32nd year of the Caribbean Customs Sports and Cultural Tournament. With 14 islands represented, many activities were held such as a welcoming ceremony at the agricultural grounds, sports competitions, a beach jam and an opening ceremony and dinner.

The kids are a lively bunch, full of beans just like children everywhere should be.

Big things are about to happen at the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club!

The Club’s new Instructor, Canadian William Ferguson, has unveiled plans for the immediate future which are certain to set tongues wagging all over the island.

Jeff’s dedicated spirit, commitment, passion and love for his country’s National Sport, boat racing, were celebrated on Sunday February 24th, when family and friends made the event in memory of him the success it was.

The Valley was ablaze with a rainbow of colour as the annual Ashley and Sons road relay race got started on Sunday 24th February. Present were the six primary schools, the five houses of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School and hordes of supporters. The Primary School bicycle road relay was the first event and the supporters cheered all athletes. However, there could only be one winner - the Road Primary School in both the male and female categories.

Cycling filled the streets of Anguilla on Sunday 2nd March, as the first official race of the season got off to an auspicious start. Participants for the races came from the Dragon Boys, Stingers, Link Cycling Clubs of Anguilla and VCJ cycling club of St. Maarten.

Twenty junior sailors from the region competed this past weekend in the Second Annual Anguilla Opti Regatta. The regatta was organized by the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club (AYSC) and the Anguilla Sailing Association (ASA). Children from St. Barths, St. Martin and Anguilla competed in a series of six races at Road Bay starting at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 16.

The East End Sports and Cultural Club hosted the Anguilla Cricket Stanford 20/20 Pro Team on Sunday, February 17, at a wind ball cricket match on the playing field at Pond Ground. It was a well-attended event which provided much interaction among the sports persons and many members of the public.

Since 2001 the Roaring Lions Football Club has been conducting a grassroots football training camp for children to help cultivate home-grown talent. The Club’s venture has been made possible through the kind sponsorship of Sunset Homes. Sponsorship ranges from US$2000.00 US$2500.00 whenever materials are procured for the group. Items that are normally purchased include balls, cones, children and coaches’ uniforms and shoes for deserving athletes.

On Saturday February 9, almost 200 children filled the James Ronald Webster Park for the second annual JW Proctors Track Classic. In terms of athletics, this event if the first on the calendar of track and field activities for the 2008 season and also serves as the precursor to the CARIFTA games that will be held in St. Kitts in March.

This weekend, players from the Anguilla Tennis Academy participated in the Oyster Bay Tennis Tournament in Sint Maarten. The two-day event began the morning of Saturday, January 27, and ended late afternoon on Sunday, January 28. The annual event, sponsored by the Oyster Bay Hotel, was held at the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex. Les Brown was the tournament director and organizer.

On December 9, eight professional and eight amateur tennis players competed in a charity tennis tournament at CuisinArt Resort and Spa. All the proceeds went to benefit the Anguilla Tennis Academy’s children’s programme. The tournament began with the inauguration of the new tennis courts at CuisinArt. This addition is coupled with the nearly finished Spa which is set to open early next year.

Telecommunications provider Digicel, one of the contributors to the novice cycling event which took place on Sunday December 2nd is partnering with the Link Cycling Club to promote healthy living.