Sports

The second annual Primary Schools Netball Festival sponsored by ANGLEC, in collaboration with the Department of Sports and the Anguilla Amateur Netball Association, was a resounding success.

On Friday, 29th May, 2009, 31 of Anguilla's most promising athletes set off for St. Kitts to compete in the 2009 Leeward Islands Youth Track and Field Championships at the Silver Jubilee Stadium in Bird Rock. The 6 competing countries were the British Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, United States Virgin Islands, Nevis, Anguilla and host country St. Kitts.

Shara Proctor put in a strong performance in the East Regional Outdoor Championships held in North Carolina last weekend and qualified for the 2009 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Outdoor Championships in Arkansas. This will be her third consecutive trip to the National Championships.

The 2009 Scotia Bank Kiddy’s Cricket Competition (Primary School Cricket Tournament) concluded on Monday 25th May at the J.R.W.P.

The Under 23 Netball Team has found an innovative way of raising well-needed funds by profiting from the popularity of another sporting organisation. The smart young women organised a domino competition on May 16 and 17 which, to their delight, attracted much sponsorship.

The growing population in Anguilla is showing an increase in sporting activities on the island and among the participants and sport lovers are the fairly large Spanish nationals from the Dominican Republic.

The Basket Ball Court at the eastern section of Coronation Park is nightly attraction for large numbers of spectators finding much pleasure in the Second Annual Basket Ball Summer Leaque in which they are ten competing teams representing different businesses in Anguilla.

The C.C.B Female Football League moved into second gear last week. On Wednesday, in a thrilling encounter, defending champions Shining Stars were held to a one all draw by bottom of the table, De Youngsters FC. Morihinzi Richardson opened the scoring for Shining Stars in the second half, but Jonicia Thomas brought the youngsters level in the dying moments. Jonicia was named player of the game for her hard work in midfield.

The weather forecast called for rain and heavy winds for the seventh annual Anguilla Regatta, but the rains kept clear and the winds were perfect for all three days of racing in this year’s event. Regatta organizer, the Anguilla Sailing Association (ASA) says that this year’s regatta was the best one yet with all aspects of the event going smoothly and all of the participants having fun over the three days.

In another setting, ACER would be a brand name for computer and printing equipment, but in this case, the acronym stands for Anguilla Cycling Empowerment Ring. It is a new, but seemingly amalgamated group, which, on Sunday, May 3, represented members from several clubs with members of varying ages, in what was an exciting series of races.

Several years ago Volleyball was just a word that people tossed around as they reminisced on the epic battles of Society Crush and Free Birds, or Guerrillas and Ganinipers. Now the sport seems to be catching attention and fever as long time rivals Uprising and Hylanders renew old grudges.

Seven Anguillian cricketers have left the island for the United Kingdom to play separately in the Lancashire, Durham and Irish Leagues.

The first ever Anguilla National Athletics Championships took place on Saturday 25th April at the Webster Park. Events contested included the 1500m, 400m, 100m, triple jump, javelin, shot put and many others. It was a sight to behold as the athletes such Jonicia Richardson, Nicolas Hughes and Kicio Welch provided some spectacular performances.

Just fresh from the grand Festival Del Mar, held during the Easter holiday weekend, Island Harbour Bay was again the scene of much activity which attracted a large and appreciative crowd on Sunday, April 26.

A recently-formed cycling club, at Blowing Point is offering much competition to other well-established groups of cyclists there, and in Anguilla in general, and is showing much promise.

The Anguilla Football Association Female Football League kicked off on Sunday April 19 with an Opening Ceremony, at the Ronald Webster Park Annex, under the theme ‘For the Good of the Game.’

The Caribbean Commercial Bank (CCB) sponsored games card five clubs: last year’s League Winners Shinning Stars; last year’s Knockout and Soccerama Champions Super Stars; and Lil Soldiers, Gazelles and De Youngsters.

Captain of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Team, Mr. Darren Ganga on Thursday April 2 presented a Players Memorabilia Bat to Acting Governor the Honourable Stanley Reid on behalf of his team and the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board.

On Saturday evening, 4th April, Anguilla made light work of Team Montserrat as they were defeated in three sets. Sherwin “Skywalker” Richardson, nursing an injury, played a limited role but reminded the team of his hitting prowess.

The Trinidad Cricket Team was given an official welcome at Government House during an official reception in their honour hosted by Acting Governor of Anguilla the Honourable Stanley Reid.

Prominent Anguillian businessman, Mr. Kent Webster of Triple K Car Rental has contributed heavily to the West Indies Cricket Board Match which will be played on Anguilla from April 3rd to 6th.