THE Department of Youth Development and Sports on Thursday 19th July announced its sixty two member team and eight officials for this year’s Winlott Inc/Canadian Bank Note (CBN) Windward Islands Schools Games. The tournament will be hosted here from Sunday 22nd to Sunday 29.
Hosts Saint Lucia will be competing in all seven sporting disciplines over five sports; athletics, basketball (male and female), volleyball (male and female), netball (female), and football (male).
The action will commmence tomorrow from 10.00 a.m. at the George Odlum Stadium with the flag-raising ceremony and parade of teams and from 12.00 noon all eyes will be on the track as the athletes from the four islands seek to amass points for their respective countries.
Many sports-loving fans will be coming to support some of the sub-regions best, including Saint Lucia’s very own Kimani Alphonse, Armani Modeste, Deyette Djerel, Shelton St.Rose, Asa Francis and Tarrik Xavier. The above names represented Saint Lucia at the Carifta Games in the Bahamas held earleir this year.
The remainder of the track and field team on display are – Ethan James, Mya Hippolyte, Jayeed Norbal, Melika Destang, Khalan Vitalis, Joy Edward, George Louis, Nikaela Khodra, O’Neal Edward, Julian Fernest, Kelly Charles, Aaliyah Estephor, Jermiah Everiste, Bernet Joseph, Levi Leonce, Jean Pierre Frederick, Mia George and Romia Joseph.
Team Manager, Shirly-Ann Lubin, said the 62 team members and their coaches have been in training and are now set and ready for competition. “I expect them to give of their best on the games days. They have been to several camps in preparation. I have seen them in game situations and they have been victorious in the last few games that they have played”.
Lubin said, “All we can say right now, is wish the entire squad all the best and hope that they would put forward their best at every game”.
The squad consists of a mixture of experience athletes returning and a few debutants as well.
She continued, “The coaches have been working very hard. I have seen the passion, the determination and the drive to push these young people; they have been appreciative of the coaching they have recevied from their respective coaches and also their parents are supporting them as well ”.
Mayor for the Games Village, Stephen Auguste a teacher by profession said, “My role as Mayor is to ensure the comfort of the athletes. I will ensure our athletes are comfortable so they can give of their best the following day and throughout the entire championship”.
The Saint Lucia squad reads – Nikaela Khodra, Mia George, Jermiah Everiste, Cleo Jn Baptiste, Romia Joseph, Noah Boyde, Kivani Emile, Garrick George, Amani Raymond, Celsus Leonce, Keon Allen, Jn Pierre Frederick (Basketball). Team Coach – Ron Du Murville and Germain Thomas.
Football: Djal Augustin, Deshawn Roserie, George Louis, Dillon Fanis, Chadam Seraphin, Julian Fernest, Bryant Polius, Gabriel Biscette, Al Charles, Edd Fred, O’Neil Edward, Kimani Jeremie, Morgan William, Daniel Biscette. Team Coach – Vance Vitalis
Netball: Syanne Allain, Dasha Eugene, Darcell Francis, Bernet Joseph, Kianna Nelson, Magan Nestor, Tanny William. Team Coach – Shem Maxwell.
Athletics: Kimani Alphonse, Joy Edward, Aaliyah Estephor, Melika Destang, Mya Hippolyte, Kamillah Monroque, Deyette Djerel, Kelly Charles, Asa Francis, Ethan James, Armani Modeste, Jayeed Normal, Shelton St.Rose,Khailan Vitalis, Tarrik Xavier. Team Coaches Makeba Alcide and Cuthbert Modeste.
Volleyball:Matilda Angeloni, Derelle Dubois, Chenoa Evans, Kait Gaillard, Kaitlyn Gaillard, Gabrielle Hunte, Merkijay Jean, Sherwin Edward, Noah Gaspard, Joshua Hinkson, Levi Leonce, Claudinus Pelage, Kernel Remy, Kyhim Remy. Team Coach – Denis Saint Claire.
On Monday 23, from 2.00 p.m. host Saint Lucia will be in action as they play Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in female volleyball, while Grenada take on Dominica, both games at the Micoud Court.
Evening matches, in football at the Phillip Marcellin Grounds, Grenada versus Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia up against Dominica, while in female basketball, Grenada will be up against Dominica and Saint Lucia play Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at the Vieux Fort Court.
On Tuesday 24, from 2.00 p.m., in netball, Grenada versus Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia play Dominica at the Vieux Fort Court.
Evening matches, in male basketball, Grenada versus Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Sait Lucia play Grenada at the Vieux Fort Court.
