Monday, January 01, 2007The Sporting Life

Robert ChalwellAfter business comes sports

The list of Sporting and Recreational activities for the discerning Sports enthusiast in the BVI is as varied as the landscape of the BVI itself. Like the pristine waters that surround each of our virgin beauties, the love and passion for sports frames the core of entertaining and healthy diversions that are literally at a visitor’s doorstep.

Whether on the mountain peaks of Tortola from which you can experience the cool fresh air and breathtaking views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel and the many Sister Islands of the BVI to the south whilst Mountain Biking or lying submerged forty feet at the bottom of the North Caribbean Sea enjoying the cornucopia of colours and life that abounds in and around the historic Wreck of the RMS Rhone or the eastern coast of the infamous islet Deadman’s Chest (traditionally believed to be the inspiration of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Isle), athletic activity is subtly interwoven with the unspoiled beauty of Nature’s Little Secrets.

The BVI (which boasts a humble populace of just over 30,000) isn’t impeded in the least by its diminutive numbers; in fact one will be hard pressed to find a local or resident who isn’t involved in at least three different athletic disciplines, ensuring the vibrant and dynamic existence of many different sports.
As would be expected, the capital island of Tortola accommodates a large percentage of the activities that occur. Over the last fifteen years significant investments have been made in the infrastructure for Territorial Sports Facility Development.

Horse racing has been a core part of BVI culture for decades; and with a 6 million dollar upgrade to the existing facility, the BVI’s six-furlong ‘Little “A” Horse Race Track’ has become an ever-increasing attraction to visitors regionally and internationally. With set races held during the Emancipation Festival (roughly the last week in July through the second week in August), Boxing Day (December 26th) and the hosting of the Chief Minister’s Cup and the Governor’s Cup along with at least four other race days throughout the year there are ample offerings for any dedicated Horse Racing enthusiast. With Actspectation (owned by BVI Horse Owners Association President Letty Hodge) enjoying an almost perfect record and a formidable regional reputation, anticipation and excitement are always high.

In 2004 the Government of the BVI opened its multi-million dollar indoor air-conditioned Sports Complex which houses Basketball, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Badminton, Martial Arts Instruction and the list keeps growing. The facility has even stretched the sports-entertainment bounds and in 2005 hosted the world-renowned Russian American Kids Circus while the WWC hosted a Wrestling spectacular early in 2006.

On the heels of winning the OECS Women’s Championship, in the inaugural year of the Sports Complex, the BVI hosted the OECS Men’s Volleyball Championship where the men’s team played admirably but was not able to compliment the ladies’ victory with one of its own.

Though not a historically traditional BVI Sport, Basketball has quickly become the BVI’s national past-time (at least for the young and young-at-heart). The BVI Basketball Federation hosts an annual National League with teams fielded primarily from Tortola and Virgin Gorda. The League spans late spring through the summer months providing high-level entertainment and drama, as BVIslanders (as with almost everything else) take their Basketball very seriously. Young Legs coached by Brian “Bash” Brewley remains triumphantly undefeated for the last three straight leagues. Who will unseat them? The drama continues.

Due to its protective geography the Virgin Islands has been dubbed “the Sailing Capital of the Caribbean” and consequently has developed a local and regional sailing tradition to be envied. Since 1984 with Robbie Hirst at the helm, the BVI has had a noteworthy sailing presence in the Olympics and other high-prized competitions. With junior sailors such as Elsa Meyers and Bryshaun Scatliffe, being under the age of 17 and medallists too, sailing in the BVI is poised to explode.

The BVI is becoming recognized internationally and regionally in Men’s Cycling. With appearances in the Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne and the CAC Games in Bogotá, BVI Men’s Cycling is off to a healthy start. In Junior Women’s Cycling, Olympia Fahie won the inaugural Caribbean Junior Women’s Championship in Hatillo, Puerto Rico in October 2006. With the BVI’s successful hosting of the Caribbean Cycling Elite Championships in October 2006, the future looks very bright for cycling in the BVI.

Though the BVI can speak of healthy subscription to Cricket, Lawn Tennis, Squash, Netball, Football and even Rugby one cannot talk about sports in the BVI without talking in depth about Track & Field. Since the 1970’s the BVI has been establishing its own tradition in Athletics. With Dean “the Sportsman” Greenaway, Dag Samuels, Winston Potter and many other former athletes all now serving as coaches the BVI is starting to see some consistent victories from its athletes. With medallists such as Dion Crabbe and other singularly notable medallists over the last 2 decades, the BVI Track & Field tradition is now about to reap a crop of regional and international medallists.

In the 2005 and 2006 track seasons, the BVI enjoyed medal winning performances regionally and internationally by athletes Tahiesha Harrigan and Chantal Malone (who are cousins) and a Junior Women’s Relay Team of which Ms. Malone is a member. Recognizing that these developments were just over the horizon, the Government of the British Virgin Islands has commenced the establishment of a 400-meter Class One Rubberized Track at the AO Shirley Recreation Grounds. Completion is projected for early 2007 and anticipation is high considering the exemplary performances of Harrigan and the Junior Women without a proper training facility.

With the establishment of a Department of Youth Affairs and Sports in 2004, the BVI youth in particular have seen the introduction and the revitalization of many sporting disciplines. Through partnering with Associations, Federations, and Community Organizations the DYAS is funding and supporting the fielding of Junior Teams, Athlete Development Camps, Youth Leagues and recruitment opportunities; this has proven to be a tried-and-true approach for ensuring the continued vibrancy of Sports and Recreation in any environment.

Whether for personal health, entertainment, or an insatiable spectators’ passion, the BVI offers a vast menu of Sporting & Recreational options. Undoubtedly far beyond what might be expected of a tiny Island Territory roughly 66 square miles, nestled in the tranquil seas of the North East Caribbean.

Oyster Publications Inc, PO box 3369, Road Town Tortola, British Virgin Islands, VG1110