Vincentians off to Windwards Games

The Vincentian contingent for the 2012 Caribbean Bank Note/Super Six Windward Islands Secondary Schools’ Games is slated to leave for Grenada today on the MV Jaden Sun.{{more}}

The multi-discipline games begin tomorrow, with the opening ceremony scheduled for Progress Park, Telescope, St Andrew’s, from 10 a.m.

The Track and Field Championship begins at 1 p.m.

St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) placed third last year, failing to complete the hat-trick of titles, when the annual event was held in Dominica.

In 2009, host SVG shared the title with Grenada, but was sole winner when St Lucia hosted.

Last year, the Vincentians won the female volleyball and netball titles, placed second in male volleyball, and were third in football and female basketball.

SVG placed last in both male basketball and track and field.

SEARCHLIGHT spoke to three of the coaches earlier this week about their expectation for the meet.

Volleyball coach Shaun Young expressed confidence that SVG can complete the female volleyball hat-trick and regain the male title, which they lost to Dominica last year.

“This year’s team comprises mainly the junior players — players who … competed in the world championships qualifiers and played for the senior national teams. So we are confident that we can secure first place for both males and females,” Young said.

Track and field coach Alrick Wright said the seven males and five females “will give a good account of themselves”, the category, where SVG has been last for many years.

Wright, who was basketball coach last year and in previous years, identified the late start in preparations of the track and field selectees as a drawback in the team’s chances.

“… the team was selected late and we did not have a lot of training sessions, so we are not in the best possible shape and are starting basically as the underdogs,” Wright attested.

Meanwhile, coach of the basketball squad Vasha Adams said she is up to the task.

“I am really happy to be the coach of the basketball team — both male and female. I think we stand a good chance in the tournament as we have some players who have played before,” Adams said.

“I am hoping to use my experience, having played basketball at a higher level, to get the message to them what it means to place higher for the entire contingent in Grenada.”

The other assigned coaches are Thelma Foster — for netball, and Wade Jackson — football.

SVG will be represented by 62 athletes and eight officials.

The management team is completed by Woodrow Williams, a technical official; Sharon Morgan-Peters, team manager; and Rosmund Griffith, chaperone.

The Games are set to end on August 4, with a closing and presentation ceremony.

SVG will host the 91st edition of the games next year. (RT)