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The national youth and primary school championships took place at the YASCO Sports Complex over the weekend, April 2-3, 2011. Some twenty (20) schools participated in the championships. The President of the Antigua and Barbuda National Athletics Association (ABNAA), Dr. Rodney Williams, shared that the turn out by the young athletes was heartwarming and encouraging. Some schools had as many as thirty (30) student athletes in the event. According to Dr. Williams, these athletes showed a keen interest and willingness to participate in track and field and performed quite well. He added that he joined the Association in looking forward to some of them competing in the CARIFTA and other upcoming games.

In outlining the role of the Association, the President declared that the organization has a responsibility to continue to provide opportunities for our young people to display and develop their skills. He added, ‘Towards this end we will shortly be having Coaches’ Workshops to ensure that the training of our athletes is of a high standard’.

Dr. Williams joined the Executive in congratulating the Foundation Mixed School for placing first in the event with 164 points. This was a particularly outstanding performance since they had not participated for a number of years. The St John’s Catholic Primary followed in a distant second place with 99 points and the Holy Trinity School occupied the third slot with 62 points.

The highlights of the event are as follows:

Most Valuable Players MVPs

•  Under 11 Girls:    Diva Barthley – Foundation Mixed School
•  Under 11 Boys:   Javier Joseph – Foundation Mixed School
•  Under 13 Girls:    Jernee Williams – Foundation Mixed School
•  Under 13 Boys:   Ezekiel Francois – Barbuda
•  Under 15 Girls: ( Tie)
  •  Kiwande Morson –  Clare Hall Secondary School
  •  Melinda Simpson –  Clare Hall Secondary School
  •  Shernier Murphy –  Princess Margaret School
• Under 15 Boys: Michia Washington - Ottos Comprehensive School
• Two Most Outstanding Performers:
  •  Michia Washington OCS and
  •  Corneisha Mangan  - Potters Primary

Many of the athletes have expressed the hope that their performance in the recent track and field events will attract the attention of the Antigua and Barbuda National Athletics Association which will be selecting athletes to represent the nation at the Upcoming Leeward Islands Youth Championships scheduled to take place in Anguilla in six (6) weeks. 

The Association is also expecting many of the athletes who participated in both the primary and interschool’s championships to taking part in the Sir Reginald Samuel Wings Classic on May 17, 2011 and the Antigua and Barbuda National Track and Field Championships on June 8, 2011.

The President expressed the Association’s appreciation to all the volunteers, led by Ms. Heather Samuel, who joined them in making the meet such a great success.