Some of Barbados’ top junior athletes will be representing the island at the second Commonwealth Youth Games which will be held in the Isle of Man from September 7 to 13.
Included in the 13 are multiple CARIFTA swimming medallists Zabrina Holder, Amara Gibbs, Lee Ann Rose and Matthew Courtis; Pan Am juniors 400m hurdles bronze medallist Kion Joseph, CARIFTA 800m gold medallist Jerrad Mason and women’s silver medallist Sonia Gaskin.
In cycling, Russell Elcock, the silver medallist in the individual time trial at the 2010 Junior Caribbean Road Race Championships, will be joined by Brandon Wilkie.
Boxers Taj Farley and Leonard Harewood will also be competing, as well as Monyata Riviera and Javon Gaskin who represented Barbados at the Pan Am Junior Badminton Championships earlier this month.
Notably absent from the team is CARIFTA high jump and long jump gold medallist Akela Jones who is recovering from an ankle injury; Browne said it would have been “interesting” to see her perform at this level.
At the inaugural games in Pune, India, Kierre Beckles won a gold medal in the 100m hurdles.
Lt Col Trevor Browne, the chef de mission, said it was difficult to assess the chances of the team without having seen the competition, especially since the meet comes during the “off season” for many of the athletes.
He said it was the job of the national federations and coaches to get the athletes ready to compete, but he had high expectations of the swimmers.
“It is always difficult to speculate on the chances unless you get a good feel for the competition, but I really think that we have been doing outstandingly well in swimming.
“We have some very good young athletes in swimming who have been performing at the regional level and I am optimistic that they will continue to do exceptionally well and be the ones to lead in the quest to get some medals,” Browne said.
Barbadian athletes often find it difficult to adjust to cold weather and that is expected to play a role.
Browne said the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) had provided the necessary equipment, but it was still going to be a challenge.
“It is actually going to be very difficult for them because things like warming up are going to be completely different to what they are accustomed to, so that is going to be one of the challenges that they [will] face.
“We discussed that at the first meeting and we will probably talk about it at the next meeting. It is going to be a learning experience for some of them.”
With some of the expenses being offset by the hosts, the BOA has expended $100 000 for this trip.
Browne and the cyclists will leave next Saturday, and the rest of the contingent the following day.
A final briefing meeting will be held next week.
Barbados team: Athletics – Sonia Gaskin, Kion Joseph, Jerrad Mason, Nikkisha Maynard (manager); Badminton – Monyata Riviera, Javon Gaskin, Shakeira Waithe (manager); Boxing – Taj Farley, Leonard Harewood, Gary Bowen (manager); Cycling – Brandon Wilkie, Russell Elcock, Greg Downie (manager); Swimming – Lee Ann Rose, Amara Gibbs, Zabrina Holder, Matthew Courtis, Darny Olalde Hernandez (manager); Lt. Col. Trevor Browne (chef de mission); Gail Craig-Archer (assistant chef/chaperone); Dr René Best (team doctor).
