Barbados will field its largest-ever overseas CARIFTA Games squad when the 2025 edition of the premier junior athletics championship takes place in Trinidad & Tobago at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from April 19 to 21.
A 52-member team has been selected to represent the island, with a further two athletes possibly joining them subject to clearance from their universities.
Speaking during a press conference at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex last night, Vice President of the Athletics Association of Barbados Dr June Caddle explained the process behind selecting the athletes.
“This year, we had a longer period to prepare as Easter is late, and because of that, we were able to consider interschool sports as well (BSSAC). Those performances boosted us so I am very pleased with the performances this year. We saw some very good performances, some outstanding ones, and some that were very close (to qualifying)”.
The chair of the selection committee continued “As we set the standards and select the team, we consider all who have qualified as well as additions for developmental purposes. And because of the large number of people who actually qualified, we were able to positively consider a broader range of relay teams. So you will see that reflected in the relays as well.”
Head coach Bryan Holder will lead a contingent who have another two weeks to finetune their skillsets before jetting off and he is joined by another seven coaches as well as three medical staff members.
The squad is divided into four divisions—Under-17 Girls, Under-17 Boys, Under-20 Girls, and Under-20 Boys—each featuring a mix of campaigners with prior CARIFTA experience and exciting newcomers.
The full squad:
Under 17 Girls- Alexus Mascoll, Chanecia Bryan, Chole Blackman, Eboni Brathwaite, Jahzara Inniss, Kiami-Rae Orford, Krystal Bentham, Lashay Wilkinson, Leemiah London, Taylor-Rai Wiggins, Tazaria Joseph, Savannah Thorne, Shania Mottley.
Under 17 Boys: Aidan Moore, Dahrion Belgrave, Jahkye Brewster, Jakobi Browne-Smith, Jayden Walcott, Jazzair Best, Kodi Small, Nathan Cumberbatch, Rashawn Holder, Zachary Wall.
Under 20 Girls: Alika Harewood, Aniya Nurse, Ariel Archer, Ashlyn Simmons, Danya Skeete, Isis Gaskin, Kadia Rock, Kelia Bentham, Kyesha Husbands, Maya Rollins, Nailah Browne, Nyeema Taylor, Shayla Clarke, Tia Applewhaite, Zakaiya Hunte
Under 20 Boys: Aaron Massiah, Aaron Morris, Fynn Armstrong, Jayden Green, Jule O’Garro, Keiron Haynes, Kevion Newton, Luke McIntyre, Makai King, Nathan King, Rashad Gibson, Shamari Greenidge-Lewis, Tarrell Johnson Rouse, Teon Haynes.
Management team: Bryan Holder (Head Coach),. Angela Jackson (Manager), Jessie King (Assistant Manager), Coaches Ramon Armstrong, Alwyn Babb, Jarad Murray, Ms. Althea Belgrave, Desiree Gamble.
Team Doctor – Dr. Phyllis Burnett, Medical staff – Jason Branch and Jevaun Mason. (JC)
