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• Returning BVIOC president Ephraim Penn charts bold vision for 2025-2028

  Returning British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC) President Ephraim Penn sets an ambitious course for the next four years, as he is determined to ensure that sports remain a unifying force in the island.

  Re-elected alongside several key incumbents at the organization’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, Penn pledged to strengthen sports governance and infrastructure while fostering growth and inclusivity across the territory’s sporting landscape.

  The AGM, attended by representatives from National Federations (NFs) and the Athletes’ Commission, served as both a reflection on past achievements and a roadmap for the future.

  In his address, Penn emphasized the importance of collaboration, innovation, and the alignment of sports initiatives with the International Olympic Charter.

  “Our guiding principles will continue to align with the International Olympic Charter: to inspire through sports performance and education; excel by empowering everyone to achieve their best; and foster collaboration through impactful and effective partnerships,” Penn said during the AGM at the BVIOC Office in Tortola.

  He also outlined a robust agenda that includes developing a national sports structure aimed at unifying sports governance in the BVI through one-on-one consultations with each NF to assess their status and provide tailored support.

  Enhancing aquatic infrastructure, which targets the completion of a 25-metre competition swimming pool to provide athletes with a dedicated space for training and competition, as well as safeguarding athlete well-being, which involves the introduction of a Safeguarding Commission to prioritize athlete safety and welfare.

  Additionally, Penn aims to educate and inspire through Olympic values; this academy will be a cornerstone of the BVIOC’s educational outreach via a BVI Olympic Academy, while advancing long-term athlete development will see collaborations with the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS) and the Ministry of Health to ensure athletes receive comprehensive support throughout their careers.

  Representatives from archery, athletics, basketball, and other sports shared their 2024 highlights, while two new federations—cricket and surfing—were officially accepted into the BVIOC family, signaling the continued diversification of sports in the territory.

   “Our open door policy remains in place for all National Federations, and we encourage you to make an appointment to meet with us on Fridays to discuss matters in which we can assist. We look forward to working together for great successes in all sports in the next quadrennial,” Penn added.

  BVIOC Executive Committee: President: Ephraim Penn (returning); 1st Vice President: Sabinah Clement (returning); 2nd Vice President: Ashley Kelly (newly elected, former Athletes’ Commission Representative); Secretary General: Lloyd Black (returning); Treasurer: Mark Chapman (returning); Member at Large: Zebalon McLean

• Purple reign: Kingston College clinch 17th Manning Cup title in centennial celebration year

  As the historic walls of Kingston College gear up to mark their centenary in April 2025, the North Street powerhouse added another glittering chapter to their storied legacy when they clinched their 17th ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup title with a commanding 3-1 victory over first-time finalists St Catherine High at the National Stadium on Friday.

  Goals from 15-year-old sensation Jaeshawn Edwards (36th), Demario Dailey (45+1), and Deshawn Byfield (54th) ensured that Kingston College reclaimed the crown they last held in 2021.

  A 61st-minute own goal by Byfield served as a consolation for St Catherine, who nonetheless earned plaudits for their spirited debut appearance in the final.

  The win was especially meaningful for Head coach Vassell Reynolds, who etched his name into an elite group of coaches to have won both the daCosta Cup and the Manning Cup.

  

  A subdued Reynolds said achieving the milestone with a school so rich in history and tradition is something he will always cherish.

  “It is great to be among Frank Brown and Jackie Walters to have won the daCosta Cup and Manning Cup; it is something that I have dreamed of, and I am very proud of it, but it is all praise to the boys. Another good thing is that April will catch us with the trophy in our cabinet, so at least we will have it to celebrate with, and this is what we wanted to cap it off, so I am very proud,” Reynolds said in a post-game interview.

  Kingston College began with intent, fashioning the game’s first real chance in the 11th minute when Dailey’s left-footed strike was comfortably saved by Omarion Brown in goal for St Catherine.

  St Catherine showed glimpses of their attacking potential in the 27th minute when Lavaughn Taylor’s shot was blocked by Kingston College’s Kvist Paul in a play that sparked cheers from the crowd.

  From there, both teams rode their respective wave of momentum and displayed attacking promise but struggled to find decisive finishes early on.

  

  It was until six minutes past the half-hour mark that Kingston College broke the deadlock when Damaine Smith’s pinpoint cross found an unmarked Edwards, whose composed header nestled into the back of the net.

  Kingston College pressed the ascendancy from there and again went close in the 41st through Dailey, whose left-footed effort was charged down by St Catherine’s defender Romaine Walters. Smith served up another weighted cross from the resulting corner, but Paul’s free header sailed over the crossbar.

  They inevitably doubled the lead just before the break, as Dailey finished with aplomb from the centre of the 18-yard box after Byfield provided a perfectly weighted pass, following a parried effort from Brown to Matrim Martin’s initial shot.

  With a 2-0 advantage at half-time, Kingston College were always poised for glory, and they extended their lead in the 54th minute when Dailey turned provider, delivering a cross that Byfield calmly finished for his 22nd goal of the season.

  St Catherine, determined not to go down without a fight, pulled one back in the 61st minute. Dwight Gentles’ curling corner caused problems for Byfield, who inadvertently headed the ball into his own net.

  Despite this mishap, the ‘Purples’ held their composure for the remainder of the contest as they defended stoutly while also reminding St Catherine of their attacking threat, though they failed in the probe to add to their tally.

  

  Reynolds pointed out that the victory symbolizes the enduring spirit and excellence of their football programme.

  “This one is special. We’re not just playing for ourselves; we’re playing for generations of KC men and the rich legacy they’ve built,” he noted.

  “We know that they (St Catherine) were very strong in midfield, so we had to crowd them out in there. So it was a different formation when we had the ball, and a different formation when we were out of possession. I thought the boys stuck to that very well, so it was a well-executed plan, and you don’t want it any better than that,” Reynolds said.

  Meanwhile, for St Catherine’s assistant coach, Donovan Lofters, the result marked the end of an impressive journey, as he believes their spirited campaign is a foundation to build upon in the coming years.

  “It means a lot to us... we are in the party, as I said, because we are here at the end, so there is nothing for us to be ashamed of. We showed some character after going down 3-0 and we came back and we fought. First time in the final and some of the guys were a bit nervous but I think we did well,” Lofters said.

• Historic redemption: Dethroned Manning Cup champs Mona High secure Walker Cup triumph

  Dethroned Manning Cup champions Mona High found solace and silverware on Friday, as they secured their first-ever ISSA/Digicel Walker Cup crown with a commanding 4-1 victory over Excelsior High in what turned out to be a lopsided final at the National Stadium.

  The triumph, highlighted by Kshaine Gordon’s brace (52nd, 76th) and goals from Carlton Brown (34th) and Marlon Cunningham (55th), provided a fitting end to Mona’s campaign.

  Technical Director Craig Butler, who announced his departure from schoolboy football, celebrated the victory as a testament to his team's resilience after their Manning Cup disappointment.

  “I think it (time in schoolboy football) has been great; I think it is good for development, not just for Mona but the entire school system, as we sought more development versus recruiting for professionalism in the programme. So I am just proud and happy that I could have shared the time with Mona and that we have a team that is going to continue to develop good young footballers,” Butler said.

  

  For Excelsior, who got their consolation from Damarley Williams (12th), the defeat marked another painful chapter in their Walker Cup history, extending their title drought, which dates back to 2008. Despite their energetic start, they faltered under pressure and failed to maintain their intensity or take advantage of critical moments.

  Head coach Keon Broderick acknowledged that much.

  “Defensive errors cost us dearly; when you make mistakes against a team with the quality in the attacking third like this Mona team, they will come back to haunt you,” Broderick said post-game.

  After a lively start in which they displayed their attacking intent, Excelsior eventually opened the scoring when Williams unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from outside the 18-yard box that slipped past Mona’s goalkeeper, Riquelme Edwards.

  The Mountain View-based team maintained their attacking momentum, with Kimarly Scott and Shadeko Wizzard creating opportunities, but they squandered critical chances, failing to capitalize on Mona’s defensive lapses.