16 females have been selected to represent the British Virgin Islands in the upcoming 2023 Eastern Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation (ECASC) Championship in St. John, USVI, from March 1-5.
They are Akira Phillip, Bria Smith, Claury Scatliffe, Dariér Malone, Javlyn Frett, Jelisa Potter, Jheane Niles, Kaynesha Stoutt, Kennisha Powell, Kimiya Matthias, Lil-Makeda Fahie, Marisa Malone, Melanie Stoutt, Shauliqua Fahie, Sheniqua Fahie-Johnson and Thea Cooke.
The 16 women form Team A of a two-team roster that has been submitted by the Virgin Islands Softball/Baseball Association (VISBA) to represent the territory for the period 2022 to 2024.
Team B consists of Bianca Brewley, Chandni Wattley, Che’Vaunne Richardson, Kiara Woodley, Kimmesha Adams, Shaika Jeffers, Shanika Forbes, and Tyalia Nibbs.
According to the Association, the National Team Selection Committee comprising Head Coach/Manager, Honourable Neville Smith; assistant coaches and trainers, Shamouri Robinson and Demoi Hodge, with the oversight of Vice President of Softball Affairs and Assistant Manager/Pitching Coach, Mr. Allen Smith, opted to select 24 players from a total of 33 identified players who were all given the opportunity to try out for national selection.
The decision to have a Team A and Team B as put by the Association is to give the select committee a competitive selection pool of athletes playing in various positions in preparation for upcoming competitions.
“In the event of a player from Team A not being able to attend the event due to an injury, lack of commitment to practices, a suspension or any other reason, a player from Team B will move up to Team A for the qualifying tournament and other games in the future,” VISBA stated.
“After every tournament, the teams will return to one group, and players will work towards making the official roster for that specific tournament,” the Association added.
A total of 6 teams will compete in the upcoming tournament which is sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.
These include Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands, Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten and the British Virgin Islands.
The winning team of this championship will automatically qualify for the 2023 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in San Salvador, El Salvador, in June 2023.
The Association is also encouraging the business community who are interested in sponsoring the team ahead of the tournament to contact (284) 441-1901 or email visbainfo@gmail.com.