The Barbados Junior Squash team will be travelling to Kingston, Jamaica to compete in the 2018 Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships from July 7th – July 15th. As part of preparation for travel to Jamaica, the Barbados Squash Association held a special Team meeting at the Barbados Olympic Association offices on Wednesday, July 4th.
The meeting featured Naturopathic Practitioner Dr Rhondda Charles of the Natural Medical Centre, giving nutritional advice to the players on how to optimise performance by outling tips on competition preparation as well as on endurance and recovery. Senior Squash player and Athlete Ambassador for the National Anti-Doping Council Shawn Simpson gave the Juniors insight into Anti-doping. It culminated with ‘A’ Class referee Craig Archer giving an informative and interactive referee and marking session for the players as they are expected to mark and referee games during their tournament in Jamaica. The team was dressed in uniforms part sponsored by WOOLF Solutions and Ocean Fisheries while Nature’s Discount and Carib Rehab made donations.
The tournament will be played at The Liguanea Club, New Kingston, Jamaica. The Barbados team holds the Championship title, having snatched it from Guyana last year, and so will be looking to raise the level of their game once more at this year’s competition. Last year the team would have won 6 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze medals so this year the team will be looking to increase the medal count.
A new addition this year to the CASA format is that of the U11 category which has been added to the team event to allow for additional competition for the U11’s. However, it will not be going towards the overall points system but despite that, the exposure to the team event will benefit them in the future. Phoebe Gittens is the newest member of the team and will be competing in the GU-11.
Barbados will be going into competition with 5 number one seeded players and 5 number two seeded players. Including Josiah Griffith and Amanda Haywood, who are completing their final year as junior squash players. Amanda will be headed to the University of Virginia next semester on a full squash Scholarship while Josiah will be headed to University in Canada.
The team has been preparing for the tournament over the last few months working on their fitness and further skill development ensuring that they are ready physically and mentally for competition. The Barbados team also comprises of additional players who will be playing in the individual event. They all depart for Jamaica on Saturday morning at 6 am.
The Barbados team comprises the following players:
BOYS
BU11: Armaan Suleman
BU13: Aidan Parris/Alex Stewart
BU15: Darien Benn
BU17: Khamal Cumberbatch/Chemar Burnham/Kemar Lord
BU 19: Josiah Griffith
GIRLS
GU11: Phoebe Gittens
GU13: Rebekah Nichols
GU15: Sumairaa Suleman
GU17:Meagan Best/Jada Smith-Padmore/Jodi Smith-Padmore
GU19: Amanda Haywood
Additional Individual Players:
BU11: Theodore Hadley/Nikolas Greig
BU13: Dominic Wilson/Luke Wilson/Raziel Lopey/Nathan King
BU17: Ryan Archer
Coach: Rhett Cumberbatch
Manager: Katheryn Stewart