Top Young Athletes Receive Sponsorship Awards
Minister of Community & Cultural Development Wayne Scott presented almost $50,000 to 12 different sporting bodies to help the development of some of the island’s top young athletes at the National Junior Sponsorship Awards today [Apr 18] at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.
Recipients included equestrian Khaleb Tota, hockey player Alexander Odet, golfer Cory DeSilva, runner Dage Minors, cyclist Deshi Smith, swimmer Jesse Washington, cricketer Kamau Leverock, baseball player Adam Hall, sailor Chase Cooper, tenns player Nicholas Lines, footballer Tahzeiko Harris and triathlete Tyler Smith.
The list of recipients & amounts:
$4,900 – Bermuda Equestrian Federation – Khaleb Tota to attend training in Mettingen, Germany
$3,165 – Bermuda Hockey Federation – Alexander Odet to attend the Sportway Hockey Camp in Barcelona
$4,345 – Junior Golf Association – Cory DeSilva to attend the JPGA Players Camp
$4,707 – Bermuda National Athletic Association – Dage Minors to attend a training camp in Amsterdam
$2,557 – Bermuda Bicycle Association – Deshi Smith to attend the a New York cycling programme
$4,430 – Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association – Jesse Washington to attend a training camp in Canada
$4,350 – Bermuda Cricket Board – Kamau Leverock to attend the Horsham Cricket Academy
$4,390 – Bermuda Baseball Federation – Adam Hall to attend a Spring Training trip in Florida
$4,435 – Bermuda Sailing Association – Chase Cooper to attend regattas in the Netherlands & St. Thomas
$3,082 – Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association – Nicholas Lines to attend the IMG Tennis Academy
$4,255 – Bermuda Football Association – Tahzeiko Harris to attend the IMG Soccer Academy in Florida
$4,790 – Bermuda Triathlon Association – Tyler Smith to purchase a new bike and attend the Skills Camp
Minister Scott said, “We are here today to celebrate the accomplishments of our junior athletes and to encourage their development as they pursue their athletic and personal goals and aspirations.
“Our junior athletes continue to excel in the sporting arena as was clearly evident in the recently concluded Carifta Games in the Bahamas [Track & Field] and Jamaica [Swimming] and also the recent Open Cup Tournament success of our under 16 and under 14 boys [Football].
“These impressive achievements have set the standards for the rest of the year. As Bermuda’s youth will be involved in a plethora of sporting events this year I encourage all of Bermuda to support, our young people as they proudly represent us.
“Today, I am honoured and humbled to be standing before this group of outstanding young athletes who serve as a beacon, a ray of hope for the entire community.
“I know that the road you have chosen to travel can and will be difficult and filled with pitfalls at times, but I encourage you to be steadfast and know that I along with all of Bermuda are proud of you. Your peers may not say it, but they too are proud of you and want to see you succeed.
“The National Junior Sponsorship Awards Programme is in its twentieth year and has awarded more than $800,000 towards the development of approximately 138 young athletes. The 12 recipients this year will join an illustrious group of recipients. Many of our recipients have excelled in their chosen sport and have made us proud with their successes, both on and off the field.
“Ms. Kiera Aitken, our guest speaker, an Olympian, former Athlete of the Year, was also a recipient of this awards programme. I am sure that her insightful remarks will be an inspiration to us all. The primary purpose of the National Junior Athlete Sponsorship Awards Programme is to provide encouragement and incentives to Bermudian junior athletes who clearly show commitment, promise and achievement in their sport.
“Thank you to the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation for running this event for twenty years. Thank you to the athletes, their parents, coaches, National Sports Governing Bodies, clubs and the community. I know that in the not too distant future, we will see all of you competing in the international arena,” concluded Minister Scott.
great job young people. go out and make the best of what has been awarded to you. wishing you all the best in your area.
Congrats!!! Well done to the young athletes. Continue to thrive in your sport. Again well done to you all. Thank you Minister Scott.
Well done all the athletes! These teenagers have worked hard and deserve praise. I only wish more girls had been given scholarships but i am sure this was a tough decision by all the sports bodies.