Bequia Basketball Association Launches Elite Athletes Program
The Bequia Basketball Association (BBA) is proud to announce the launch of its new Elite Athlete Program, an initiative designed to identify, develop and prepare promising young basketball players from across the Grenadines for national team opportunities, regional competition and potential academic scholarships.
The program targets basketball athletes between the ages of 15 and 24, with the goal of providing them with skills development and training, mentorship and coaching, education assistance and practical experience needed to take their basketball careers to the next level, and to develop them as well rounded citizens.
The BBA Executive began scouting potential athletes during its recently concluded 24th Annual Bequia Basketball Tournament, evaluating players not only on their performance on the court, but also on their potential, attitude, work ethic, teachability and willingness to develop.
Following the scouting process, 12 players from Bequia and Union Island have been selected for the inaugural program as follows:
● Bremon Alexander
● Kelon Alexander
● Jontiel Burke
● Bradley Farrell
● Tristan Farrell
● Javier Friday
● Khade Gooding
● Cassius Joseph
● Elroy Joseph
● Jomain Ollivierre
● Ken-jay Phillips
● Xontea Shortte
The selected athletes will train alongside men’s senior national team player Jermaine John and other top basketball talent from the Grenadines, creating an environment that encourages competition, mentorship and peer development.
With the goal of preparing the athletes in a holistic way for their futures, the BBA aims to develop more than just basketball players. The Elite Athletes Program is built around the understanding that preparing athletes for higher levels of basketball requires more than simply improving their skills on the court. Development of the players’ fitness levels, mental preparation, community involvement, education and efficient gear are key facets of the program.
Former Bequia All-Stars coach Cornelius Farrell has been appointed Head Coach, and BBA President and FIBA Board Member Sabrina Mitchell as Program Director and Team Manager. Farrell has coached Bequia to several Grenadines championships, as well as games in the region. Mitchell brings in an expertise with almost two decades experience in managing the Men’s Senior National Basketball Team and high level administration internationally.
Assistant coaches have also been appointed to work alongside Coach Farrell in the skills development process: Denroy Hutchins, Jemuel Hutchins, Lennox Ince, Keithroy Lavia, Colson Peters and Steveon Taylor.
The athletes have thus far had a seminar with national team physiotherapist Shirnan Jacobs, who shared valuable knowledge on injury prevention, recovery and how athletes can better care for their bodies throughout their development. Fitness, strength and conditioning will also form an important part of the program, and as such, the players have begun sessions at the Bequia Plantation Gym working with physical trainer Rex Pollard, focusing on developing their physical strength and overall athletic ability.
A major component of the program will be ensuring that the selected athletes develop into well-rounded individuals who can contribute to basketball and the Bequia community in multiple ways. They will be encouraged to become involved in BBA youth camps and development initiatives, while also learning practical aspects of basketball administration, including table official duties and game operations. The Association believes that exposing young athletes to these different areas will give them a greater understanding of the sport and create future coaches, officials, administrators and mentors.
Additionally, each player will have a comprehensive profile with photos, videos, biographical information and more, which will give each one social media visibility on a national scale, highlighting their abilities and progress. The BBA intends to identify opportunities for the athletes to compete in tournaments throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as explore potential opportunities for regional competition. They will be selected to represent the Grenadines for any try-outs that may arise for national team selection, such as the Windward Islands School Games.
“We are not simply looking at what these young players can accomplish this season. We are looking at where they could be five years from now,” says BBA President Sabrina Mitchell.
The Elite Athletes Program is also part of a broader vision for the future of basketball throughout the Grenadines. Bequia Basketball will take the lead in developing Grenadines basketball, working with the SVG Basketball Federation to that end.
The reestablishment of the Bequia All-Stars has begun in earnest as a crucial element of the Elite Program, with players now training two nights a week. Equally important will be for the BBA to provide assistance to the other Grenadines basketball associations to reestablish the Union Island All-Stars, Canouan Islanders and Mayreau Kings teams. The aim of this effort is to reignite interest in inter-island competition and encourage the revival of a Grenadines Basketball Tournament.
The Association views this program as a long-term investment in the future of Grenadines and Vincentian basketball, and hopes to continue expanding the initiative as more athletes and funding emerges.
The BBA is inviting businesses, organizations, individuals and members of the Vincentian diaspora who are interested in youth development and sports to support the Elite Athletes Program.
Financial sponsorship, equipment, training support, travel assistance, educational support and other forms of partnership will help the Association provide greater opportunities for the selected athletes and expand the program in the years ahead.
The Bequia Basketball Association looks forward to watching this first group of athletes grow, develop and pursue new opportunities over the coming years — and hopes that this will be the beginning of a new era for basketball talent from the Grenadines.
