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BVI Water Sports Centre closing; Principal accused of ‘failing the youth’

- BVIWSC negotiating a new home in Virgin Gorda
Alison Knights Bramble (right) did not go into details as to the exact reason or reasons for the closure of the BVI Water Sports Centre at Manuel Reef, but noted that persons have been seeking to lay blame on her and husband Colin for it and have allegedly accused them of failing the youth of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
Alison Knights Bramble is presented with a token of apprecition from students of the BVI Water Sports Centre. Her husband Colin is at left. Photo: VINO
Alison Knights Bramble is presented with a token of apprecition from students of the BVI Water Sports Centre. Her husband Colin is at left. Photo: VINO
MANUEL REEF, Tortola, VI- The BVI Water Sports Centre is closing its doors in Sea Cows Bay and is seeking a move to North Sound, Virgin Gorda.

This was disclosed by Principal of the Centre Allison Knights Bramble at a presentation ceremony at Manuel Reef following a sailing event on Saturday December 8, 2012 in Sea Cows Bay.

Although Mrs Knights Bramble did not go into details as to the exact reason or reasons for the intended closure of the centre, she noted that persons have been seeking to lay blame on her and husband Colin for it and have allegedly accused them of failing the youth of the Virgin Islands. She disagreed with the accusations.

“Many people have asked why the centre is closing its doors. Many want to lay blame on others’ doors, some want those doors to be ours and when I mean ours I am talking about Colin and myself. We have had to make some extremely heart-searching decisions over the past 12 months and we are still happy to make them. I was accused three days ago of failing the youths of the BVI. I don’t think so. Colin and I are nothing if not professionals with extremely high standards and we are leaving Manuel Reef at the top of our game and at this point we really don’t have any regrets.”

According to Knights Bramble, the BVI Water Sports Centre is a legacy, one that is far from over.

“It is much more than bricks and mortar and it is about to begin the next leg of its journey. The exciting news, half of which Colin and myself have pushed and which we are not allowed to completely divulge today, is that the Special Olympics BVI Sailing Team, along with the RYA instructors and assistant sailing instructors, and the unified athletes, are negotiating a new home at the Bitter End Yacht Club, North Sound. Let’s face it; it is a pristine piece of training ground and sailing water in the Virgin Islands.”

“For the back row cynics and potential online bloggers, the Special Olympics and the Stormy Monday stuff is a volunteer situation, myself and Colin and others I have mentioned. That’s where we are and that is how Colin and I feel so it’s not all sad and it’s not all bad,” Knights Bramble added.

There are have been much speculation as to exactly what were the issues surrounding the closure of the centre in Manuel Reef, including financial constraints, accountability issues and Government’s alleged decision to reduce funding to the centre, however, officials from both the relevant ministry and the centre could not be reached for comment up to post time.

Virgin Islands News Online is working on more information to this story.

20 Responses to “BVI Water Sports Centre closing; Principal accused of ‘failing the youth’”

  • vip (10/12/2012, 10:09) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    its ok to blame this on ndp for it happened under their watch
    • brian_hodge (10/12/2012, 14:17) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      The NDP cant be blamed for showing good fiscal controls- for years the watersports centre had revcd grants from the various governments without justification or accountablility- if a business, any business has to rely on a grant to survive thenits busines model is obviously flawed
      • text (11/12/2012, 07:33) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        Nah brian-hodge they muss tehy allowing alot of business to fail....
  • UpRising (10/12/2012, 10:11) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    And then they say they are working for the youths. Quite a bit of our youths (inclusive of local youths) receive vital training at this centre. The BVI is the sailing capital of the world and this centre has been instrumental in training and exposing our youths to take up careers in the marine industry, which are certainly in demand. Very dissappointed with the way this situation has unfolded. To Allison, happy to see that you have not given up on the youths and that there's a chance that you will continue to exist elsewhere. Wish you continued success.
  • paper boy (10/12/2012, 10:15) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    Myron just did not want to fund the programme because its in the third!!!!
  • Looking for Handouts? (10/12/2012, 11:12) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    This is a BUSINESS. Why does the government have to fund it.
  • whow (10/12/2012, 12:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply

    their personalities got in the way/....look out Gorda Sound, you will be the next to be co^^ed. The children are secondary, and that is not motivation for their progress and enjoyment of the sea and the sport of sailing...

  • Yacht Club (10/12/2012, 13:57) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    the offensive nature of their personalities is why my money never went there but to the folks at the Yacht Club instead. Cannot run a good business without good business ethics
  • Chick (10/12/2012, 14:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    wow i remember having her teach me in primary school and sailing programs she is a very awesome teacher always had fun and i learned in her class so im shocked they would say she failing the youths
  • Smile (10/12/2012, 14:50) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    @Uprising: The BVI is not the sailing capital of the world but of the Caribbean.
  • BELLS (10/12/2012, 16:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i staying out of this one as there is more in the mota
  • parent (10/12/2012, 20:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Such a negative, hateful and offensive talk to send off kids instead of encouraging them about their performance in the little regatta, and wishing them continued fun and success in the sport in the future. Very disappointed indeed. This was a youth event and the mood should have been positive.
  • so so (10/12/2012, 23:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hello Pot. This is Kettle...

    • old man (11/12/2012, 08:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I truly believe the real pests are in the vi Parliament and Cabinet of the country.
  • long road (11/12/2012, 08:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bottom line? We live in a primitive society surrounded by the trappings of modernity.
  • Jack johnson (11/12/2012, 10:20) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Alison is one of the most dedicated sailing instructors I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Have any of you ever watched her week after week load up the special needs kids in boats and let them experience the joy of sailing, kayaking, swimming, power boating and so on... Even children that cant walk are carried to the boat, look at the special olympics...the BVI came back with an array of medals that made the kids so proud and given a purpose in life and made to see that they can do it. Its about the kids and I know what has been given into the community. Alison and Colin have given all to the BVI watersports centre so come on guys give a little credit where credit is due. I wish them the best, and know Alison will touch the hearts and change the lives of many kids where ever she goes.
  • he-he (11/12/2012, 11:23) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Nicely written, Colin


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