Owner of Oil Nut Bay, Millionaire Mr David V. Johnson (front, centre), the Chairman of Victor International, hosted members of the Bayside Blazers Junior and Senior Teams today, April 14, 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters

From left: Senior Executive at Oil Nut Bay, Clyde Lettsome; Head Coach of Bayside Blazers, Rhennie O. Phipps; Owner of Oil Nut Bay, David V. Johnson; and Manager of Bayside Blazers Julian Willock. Photo: Team of Reporters

Owner of Oil Nut Bay, Mr David V. Johnson, seen here posing for a photograph with the visiting Bayside Blazers contingent, had much words of encouragement for the Bayside Blazers players. Photo: Team of Reporters

Bayside Blazers has received sponsorship from Oil Nut Bay, owned by Mr David V. Johnson (2nd from right). Also in photo is Manager of Bayside Blazers, Julian Willock. Photo: Team of Reporters

Both members and players from the junior Bayside Blazers and the senior team were in attendance and were invited by Owner of Oil Nut Bay, millionaire Mr David V. Johnson, the Chairman of Victor International. Oil Nut Bay is a sponsor of the Bayside Blazers Basketball Team.

Always be your best- Johnson

Once on the high-end property, Mr Johnson gave the team a motivational speech on what it takes to succeed, relevant life lessons about his businesses, winning, and spoke briefly on his injury in a pool accident when he was just 28 and was told he would never walk again.

The businessman encouraged team members to always have some focus, and “ensure to strive to be in good mental and physical health and be motivated and give it your best, while valuing the importance of team work in which every member plays their role.”

Mr Johnson, a visionary developer, has spent more than $100M of his own money on infrastructural development for Oil Nut Bay located on the eastern tip of the sister island of Virgin Gorda.

The multi-million dollar Oil Nut Bay Project when completed will include high-end homes for sale that could range from $20M and up, with its own water and electricity, sports facilitates, children’s centre, a marina village with over 91 berths, shops and a second restaurant to name a few.

It is our understanding that many North American and European rich and famous have already purchased completed homes on Oil Nut Bay, as the project is expected to be ongoing for another ten to fifteen years, pumping money into the local Virgin Islands economy.

Besides sponsorship of sporting events, Mr Johnson through his Victor International has dedicated a foundation to supporting social events on Virgin Gorda, according to Senior Executive Clyde Lettsome, who was also instrumental in organising the teams’ visit.

Bayside Blazers more than Basketball- Willock

Bayside Blazers Manager Julian Willock said the members and players who were able to make it out on ‘Good Friday’ were impressed with the development, along with the “wise words from Mr Johnson.”

"Our team is more than basketball," stated Mr Willock. “What we say to our sponsors is that our players want jobs, scholarships, mentoring, and business opportunities, as we want to provide support for the other needs of the player.”

Mr Willock, a former Permanent Secretary, said he came away from the visit with a new perspective on the project and works ongoing at Oil Nut Bay, and “I left with a clear understanding of how this project contributes to the local economy.”

He added that he trusts that some of the Bayside Blazers players will also embrace the “entrepreneurial spirit of Mr Johnson and become the next local millionaire developer,” Mr Willock told our newsroom.

A history of winning

Bayside Blazers in 2014 won the Championship rings in the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed National Basketball League. In 2015 and 2016 they also participated in the same League, making the play offs in both years.

In 2016 Bayside Blazers were the men open’s Champions in the now popular K & J 3 on 3 Tournament.

In addition, just about two weeks ago Bayside Blazers won the 16-18 Championship in the K & J Tournament, a first for the newly formed Junior Bayside Blazers. The senior team made the K & J 3 on 3 Championship men playoffs, but did not win.

This year Bayside Blazers will have a ‘B’ Division Team in the Federation League in Road Town and they are considering both a Jr and Sr team in the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League, according to their Head Coach.

Persons making the trip today April 14, 2017 to Oil Nut Bay, Virgin Gorda, beside Mr Willock, were Bayside Blazers Head Coach Rhennie O. Phipps, players Dion M. Blyden, Ryan R. Alfred, Frankly L. Penn, Kimani T. Stevens and a baller who played with the team for the 2017 3 on 3 K & J Tournament, Killven M. Samuel.

In addition, the Junior Bayside Blazers players in attendance were Devante A. Brewley, Jachoy M. S. Walwyn and Nixon M. Hamilton.

Bayside Blazers has attracted many of the Territory’s top basketball players as well as overseas players from Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis and the USVI.