Platinum sponsor Digicel (BVI), for the second year, has come has come through on its promise of sponsoring the rings for the Hon Julian Fraser Save the See League. The telecommunications giant handed over a cheque last week Friday March 18, 2016 to officials of the League for the purchase of the 2015 Championship team rings. Photo: VINO/File

Basketball powerhouse West Gunners will soon be flashing their championship rings as winners of the 2015 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed National Basketball League. Photo: Hon JF STS Basketball

The Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League was founded in 2013 by Hon Julian Fraser RA, Third District Representative (left) and Bishop John I. Cline, founder of the Save the Seed Energy Centre, and Bishop of the New Life Baptist Church, in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola. Photo: Hon JTS Basketball

Ray D. Victor has confirmed he will once again be part of the West Gunners unit for the 2016 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League. Photo: VINO/File

The 2016 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball season will bounce off in August. Photo: VINO/File

Platinum sponsor Digicel (BVI), for the second year, has come has come through on its promise of sponsoring the rings.

The telecommunications giant handed over a cheque last week Friday March 18, 2016 to officials of the League for the purchase of the 2015 Championship team rings.

Digicel happy with League

Digicel (BVI) Marketing Manager Kareem-Nelson Hull said he was happy that Digicel (BVI) was able to support this basketball league and pledged to be on hand to assist in the handing out of the rings to West Gunners. Mr Hull confirmed that Digicel remains committed to “giving back to the Virgin Islands’ community, whether in the areas of sports, education, youth development or health for our record in the Virgin Islands’ market can attest to this.”

Mr Hull also congratulated the 2015 Championship team West Gunners and said he himself and the staff of Digicel are “looking forward to the 2016 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball season,” which is scheduled to kick off in August.

The rings will be handed over to the team at the opening ceremony for the League in August at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom. A date for the start of the 2016 League will be announced in the coming weeks.

Hon Fraser League also thankful

Acting Chairperson of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League Committee Mrs Kharid Fraser thanked Digicel for keeping its promise to the League for the second year in sponsoring the Championship rings.

She also joined in congratulating West Gunners players, and coaches on becoming the 2015 Champions. Mrs Fraser said “while the 2015 League was challenging, it was also one of the most exciting and well supported year for the three year old League.”

Mrs Fraser said her committee has started planning for the 2016 Hon Fraser Save the Seed League and will endeavour to keep the teams, players, coaches and the public up to date.

West Gunners excited & hungry for more!

Meanwhile, West Gunners star player and Draft Pick Ray D. Victor said the team remains “excited about receiving the rings” and that “it is a reward for hard work, dedication and passion”. Mr Victor said he expects West Gunners to be back this year to defend their championship title.

The dynamic and inspirational player also noted that the team has stuck together and will be coming strong as usual in this year’s league.

We are holding together as a team. The West team is one unit. We don’t get into that drama about leaving and all that. We are one family down here,” Mr Victor told Virgin Islands News Online.

He also confirmed that he will once again be part of the West Gunners unit. “Yes, I will be back with the Gunners this year,” Mr Victor stated.

The Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League was founded in 2013 by Hon Julian Fraser RA, Third District Representative and Bishop John I. Cline, founder of the Save the Seed Energy Centre, and Bishop of the New Life Baptist Church, in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola.

There have been three senior championship teams with 2013 being taken by Ruff House, 2014 Bayside Blazers and 2015 West Gunners.