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UPDATE: Govt needs to better fund athletes – Greenaway

-Says despite the meagre financial support, Govt gets the glory hence the need to put its money where its mouth is!
President of the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA), Dean Greenaway said despite the meagre financial support coming from Government, it gets the glory when athletes excel on the international scene hence the need to offer more funding for athletes to continue representing the Territory. Photo: VINO
This group of young athletes returned to these shores today, July 18, 2013 after a successful participation at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine. Photo: VINO
This group of young athletes returned to these shores today, July 18, 2013 after a successful participation at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine. Photo: VINO
Workers at the Government Administrative Complex abandoned their desks to join in welcoming the athletes. Photo: VINO
Workers at the Government Administrative Complex abandoned their desks to join in welcoming the athletes. Photo: VINO
The team was greeted by (L-R) Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, At Large Representative Hon. Archibald C. Christian and Fifth District Representative Hon. Delores Christopher. Photo: VINO
The team was greeted by (L-R) Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, At Large Representative Hon. Archibald C. Christian and Fifth District Representative Hon. Delores Christopher. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – In the midst of the pomp and ceremony for the Territory’s young athletes who returned to these shores on, July 18, 2013 after a successful participation at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine, President for the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA) Dean ‘The Sportsman’ Greenaway poked a serious note to the Government of the Virgin Islands.

Everyone was in high spirits and fanning themselves with the mat of pride and joy at the ceremony held yesterday July 18, 2013 at Government Administrative Complex in Road Town Tortola, as they expressed their deep appreciation at the performance of the Virgin Islands athletics team at the IAAF World Youth Championships. But one man, though proud as well, had a serious note to pull.

“I am going to put forward this suggestion for consideration by our leaders. The BVIAA would like to see, in particular, that when our athletes are going to represent the Territory at the highest level of athletics competitions, IAAF World Youth Championships series and a continental event – World Youth, World Juniors, World Senior and Pan Am Junior Championships in particular – that legislation be put in place by an Act of the House of Assembly that our delegation be adequately funded to get to these competitions,” stressed Mr Greenaway.

In a voice tone of pain and desperation, Mr Greenaway noted that the marketing and advertising exposure the athletes give the Virgin Islands is immeasurable and they will continue to wear the colours of the Territory with pride and fly the flag high.

He said while he is grateful to everyone who supported and encouraged them along the way, including businesses and private individuals who choose not to be named, it is only the members of the BVIAA Executive who know the financial struggles they face. “Success is expensive. We are dearly seeking for businesses in our community to partner with us.”

He stressed that it is not easy having a delegation return from Curacao with medals on July 1, 2013, then sending a delegation to the Ukraine on July 2 and another delegation to Mexico on July 3, that had two finalists and a narrowly missed medal in the CAC senior championships.

“To continue enjoying and celebrating our athletes’ success we need serious financial support. It is the British Virgin Islands these fine athletes are representing. We have to believe in them and their abilities, not just sometimes, but all the time. There is no other association in this country doing what the BVI Athletics Association and our athletes are doing,” said Greenaway. “We need to seriously examine ourselves and support each other more because sport is a unifying force,” he further stated.

The athletics boss said that on November 28, 2012 on Tortola and December 1, 2012 on Virgin Gorda, a concept of “Project Podium” was launch by the association. This, he said, is an initiative which is designed to see more VI athletes, who are Carifta games finalist and medalists, advancing to semis and finals in competition where they haven’t had much success before with the ultimate aim of winning medals.

“To have three of our athletes advancing to the semifinals and one being robbed of a semifinals berth shows that the vision of taking this sport to a higher level is underway, as we have accomplished part of our five year goal, winning a medal at a major competition in just eight months,” highlighted Mr Greenaway.

He said that while the administration has taken a knock they are all about giving athletes opportunities. “It was the first time in our World Championship history that every day of the competition you could tune in and see BVI athletes in action, and not just running and sitting down but our athletes being competitive, advancing and running personal bests, establishing a National Youth Record and a National Scholastic Record, getting to the finals and eventually winning a medal,” Greenaway noted.

See previous article posted July 18, 2013

VI's youth athletes get stately welcome home

They are the pride and joy of the Virgin Islands as they continue to keep the Territory’s flag flying high and sending a message to the world that though a tiny dot on the world’s map the Virgin Islands has what it takes to keep that tiny dot visible. 

They are the Territory’s young athletes who returned to these shores today, July 18, 2013 after a successful participation at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine.

Among the athletes were Taylor Hill, Nelda Huggins, Jonel Lacey and Tarika ‘Tinker Bell’ Moses, who etched their names in the athletics history books after claiming silver in the Medley Relay at the Championships on July 14, 2013. The [British] Virgin Islands came in second to the United States in a time of 2:07.40 as against 2:05.15 by the US.

People from all sections of society converged at strategic points while others joined a motorcade that welcomed home the VI National team this afternoon.

The welcoming motorcade and ceremony, a collaborative effort of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA), paraded through the streets of Tortola before heading to the Government Administrative Complex in Road Town.

All along persons were seen screaming the names of the athletes, cheering and some even followed the procession to the place of ceremony while waving the Territory’s flag.

The athletes were led to the place of ceremony by a flag parade executed by a section of the Territory’s disciplined services.

Once at the Government Administrative Complex, the team was greeted by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, At Large Representative Hon. Archibald C. Christian and Fifth District Representative Hon. Delores Christopher.

33 Responses to “UPDATE: Govt needs to better fund athletes – Greenaway”

  • hip hip (18/07/2013, 21:09) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply
    This would be the team to groom further, to eventually give USA and others something to think about. Go Team BVI! You did us all proud.
  • Gloria Fahie (18/07/2013, 21:35) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    THEY DID US PROUD!!!
  • the rock (18/07/2013, 21:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    u are correct but they got to get they bodies built up to compete at that stage as zero in on that level..but they got a lot of heart and that's a great start..congrats ladies!
  • asura (18/07/2013, 23:30) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is good news
  • Kimbo (19/07/2013, 02:57) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    OUTSTANDING
  • rattie (19/07/2013, 03:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    WE ARE So PROUD!!!!
  • tt (19/07/2013, 04:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks for this VINO…I am so proud of these youths
  • thank you (19/07/2013, 04:21) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank you Lord for tese young ladies and what they are doing for the BVI. I pray that there will be no political comments on this forum today. Amen! All the best girls!Thank you for making us proud~!
  • DaFluff (19/07/2013, 08:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats Girls!!!!!!!
  • ann (19/07/2013, 08:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    now lets make it goal net time
  • dd (19/07/2013, 09:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    So proud of the ladies an other who have made us so proud the guys need to step it up
  • jtv (19/07/2013, 09:36) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lawd a mussy see way Dean gone around this proud moment!
  • justice (19/07/2013, 09:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hats offs Dean for keeping it real
    • action (19/07/2013, 10:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mr. Greenaway thank you for having the guts to say this
      • jerome williams (19/07/2013, 13:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

        He need to tell da thruth- govt has put in place some serious funding for the same group of medallists- maybe he shud also state he work for the govt, but never in he office- so perhaps his salary cud go to track anf field. maybe if he took less trips himself the money saved cud go to the athletes, and maybe if bviaa stop sending athletes to major games for the "experience" and sent a more sensible team to carifta then the money they get wud go further- he also forgot to say the bvioc support track and field a lot as well.
        the athletes deserve every chance, but lets see the bviaa exec start to raise funds themselves like other sports have to and stop holding dem hand out for govt money- they govt aint hording it and do what they can

        • BVIslander (21/07/2013, 15:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

          I completely agree with you . he is right now going to world senior championships. tell me for what? he need to stay home or pay his own way and save the money. a lot of these people they are sending termed "delegation" could very well stay home....

  • Village Girl (19/07/2013, 10:04) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree with Dean...people like Myron just like the camera and always fooling the sports community that he aint have no $$$$$$ best ah he is jumping before the cameras and looking public relations and political milage
  • ooooo (19/07/2013, 10:04) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ndp thinks that a motorcade and a few fancy speeches are enough
  • Confucius (19/07/2013, 10:15) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    just be care full Dean be care full of vitimization
  • the rock (19/07/2013, 10:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    dean u are way ahead of your time..we need better facilities like weight rooms etc., they own track, the track as is right now has to much distractions, what about more trainers and coaches coming in to do clinics..eg from Jamaica.they are the best in the world, our system is out dated..not speaking bad about our local coaches..just speaking the truth..what about our young boys..why are they not taking part..what is your association doing to attract them...lets work on these things then we can talk to the government for travel expenses!
  • Dean I Hope you see this!!! (19/07/2013, 11:21) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    ATHLETES ARE NOT JUST TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES DEAN AND OTHERS. Congrats to the girls and the coaches who are there every day with those girls they have all made the Virgin Islands proud. But where is the love for the other athletes in other sports especially baseball. Baseball has sent numerous for athletes to college with one instructor leading the way with no help from no one. Not from government nor from BVI athletic association( BVI track and field association).
    • Sport y (19/07/2013, 11:50) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      The man fighting for what he's directly involved with. The B'ball Federation, Coaches, Players need to fight for their needs. Same for all other sports. Dean has always been involved with track and field.
      • @sport y (19/07/2013, 14:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Well when you using the "BVI athletic association" it need to be stated what sports falls under there portfolio.
  • slimshady (19/07/2013, 12:13) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is Tortola alone producing athletes? What about the sister Islands Virgin Gorda has some very good athletes but due poor facilities and lack of funds and no proper field it is challenge for them, having to pay the ferry to come to Tortola to practice. Is this fair in this day and age, this kind of thing being going on since my school days in 90s; imagine my brothers and sisters from the 80s had perform in these condition also.
    When will Anegada and Virgin Gorda get some sort of focus and respect when it comes to track & field and other sports. After all we are not "goats", we also contribute and represent the BVI in some sporting events too. Most of time it is the athletes from the sister Islands help make up teams and we too participate and excel beyond expectation of critics to qualify to represent the BVI (Tortola does not make up the BVI, when I last check).
    I know, some response would say blame your representative, I do agree, however, government have changed many times and ALL of them sell for the same price. NONE of them doing anything for VG & Anegada, but when election time comes it’s all about the “YOUTH”.
    "Time longer than twine" the old people say
  • swim surporter (19/07/2013, 12:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am very dissaponted in government surport to other sports especially swimming.Has anyone notice
    that they killed the swim program. They dont even mention it any more. Good thing the phillip sisters parents
    take them out of the country.
  • my two cents (19/07/2013, 14:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I believe there are good politicians on both sides of the fence, but I don't believe that they have done enough to help the sports sector
  • dem say (19/07/2013, 14:12) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dean they are so strapped for cash for sorts but not for over 1 million dollars for mans road and to hire paid consultant including their wife
  • shark (20/07/2013, 00:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I personally believe that we need to invest more in our youths here in the virgin islands.in every community here in the virgin islands we have youths with multiple talents,just waist-ed.


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