The journey begins at Mindoo Phillip Park and extends to Franklin Field, marking a significant milestone for athletics in Saint Lucia.
St Mary’s College will make history as the first team to represent the country at the Penn Relay Carnival and will compete in the High School Boys category from April 21-25 at the University of Pennsylvania.
The SMC team to Penn Relays includes 17-year-old Terrick Plummer, who represented Saint Lucia at the CARIFTA Games last year in Trinidad & Tobago, along with Under-17 national champion over 200m and 400m, Joshua Matthew, 16. Also included are Ethan Doxerie (16), Zayne Henry (15), and Tai La Force (16), with Lenyn Leonce as head coach. They will compete in the international 4x100m and 4x400m events.
This opportunity could provide valuable experience, with hopes that it lays the groundwork for an improved showing in next year’s Island Champs relays. Notably, the Samarians earned a single bronze medal in the Under-16 4x400m this year across five relay events.
At the Penn Relays, the Saint Lucian athletes will encounter schools from across the Caribbean, primarily Jamaica, as well as Trinidad & Tobago, The Bahamas, St Vincent & the Grenadines, and St Kitts & Nevis. The historic meet, held since 1895 at Franklin Field, attracts over 15,000 student-athletes from hundreds of institutions worldwide.
SMC’s participation is made possible by Hamilton Reserve Bank, the largest global bank headquartered in the Caribbean, with assets exceeding US$6 billion. “This milestone event for Saint Lucia represents more than participation,” read a release from the bank. “It signals a strategic investment in youth development, global exposure, and high-performance sports by the largest global bank in the Caribbean region.
“Saint Lucia, known for its stunning natural beauty and growing athletic excellence – highlighted by Olympic gold medallist Julien Alfred, is now extending its presence onto a global stage that has shaped generations of top-tier competitors.”
Hamilton Reserve Bank’s corporate sponsorship provides full financial and logistical support for the team, including international airfare, accommodations, meals, ground transportation and official athletic gear.
“At Hamilton Reserve Bank, we unlock Caribbean potential by connecting aspiration with access,” said Merkisha Desir, a Saint Lucia native and senior relationship banker at Hamilton Reserve Bank. “For our bank, the Caribbean is home. Our corporate commitment to regional development extends beyond offering the fastest bank wires in the world in seconds and enabling new banking customers to be approved 100% online in 20 minutes. We are building bridges between Caribbean talent and global opportunities for years to come.”
(TF)
This is HUGE– these boys’ lives will be changed forever! Penn Relays is the largest, most attended, hypest crowd of any track and field event in the world– Olympics does not have that Vibe! It will expose them a high level of competition that if they adopt will give them an edge over their rivals int he near future. !!!! Thanks to this BANK- never heard of you but kudos for giving back to the youth!
All the best Boys.
Hey! Good to see people representing st.lucia give our lord jesus christ praises Yes!
Boy oh boy, tough luck my Vieux Fort boys, maybe next year that opportunity MIGHT come, by not winning the 4 x 100 at Champs.
I’m trying to undertand how Vieux Fort Comprehensive can win Island Champs, beating SMC in style in the relays yet they were not afforded this opportunity. Why isn’t anyone representing the youth from Vieux Fort on this issue? Does VFCSS have a principal? Do they have teachers and coaches? Is there no one to speak for them? How can this be an SMC team when one of the athletes attends SALCC? Just corruption everywhere, smh.