In the realm of sports, the night of Saturday, December 8th, saw a spectacular event when awards were presented to noteworthy young athletes of the Rainbow Rockets Sports Club. The athletes, over the course of many recent years, had been proudly coached and trained as “rainbow rockets” of Anguilla colloquially known as “Rainbow City”.
The presentations, at a delectable gala dinner at the popular Flavours Restaurant, marked the second Rainbow Rockets celebration of local sporting achievements. The Rainbow Rockets Sports Club was founded in 2012 by Mrs. Vanessa Thompson.
Many parents of the honored athletes were on hand to cheer them on, and a showing of support from friends and numerous well wishers caused the dining hall to be virtually filled to capacity. The commencement of the proceedings was delayed due to circumstances outside the control of the organizers, but by the time they got started, at about 7:45, all guests were seated and anxiously awaiting the night’s activities with heightened anticipation.
The Chairperson, Ms. Angele Richardson, welcomed the gathering. The National Song was then sung by participating athletes, Jenelle Smith, Frankajha Fleming and Zcris Hodge, while prayer was offered by Pastor Marilyn Ryan.
The Secretary of the Club, Ms. Kenniva Brooks, gave an extensive report on the activities of the Rainbow Rockets for the period 2017-2018. An extract of that report follows:
“The 2017 and 2018 athletic season for the Rainbow Rockets Track Club has proven to be a successful and fruitful season. Many athletes were able to qualify for regional meets and many obtained personal achievements.
“No one can forget the events of September 6th 2017 which left our island devastated. Our training grounds were decimated. However, this did not deter our athletes and coaches who were driven and motivated to prepare for the scheduled CUT Games in Bermuda, the Carifta Games in The Bahamas and the Culturama Games in Nevis.
“The athletes trained hard, and three of our female trainees, namely Akoyah Phillip, Tritania Lowe and Iyesha Carty, qualified for the Carifta Games. Akoyah made a hand-timed blistering run of 23.74 seconds in the 200 meters. And while Iyesha showed great command in the 400 meters, Tritania performed exceptionally well in long jump.
“However, disappointment set in as, due to the age restrictions, Iyesha, despite having broken Shara Proctor’s 16-year old long jump record of 5.23 meters, would have had to forgo Carifta. Even though she had set a new standard of 5.60 meters, the official qualifying age for competing athletes of the Carifta Games is 14 to 19, and she was only 12 years old.
“Miss T-Tkailah Richardson, World Youth Qualifier, was selected to represent Anguilla at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Queensland, in Australia, and Alexis S. Ryan was selected as the coach accompanying the team. Then, at the individual school championships, many athletes, including Master Ethan Harrigan, shone as he captured two Golds and one Silver at his Omololu International School games.
“At the ALHCS sports day, Rainbow Rockets once again shone with the following results: Adrienna Charles and Jaiden Walker captured the Class 2 Championships, and Iyesha Carty broke the 400 meters record for Class 3 girls. Akoyah Philip captured the Class 3 girls Championships with a sprint tremble, resulting in new records for the 100 meters and 200 meters and Gold 4×100 meters.
“In addition, Sethreanda Williams captured Gold in the 200 meters and 400 meters, as well as Silver in the 100 meters. Eveon Claxton won 3 Golds for 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters. Devante Rouse won the Junior Boys Road Race Bronze 800 meters and 1200 meters. Shaquanique Hanley captured the Junior Girls Road Race and Gold 800 meters, 1200 meters and 4×100 meters.
“Tritania Lowe captured the sprint double by winning the 100 meters and 200 meters. Mavicia Buchanan, our Thrower, captured Gold as she anchored Orange House in the senior Girls 4×100 meters. Finally, ALHCS’s Zcris Hodge became a first time medalist capturing Bronze in the 4×400 meters Class 3 boys relay.”
Secretary Brooks went on to give noteworthy recognition and praise for Rainbow Rockets participating athletes in the Primary School Championships. She noted:
“At the Primary School championships, Rainbow Rockets coaches led Valley Primary Golden Horses to an eighth consecutive Sports Day win, and there were many electrifying performances. These included: Monae Gumbs who stood out as she captured 5 golds and 1silver, in the long-distance races. Keante Brooks and Johniff Gumbs captured 4 Gold medals, enabling their performances to result in 7 new primary school records.
“Tejhana Young was victorious in capturing the title of Victrix Ludorum, after smashing the Junior Girls road race record. The quartet of Shaquille Watty, Aliquoy Gumbs, Keante Brooks and Kevin Jjung demolished the boys 4×100 meters record of 55.11 seconds, which stood thus for 13 years, lowering it to 54.74 seconds.”
The awards presentations accented the highlight of the night, met with exhilarating applause from the cheerful gathering. The presentations were made by renown Coach Alexis Ryan assisted by Founder Vanessa Thompson, and Dr. Dina Foy.
At the end of Saturday night’s landmark event, the Vote of Thanks was given by the President of the Club, Mr. Julia Carty Junior.
