The Blue Dolphins Cricket Club swapped bats and pads for fine dining and applause on Saturday, 6th September 2025, as members, parents, teachers, supporters, and friends gathered at Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS) Campus Q for their first annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony. The evening unfolded in a gentle rhythm — warm laughter weaving between forkfuls of food, followed by a touch of reverence as certificates and plaques were presented to the club’s rising cricketers.
In attendance were members of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School’s spirited cricket club, their families, and special guests including former ALHCS Principal Mrs. Rita Celestine-Carty, whose early support played a pivotal role in getting the Blue Dolphins off the ground.
Mrs. Deoranie Bharrat, teacher and co-founder of the Blue Dolphins, took the audience back to the club’s early days. What began as a response to children’s disappointment after the Youth Cricket Anguilla’s annual camp has blossomed into a fully-fledged cricket family.
“I said, why don’t we continue?” Mrs. Bharrat recalled. “We tried hard, made arrangements, even rescheduled for Sunday evenings to accommodate everyone. With Mrs. Carty’s support, we got our start. The students themselves chose the name Blue Dolphins — and from there, we just kept going.”
What followed was a tale of persistence: practising in corridors when the field wasn’t available, encouraging students to give cricket a try, and slowly building numbers until the club could field full Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19 teams. With their own logo designed by students, a mission to develop cricket skills for national and regional competition, and a renewed sense of purpose, the Blue Dolphins are carving out space for cricket in Anguilla’s schools again.
Saturday night’s event, however, was not just about history but about honouring the present. A total of 15 students were recognised for their commitment during the 2024–2025 academic year, with certificates awarded for sportsmanship, dedication, and positive attitude.
Among the special awards, the Most Improved Player went to D’dray Neckles, while Daejon Neckles shone as the Rising Star. The dependable Myles Barrow proudly claimed the Team Player Award, and the spirited Spark Plug honour, celebrating boundless energy, was presented to Tabari Connor. The Greatest Improvement in the Shortest Time was awarded to Kyshaun Connor, the Lone Star accolade went to club president Denari Neckles, and the ever-dedicated Orecia Lewis received a well-deserved Special Award.
Each recipient received not just applause but also a plaque and cricket gear, practical reminders that their journey in the sport is only beginning.
In a particularly touching moment, young president Denari Neckles presented Head Coach William Bourne with an award of appreciation “for spending your free time with us, teaching us, inspiring us, encouraging us, and challenging us.” It was a gesture that summed up the tone of the evening – gratitude, pride, and community spirit.
The students also delighted the audience with a lively recital of the classic cricket poem “How McDougall Topped the Score,” transporting them to Piper’s Flat and its legendary victory. Part comedy, part underdog tale, the poem reminded the crowd that cricket’s magic lies not only in runs and wickets, but also in the colourful stories it spins.
For many, the evening was about something bigger than cricket trophies. As Mrs. Bharrat put it, “We have grown a family.” And in a time when some say Anguilla has “lost a generation of cricketers,” the Blue Dolphins are working to prove otherwise and fill the gap by reigniting the island’s cricket culture from the ground up – one young player at a time.
By Janissa Fleming
