News
Long-Term Athlete Development Symposium makes major steps towards creating podium athletes in the TCI
#TurksandCaicos, June 25, 2022 – Hosting a number of power-house speakers, The Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission launched the first Long-Term Athlete Development Symposium in the TCI, under the patronage of Hon. Rachel Taylor from June 17-18, 2022
The symposium hosted sessions catering specifically to coaches and sport administrators who lead the various sporting federations in the country, aiming to create a consensus on how we can produce high performing athletes who progress to the podium. The environmental, social and psychological aspects were highlighted by the speakers, also drawing conversations to how well functioning federations are run. Sessions were also held for parents and athletes to understand what it takes to become a great athlete.
One of the facilitators was Dave Farmer, the Former Director of the National Olympic Academy of Barbados and FINA Coach certification instructor within the Caribbean and Americas. He is instrumental in developing and implementing programmes for athletes, coaches and sport managers within the Caribbean.
The Premier shared that “Sports is one of the best avenues to develop lasting relationships and if you’re communicating, collaborating and connecting it means you’re not fighting. The focus here is long term development , and so I am pleased that my government is investing heavily in sports. I know we’re not there yet and I know the level of investment is not where it could be at this moment but certainly we are committed to making sure that Turks and Caicos Islands continue to focus on development of our youth through sports.”
The second facilitator Dr. Colin Higgs, is a Professor of Human Kinetics at the Emeritus School and a national consultant in developing coaching programmes in Canada and the Caribbean. He is also a consultant to more than
55 national sport federations in Canada. The knowledge and strategic opportunities delivered in the 2-day event, have surpassed expectations as expressed by federation Executive members and coaches and have begun a paradigm shift towards sport excellence.
The symposium drew on discussion points like return on investment, aligning sectors, a vision for sport in tci, Caribbean realities, pathways to success, the role of sport leadership and talent identification.
The Minister of Sport, Hon. Rachel Taylor shared “I see sports as a means by which we generate happiness, an ordained antidote to counter the social, psychological, political and economic ills that are often exacerbated by our human tendencies and geographical circumstances. As Minister with a responsibility for sports development, youth empowerment, social protection, education and employment, I am well positioned and intent on developing needful strategies and structures to support the successful implementation of the right mechanisms to ensure that the people of this blessed and beautiful archipelago are holistically empowered and provided with opportunities to enrich their lives and contribute to the economic development of our beloved country.
This symposium is strategically designed to build our institutional capacity and provide knowledge to enhance our educational and technical frameworks particularly as it relates to long-term athlete development and sustainable programming. This symposium will also provide us with opportunities to garner the support as well as empower our key stakeholders to gain a better understanding and appreciation for the critical roles and responsibilities that we each have been charged with to support the Sports Commission and the Government in sports development across these beautiful islands.”
The Director of Sports Jarrett Forbes also shared , “The Turks and Caicos Islands is a small country and in the world of sports some may argue that being small is a disadvantage, however if we are intentional and strategic in our approach to sports, I am confident that we can achieve tremendous success. We are here today to change the trajectory of professional athletes who have slipped through the cracks. We are here to repair those cracks, and to build a sports system in the TCI which will help our athletes reach their full potential.”
All the sessions led to the great reveal of the Athlete Development Fund (ADF) created by the TCI Sports Commission . The Athlete Development Fund (ADF) is designed to support the development of Turks and Caicos Islands athletes. Funding will be provided to eligible organisations for programming that supports Long-Term Athlete Development with a special emphasis on High performance Development. The TCI Sports Commission has already invested $75,000 towards the fund, leading the charge. The ADF will also be used to strengthen our Athlete Assistance Programme.
To contribute to the fund, contact us at info.sportscommission@gov.tc.
Press Release: TCI Sports Commission
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
