Education
Grand Turk H J Stallions rugby team travel to Providenciales and have a successful tournament
#TurksandCaicos, April 6, 2023 – In a calibration with the HJ Robinson High school and the Turks and Caicos Rugby Football Union, Aussie Dickenson has for 11 years run an after-school rugby project, which has produced players who have gone on to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands at international level. The project is more than playing rugby, it’s about values and how we apply those values to become better and successful people in our
communities.
This year’s trip was supported by the Ministry of home affairs, who stepped in at the eleventh hour and funded the hotel accommodation and food for the weekend. This is another excellent example of the community engagement and support by investing in our children and the future.
This year 21 children and 5 chaperones made the trip over to compete. A mixture of girls and boys playing in two teams, under 15’s and under 18’s. The children had trained hard for over two months, three evenings a week to develop the skills and understanding of the game.
We departed Grand Turk on Friday afternoon and after our evening meal, a trip to the super market to buy treats and goodies, we checked into the Lodgings hotel and settled down for the evening, resting up ready for match day!
Saturday morning we arrived at the rugby ground, registered and once we had set up camp, the children split into their respective teams and with allocated coaches set about running through drills and warming up for action. Both teams competed in a league competition, then in to a set of finals, where both teams came away with trophies!! What a fantastic performance. As coaches, we saw the players play some exciting and competitive games, putting the training in to action on the pitch.
Following our return to the hotel, sometime relaxing and playing games in the pool we headed out for dinner and an evening of relaxing. It was great to see all of the children having a great time and socializing well as a group. All of the children encompass everything that is great about rugby as a sport and they have all shown that the values of rugby, integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect reach further than just on the pitch, they become values in everyday life.
After a good night’s sleep, we packed up early Sunday morning and headed back to Grand Turk. We are having a break over Easter and then we will be back on the Parade ground Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings.
I am new to the Turks and Caicos Islands, arriving here just before last Christmas. I have played rugby for 44 years. I’ve coached and referred and was actively involved in my rugby club back home in the UK. It is a real pleasure for me to help Aussie and coach the children, and I get a great sense of purpose in sharing my love of such a great sport.
On behalf of all the children involved, I want to thank the Turks and Caicos RFU for organizing the tournament, the Ministry of home affairs for their fantastic support, the Department of correction and rehabilitation, especially Meshelle Jennings for organizing the logistics, Coach David and the female chaperones for their help and the and of course to thank Aussie Dickenson for his tremendous commitment to the children and the sport of rugby.
Bahamas Information Services
GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas — On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, Kingsley Smith along with Deputy Director of Education for the Grand Bahama, Bimini, and The Cays District, Michelle Bowleg toured Holmes Rock Junior High School to assess ongoing progress and ensure the project remains on track to welcome students for the new academic term in September.
Following the tour, Smith expressed optimism regarding the ongoing progress, stating, “Having toured the site and seeing the work that is
being done on the weekend, shows the commitment and dedication to getting it completed.”
He also noted that after discussions with the contractors, he was assured that with sufficient manpower and around-the-clock work, the project remains on track for completion by September 1, 2025.
“One of our underlying goals is really access, so we are happy that the school will be up and ready for our students,” said Bowleg.
She highlighted that several zoom meetings were held with parents to keep them informed about key updates including booklists, uniforms, and staffing. According to Bowleg, feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive.
“It is a beautiful facility, one that parents will be very proud of, and the entire West Grand Bahama community,” she added.
(BIS Photos/Danielle Rollon)
