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Getting Ready for the “Race for the Conch”

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READY SET GO, RACE FOR THE CONCH FILE PHOTO

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands – Final preparations are underway for 14th annual Turks & Caicos “Race for the Conch” Eco-SeaSwim set for Saturday morning June 29, 2024. TCI star
swimmer, Tajhari Williams, will be back to defend his back-to-back first place
finishes in the 2.4 and 1 mile events from last year. He will be contending with
several up-and-coming TCI swimmers also racing for a conch trophy to take
home along with many talented swimmers from abroad.

The beach in front of Rickie’s Flamingo Cafe will once again be the venue for the
start and the finish. Swimmers will have a choice of three main distances: 2.4
mile, 1 mile, and 1/2 mile in the beautiful turquoise waters of Grace Bay. A 100
meter Children’s Swim for youngsters 10 and under will also be offered.

Race founders/directors, Ben Stubenberg and Chloe Zimmermann, said that
they anticipate at least 100 swimmers from overseas, mainly the US and
Canada, as well as around 40 local swimmers. “Last year’s event really showed
once more that TCI swimmers can compete and win against top American,
Canadian and UK swimmers who fly in for the race,” said Stubenberg.
Zimmermann added, “It’s truly inspiring to see how far TCI has progressed in
open water swimming right here in their home waters.”

The “Race for the Conch,” rated as one of the top 100 open water races in the
world by World Open Water Swimming Association, has become the biggest
international sports event in the Turks & Caicos. In keeping with the tradition of
buying local, race organizers have collaborated with the following local artists:
Stanford Handfield to carve conch medals for each participant; Lucie Stubbs to
make the plaques that also use conch shells carved by Handfield; Alizee
Zimmermann to design the logo and design for the race T shirts. In addition,
locally created “Proud of My Island” will be the official goodie bags for racers.

The organizers takes seriously the “Eco-SeaSwim” part of the even name by,
among other things, banning sunscreens that are not reef safe. At the venue, all
swimmers will have free access to the official race sunscreen, Caribbean Sol,
which is purely mineral based.

Race for the Conch is a registered TCI nonprofit organization. Proceeds go to
Provo Children’s Home, Reef Fund, TCI Red Cross, and Project Inclusion Turks
& Caicos.

The organizers noted that this event could not take place without dedicated
volunteers along with generous sponsors, and providers. They include: Grace
Bay Club, Ocean Club East, Hartling Group, Experience Turks & Caicos, Whole
Health, Caribbean Bottling Company, Atlantic Aviation, Projetech, Finishing
Touch, SurfSide Ocean Academy, Jafooe Computer Services, Silver Palm
Charters, DJ Dayoh, Got-U-Covered, TCI Red Cross, Big Blue Collective,
Paradise Photography, Luxury Experiences Turks & Caicos, Business Solutions,
LMNT Electrolytes, Natural Trade Distribution, Caicu Naniki Vacation
Adventures, and Marco Travel.

More information about the race, including start times and course description,
can be found on the race website www.ecoseaswim.com.
Note that organizers offer special discounts for TCI residents. They should
register through their swim clubs or at the check-in desk on race day 1.5 hours
before the event start time.

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Academy Eagles FC crowned Beaches Turks & Caicos sponsored Provo Men’s Premier League champions 2026  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — The Academy Eagles FC were crowned champions of the Beaches sponsored Men’s Provo Premier League after securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over defending champions, SWA Sharks, at the Venetian Road football field.

In a match that featured a mix of youth and experienced players, the Academy Eagles eventually broke through late in the game when Jean Innocent found the back of the net in the 77th minute. Innocent doubled the lead in the 95th minute from the penalty spot to clinch the championship.

Academy Eagles head coach Aaron Lawrence expressed immense pride in his squad’s performance. “I applaud the team for their discipline throughout the season and their ability to stick to the plan heading into this game,” Lawrence shared, adding special praise for team captain Myherwens Varis for “following tactical instructions throughout the game.”

“This victory would not have been possible without the thoughtful support from our main sponsor, Beaches Turks and Caicos resort. This is the second year running with this relationship. This has provided exposure for the semi-professional players and the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association,” Lawrence noted.

On the opposing sideline, SWA Sharks coach Jack Watson was modest in defeat. While he noted that his team executed their strategy well, he recognized the Eagles’ determination. “I congratulate the Eagles team for wanting the win more,” Watson said. “We played to the game plan, but I fault a lapse in judgment that gave up two goals.”

Beaches Turks and Caicos, returning for a second year of sponsoring the competition, expressed ongoing dedication to youth football in the islands. General Manager Deryk Meany shared his enthusiasm, “I am satisfied with the impact that the league is having on youth development throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands and our resort’s involvement in fielding a team for the competition.” The final phase of the tournament now transitions to a knockout format among the eight participating clubs.

League executives also weighed in on the success of the season. Provo Premier League President, Phillip Baptiste, expressed his satisfaction with the league format and highlighted the significant progress made by the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) over the course of the tournament.

“This is what true success looks like as corporate partners like Beaches Turks and Caicos resort joins forces with the TCIFA in providing an avenue for youth development and sports. While we are happy for the continued sponsorship, we are anticipating more support from other entities. This is not only a win for sports, it is a win for development here in the TCI,” Baptiste shared.

TCIFA Technical Director Dane Ritchie echoed these positive sentiments, pointing to the league’s development as an avenue for showcasing local talent on a broader stage. “Our team continues to learn as they work on developing talents with the youth players, as well as providing a broader marketing avenue for the league to be seen internationally with FIFA+ streaming,” Ritchie said.

He added, “the TCIFA commends the growth of the coaching staff involved in the league and looks forward to further enhancing the competition to make them more competitive in the Caribbean leagues.”

Beaches FC and Cheshire Hall FC have both punched their tickets for the first two spots in the semifinals with a 2-0 win over Teachers’ Young Strikers and 5-0 thrashing of Provo United respectively in the first two quarter finals.

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Beaches Turks and Caicos Cricket Club dominates the TCICA T20 Prelim Round  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — The Beaches Turks and Caicos resort Cricket Club has officially topped the preliminary round of the Turks and Caicos Islands Cricket Association T20 competition in spectacular fashion. The squad concluded this crucial phase with highly impressive statistics, establishing themselves as the undisputed team to beat moving forward.

Team captain Sidue Hunter has been heavily instrumental in guiding the squad through their impressive run, expressing deep confidence in their collective abilities. “I am very comfortable with the progress of the squad because we have been playing good, cohesive team cricket,” Hunter stated. He further highlighted the reason for the team’s success this season, “the different areas within the squad, batting, fielding and bowling have been truly representing themselves well out there on the pitch, this is the main reason for our success this season.”

Beyond his strategic captaincy, Hunter has led by brilliant example at the crease, currently topping the competition’s overall batting charts with a staggering 383 runs. However, he is certainly not carrying the offensive load alone, as the profound depth of the Beaches batting order has been a major factor in their high-scoring victories. Teammates Kenneth Lewis and Jerome Daley have provided critical support through the middle overs, securing their places among the league’s top ten highest run-scorers with 139 and 134 runs respectively.

On the defensive side of the pitch, the bowling attack has been effectively spearheaded by the exceptional form of Anthony ‘Moses’ McKnight. The talented bowler has successfully captured 11 crucial wickets so far in the tournament, consistently dismantling the top orders of rival clubs. Reflecting on the squad’s remarkable chemistry and raw talent this year, McKnight confidently noted, “the composition of the team this season is simply the best I have ever seen.”

General Manager Deryk Meany has actively praised the seamless transition of the resort’s collaborative culture onto the competitive cricket pitch. “The team has been showing the true strength of teamwork, as the maturity and experience they display within the different areas of the resort have seamlessly translated onto the field of play,” Meany explained. This unique corporate-athletic synergy highlights the profound benefits of balancing demanding professional responsibilities with competitive recreational sports.

The overarching success of the Beaches cricket team ultimately boils down to their unwavering mutual support and highly unified goals. Meany further emphasized this internal dynamic, proudly adding, “these players represent the true meaning of teamwork, constantly providing support for each other to produce the best possible results.” As the T20 competition inevitably advances into its later stages, this unified and disciplined front makes the club a heavily favoured contender for the championship title.

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Caribbean News

Team Trinidad & Tobago Makes Waves with Historic CARIFTA Aquatics Performance

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April 14, 2026 – Team Trinidad and Tobago delivered one of the most commanding performances at the 2026 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships, finishing third overall in swimming and second in athletics, signaling a powerful resurgence on the regional stage.

Competing in Martinique, the swim team amassed an impressive 747 points and 59 medals—20 gold, 19 silver and 20 bronze—in what officials are calling a historic showing. The result marks a significant step forward from previous years, reinforcing the country’s growing strength across disciplines and age groups.

Standout performances came from a deep and talented squad. Zahara Anthony led the charge with 72 points, dominating the Girls 11–12 division across freestyle, butterfly and individual medley events. Liam Carrington followed closely with 69 points, delivering a near-flawless campaign in the Boys 15–17 category, while Marena Martinez, Xaiden Valentine and Serenity Pantin added critical points with consistent podium finishes.

The team’s strength was not limited to individual brilliance. Athletes like Micah Alexander, Ethan McMillan-Cole and Jaden Mills showcased versatility and depth, while relay contributions from swimmers including Julius Ennals and Anpherne Bernard helped secure the team’s overall standing.

The performance drew high praise from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs in Trinidad and Tobago, which welcomed the team home in celebration of what was described as a defining moment for the programme.

Minister Phillip Watts noted, “This success is not accidental. It is the result of hard work, structure, vision, and belief. Our young athletes are proving that Trinidad and Tobago is rising again.”

He added that every performance sent a clear message across the region that the country is “not standing still… we are moving forward.”

The showing in Martinique underscores the impact of sustained investment in youth development, coaching and systems, with Team TTO emerging as one of the most complete and competitive squads at CARIFTA 2026.

With momentum now firmly on their side, Trinidad and Tobago’s swimmers are not just competing—they are setting the pace for the future of Caribbean aquatics.

Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.

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