Jodi Munn-Barrow left Trinidad and Tobago with exactly what she had traveled there to protect: her title.

The Jamaica Golf Association president successfully defended her T&T Open Golf Championship crown last weekend at St. Andrews Golf Club, producing another composed and determined performance to win the tournament for a second consecutive year after capturing it for the first time in 2025.

Her triumph did not come easily. On a course that demanded precision and patience, Munn-Barrow had to manage pressure, difficult pin positions, and a challenging final round before sealing the title ahead of two home-country contenders.

Strong opening rounds set the platform

Munn-Barrow built her victory over the first two days of the three-round championship, carding identical scores of seven-over-par 79 in rounds one and two.

Those steady efforts gave her a five-shot lead heading into the decisive final round, placing her in control but still with work left to do on a course known for punishing mistakes.

When the pressure intensified on the closing day, she did enough to stay clear. Munn-Barrow returned a 12-over-par 84 in difficult conditions, finishing with a 26-over-par aggregate of 242, a total that proved sufficient to preserve her title.

Local challengers finish behind Jamaican champion

Victoria Seenath emerged as Munn-Barrow’s closest challenger, securing second place with a combined score of 35-over-par 251. Isabella Ramdeen followed in third on 37-over-par 253, completing a top three led by the visiting Jamaican champion.

Munn-Barrow later reflected on the demands of the event and the battle required to stay in front.

“The Trinidad Open this year was quite challenging. St. Andrews Golf Club is known to be a very tight course, very slopey and fast greens. Pin placements were very challenging for the three days and I really struggled a lot with the putting over the three days,” she said.

“Was just able to try to stay within myself and happy that I was able to just, you know, overcome the difficulties I especially had on the last day and to retain the title. Truly an honour for me.”

Other Jamaicans also make their mark

Munn-Barrow was not the only Jamaican to leave an impression on the championship.

Philip Prendergast earned a podium finish in the Super Seniors division, placing third with a score of 36-over-par 252. He finished seven shots behind winner John Holley, who posted 245, while Hollis George took second on 247.

In the Seniors category, Dr. Mark Newnham narrowly missed the podium. His 28-over-par 244 was enough for fourth place, eight shots outside the top three. The division was won by Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Camacho, who finished on 10-over-par 226.

Richards Jr claims overall championship

The overall championship honors went to Trinidad and Tobago’s Chris Richards Jr., who produced the strongest scoring of the event with rounds of 73, 74, and 74.

His five-over-par total of 221 gave him a narrow victory, just one stroke clear of runner-up Yadhu Urs, who finished on 222 in a tightly contested race for the overall title.

A successful defense built on composure

For Munn-Barrow, however, the weekend belonged to resilience as much as scorecards. She returned to a tournament she had won for the first time a year earlier, carried the weight of defending champion status, and responded with the kind of controlled performance that champions often need most, not flashy, but steady, disciplined, and good enough to win again.

In the end, her repeat triumph was a testament to experience, nerve, and the ability to endure when conditions became most demanding.

Jamaica’s next generation of golfers spent the weekend battling fatigue, pressure, and the demands of elite competition as the Jamaica Golf Association staged its junior trials for the 38th Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championship.

Held at Constant Spring Golf Club in Kingston, the selection event brought together eight players across multiple age categories for a demanding 54-hole examination played over just two days. The field included seven boys competing in the Under-13, Under-15, and Under-18 divisions, along with one girl in the Under-15 category.

While the trials are usually contested over three days, this year’s edition compressed the same volume of golf into a shorter span, creating an added layer of difficulty for the young contenders chasing places on Jamaica’s team for the regional championship in Trinidad and Tobago.

JGA explains shift to two-day format

Junior Golf Chairperson Alison Reid said the revised structure was the most practical solution and offered advantages beyond simple scheduling.

“We decided to have the event over two days, so that means they’re playing 54 holes, but they’re doing it over two days, that means it’s 27 holes each day. This decision was based on a couple of factors. We have the children that come in from Sandals and Ocho Rios and it’s expensive to have them come in three days. So they’d have to come in on Friday and come in on Saturday and then, come again in on Sunday,” Reid said.

“So from that point of view, it was more affordable for the Sandals kids. Number two, they don’t miss a day of school, which is always a good thing. And the third factor is that sometimes in these events due to weather or other circumstances, they actually have to play 27 holes in a day. And it’s something that the kids need to get used to because it’s hard. It’s a different mindset, it changes the game. You have to conserve your energy, you have to hydrate, you have to eat so it’s actually a good learning curve for them, and to be honest, after the fact, all of them said they were fine. They said they were okay and it wasn’t as hard as they perceived it to be.”

The result was a trial that measured not only technical quality, but also stamina, discipline, and the ability to manage a longer competitive day.

Redlefsen rises above the field

Among the weekend’s standout performances, Shasa Redlefsen delivered the clearest statement.

Competing in the Under-15 boys division, Redlefsen posted an overall score of 231 to win the entire trial, outperforming the older Under-18 boys and securing automatic qualification for a team place in the process.

Reid highlighted the significance of his showing. “We had a really good day. Shasa Redlefsen, boys fifteen and under won the entire event with an overall score of 231. He needed 234 to qualify automatically for his spot on the team. So he did that, and he actually beat the 18 and under boys as well by two shots.”

It was the type of performance that instantly elevated him from age-group hopeful to one of the central names in Jamaica’s junior setup.

Scores across the divisions

The Under-18 boys category was led by Kemari Morris, who finished on 233, while Cameron Coe returned 248.

In the Under-15 boys section, Redlefsen’s 231 set the pace, with Jacob Schoor and Cavani James posting 284 and 285, respectively.

The Under-13 boys field saw Jace Sutherland card 233, while Kavar Davis withdrew on Sunday’s final day due to illness.

Alessandra Coe, the lone girl called to the trials, completed her three rounds in 275. She entered the event with an already notable credential, having secured a third-place podium finish at last year’s Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championship.

Development section broadens the pipeline

Beyond the main trial, the JGA also used the weekend to invest in the future by introducing a Junior National Trials Development Section.

That segment featured five additional golfers, two girls and three boys, identified as promising talents who may not yet be ready for full regional competition, but are considered strong prospects for the years ahead. Some of those players ended up completing two full rounds instead of the single round initially planned.

The initiative signaled that the association’s focus extends beyond immediate selection and toward building a deeper long-term talent pool.

Regional test awaits in Trinidad

The 38th Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championship is scheduled to be held in Trinidad and Tobago from July 28 to August 3, where Jamaica will again seek a breakthrough at the regional level.

The country’s best finishes in the tournament remain the runner-up performances achieved in 2018 at Caymanas Golf Club and again in 2019 at the PGA-rated course in Nassau, Bahamas.

This latest round of trials, then, was about more than simply choosing names. It was about identifying the players capable of pushing Jamaica back toward that level, and perhaps beyond it.

At Constant Spring over the weekend, the road to Trinidad came into sharper focus, with a demanding test revealing both the current standouts and the next wave of talent waiting in the wings

Jamaica’s World Athletics Indoor Championships campaign began with a sharp burst of momentum on Friday, as Kishane Thompson and Jordan Scott each powered to silver medals on the opening day of competition at the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena in Torun, Poland.

Thompson surged to second place in the men’s 60 meters in a personal-best 6.45 seconds, while Scott climbed the podium in the men’s triple jump with a season’s-best 17.33 meters. For both men, the performances delivered their first World Indoor medals and immediately placed Jamaica among the early movers at the championships.

By the end of day one, Jamaica sat fourth in the medal standings with two silver medals, trailing only the United States, Ukraine, and Italy.

Thompson sprints into the spotlight

The men’s 60 meters began with Jamaica showing real depth.

All three Jamaican entrants, Thompson, Bryan Levell, and Ackeem Blake, advanced smoothly through the opening round. Levell took heat three in 6.53 seconds, Thompson controlled heat five in 6.56 seconds, and Blake booked his semi-final place by winning heat seven in 6.59 seconds.

The semi-finals, however, trimmed the field. Blake ran 6.55 seconds but finished fourth in his race and missed out on a place in the final. Thompson and Levell pressed on, with Levell recovering from a slow start to win the first semi-final in 6.53 seconds, while Thompson placed second in semi-final two in 6.47 seconds.

Then came the final.

Thompson delivered the run of his indoor career, clocking a personal-best 6.45 seconds to claim silver behind American Jordan Anthony, who won the title in a world-leading 6.41 seconds. Another American, Trayvon Bromell, matched Thompson’s time of 6.45 seconds and took bronze.

For Thompson, it was a major statement on one of athletics’ quickest stages.

Levell’s final ends in frustration

While Thompson celebrated a breakthrough medal, the last race ended in disappointment for Levell.

After progressing strongly through the earlier rounds, he pulled up in the final and crossed the line seventh in 7.69 seconds, bringing an unfortunate finish to what had promised to be an excellent outing.

Scott makes history in the triple jump

If Thompson’s silver supplied speed, Scott’s medal brought history.

The Jamaican triple jumper improved on his fourth-place finish from last year’s World Indoors, earning second place behind Italy’s Andy Diaz, who successfully defended his title with a world-leading 17.47 meters. Algeria’s Yasser Triki secured bronze with 17.30 meters.

Scott’s 17.33-meter effort not only earned him silver, but also gave Jamaica a landmark achievement in the event.

“I cannot say that I did not believe I could do it, but I never thought I could be so happy with this,” Scott said.

“Last summer, I had a great season with a lot of experience over the Diamond League events. It gave me huge confidence and understanding for how to cope with all these ups and downs.”

He also placed his achievement in a wider national context.

“Jamaica is raising its profile in the field events,” he said. “Being the first man from the country to win a medal in men’s triple jump at World Indoors is like making a little athletics history for your country.”

Mixed outcomes elsewhere for Jamaica

Elsewhere on the opening day, Jamaica’s results were more uneven.

Lamara Distin placed 10th in the women’s high jump final after clearing 1.85 meters. The title went to Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who won with 2.01 meters. Silver was shared in a rare three-way tie, with Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers, Serbia’s Angelina Topic, and Ukraine’s Yuliia Levchenko all clearing 1.99 eters and producing identical jump series.

In the women’s 800 meters, Natoya Goule-Toppin emerged as Jamaica’s lone semi-finalist after finishing second in her heat in 2:01.32 minutes. Kelly-Ann Beckford, however, did not advance after placing fourth in her heat in 2:04.09 minutes.

Navasky Anderson also moved on in the men’s 800 meters, advancing as one of the fastest losers after finishing third in his opening-round race in 1:46.34 minutes. He was set to contest semi-final one on Saturday.

Jamaica, meanwhile, will have no presence in the men’s 400-meter final. Delano Kennedy exited in the first round with 47.02 seconds, while Reheem Hayles advanced one step further but fell in the semi-finals with 46.87 seconds.

Early rewards, bigger ambitions ahead

Still, the day belonged to Thompson and Scott.

One delivered a burst of pure sprinting class, the other a history-making leap, and together they gave Jamaica a strong start at a global championship where every early medal matters. Their silver medals did more than open the country’s account, they signaled that Jamaica had arrived in Torun with both range and ambition.

The headlines from Jamaica’s latest Reggae Boyz squad announcement belonged first to three new names.

English-born players Ephron Mason-Clark, Tyrese Hall, and Andre Brooks have all been drafted into Jamaica’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoffs in Mexico, with interim head coach Rudolph Speid betting on fresh energy, current form, and competitive sharpness for the most important matches of the year.

The trio was unveiled on Friday as part of Speid’s 27-man squad at a Jamaica Football Federation press conference, signaling both opportunity and urgency as Jamaica prepares for a win-or-go-home campaign. The Reggae Boyz will face New Caledonia on March 26 at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, and, if successful, will meet DR Congo on March 31 with a World Cup place on the line.

For Mason-Clark, Hall, and Brooks, the call-up represents a major opening. For Speid, it represents a clear statement: selection would be driven not by reputation, but by present-day readiness.

Why the new invitees made the cut

Each of the three newcomers arrives with a performance case behind him.

Mason-Clark has been one of the most productive attacking players in the group, recording seven goals and seven assists this season while helping drive Coventry to the top of the English Championship table. Brooks, a winger at Sheffield United, has also put together a solid campaign, while Hall, the 20-year-old Tottenham Hotspur midfielder currently on loan at Notts County, has done enough to convince the technical staff that he is ready for this level.

Their inclusion was among the clearest examples of the standards Speid said he used to assemble the team.

Speid says process was built on transparency

Speid made it clear that the squad was not selected on instinct, sentiment, or outside pressure. He said the criteria were established early and communicated widely to players and stakeholders from the beginning of the year.

“I think this is the most transparent selection policy we have ever had,” Speid said. “These were made known to all the players and all the stakeholders in early January.”

From there, he outlined the first threshold for eligibility: the level of club football.

“We were adamant that for selection, players must have a contract with a club in the top 20 leagues in the world. If you are not playing in the top 20 leagues in the world, then you must be playing in the top league in that country.”

That standard, he said, helped narrow the pool to players already operating in strong competitive environments. But meeting that baseline alone was not enough.

Form, fitness, and minutes became non-negotiable

Speid stressed that once players satisfied the first requirement, they still had to clear additional hurdles. The decisive factors were physical condition, playing time, and performance level.

“The selection criteria is one, because lots of players made the selection criteria. But of course, there’s also some requirements that are a must,” he said.

“Players must be fit. Players must be playing regular minutes at their clubs and players must exhibit a high standard of performance.”

He argued that those factors were especially critical because Jamaica is entering a playoff format with almost no margin for recovery. The team is guaranteed only one game unless it wins, and both possible opponents are expected to bring intensity, pace, and transition-heavy football.

“We know that these two games, the opposition will be high intensity. They’ll play in transition and counterattack. And for every position, these are some of the stats that drive the selection process.”

“It was not an emotional pick”

Speid repeatedly returned to the idea that the final squad emerged from evidence rather than preference.

“It was not an emotional pick,” Speid explained. “They were all data driven. And we tried our best to select the right persons.”

He then underscored the seriousness of the occasion.

“These games are high-intensity games and they are not for development. They are win-or-die games.”

That philosophy explains both the fresh inclusions and the painful omissions.

Big names return, familiar leaders remain

While the new invitees supplied the intrigue, the squad also regained an important piece of experience with the return of Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey, who is back in the national setup after an eight-month absence caused by injury.

Jamaica also retained the spine of its established leadership group, with captain Andre Blake, vice-captain Damion Lowe, Bobby Reid, Demarai Gray, and Ethan Pinnock all named in the squad.

The blend suggests a deliberate balance: proven senior figures alongside players whose recent club form has forced their way into contention.

Notable absentees reflect the new standard

Just as revealing as who made the squad was who did not.

Among the more prominent omissions were Shamar Nicholson, Dujuan “Whisper” Richards, and Kaheim Dixon, all players who have previously been important names in Jamaica’s plans. According to Speid’s framework, however, their recent lack of minutes counted heavily against them.

Nicholson, Jamaica’s leading active scorer with 21 goals in 62 appearances, has played only twice this year and has not started a club match since September. Dixon has made just one senior appearance this year for Crawley Town before returning to parent club Charlton Athletic, where he is now involved with the Under-21 side. Richards, on loan at Leicester from Chelsea, has made only three appearances this year, including a 33-minute outing in the FA Cup.

For Speid, those situations did not align with the demands of a playoff window where immediate sharpness is essential.

Speid distances himself from criticism of past coaches

Even as he defended his methods, Speid was careful not to frame the approach as a rebuke of previous regimes.

“Every coach is different. That doesn’t mean what that coach [before] was doing was wrong. It’s just the way we see with this new team, that’s the way we need to operate,” he explained.

“So what we have done is to take out a lot of the subjectivity out of who gets picked, and actually go with the raw data and the people who are performing.”

That, more than anything, may define this squad: reward for output, not status.

Travel plans now set as countdown begins

The overseas-based players were due to arrive in Jamaica on Sunday, with the full squad scheduled to depart the island for Mexico on Monday, March 23.

What comes next is stark and simple. Jamaica must beat New Caledonia on March 26 to keep its World Cup hopes alive, and a second victory over DR Congo on March 31 would secure qualification.

Speid has now made his selections and explained the reasoning behind them in unmistakable terms. He has chosen new blood, welcomed back proven experience, and built his roster around numbers, match fitness, and current form.

Now the squad must justify the model on the field.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Andre Blake, Jahmali Waite, Amal Knight

Defenders: Ronaldo Webster, Amari’i Bell, Richard King, Damion Lowe, Ethan Pinnock, Joel Latibeaudiere, Ian Fray, Kyle Ming

Midfielders: Isaac Hayden, Kevon Lambert, Karoy Anderson, Tyrese Hall, Kasey Palmer, Andre Brooks, Bobby Reid, Dwight Merrick

Forwards: Bailey Cadamarteri, Jamal Lowe, Demarai Gray, Ephron Mason-Clark, Renaldo Cephas, Norman Campbell, Tyreece Campbell, Leon Bailey

Mount Pleasant Football Academy’s Concacaf Champions Cup adventure came to a firm end on Thursday night, as LA Galaxy sealed a 3-0 victory at the National Stadium to complete a commanding 6-0 aggregate triumph in the Round of 16.

Already burdened by a three-goal deficit from the first leg in California, Mount Pleasant needed something extraordinary on home soil to revive the tie. Instead, the Jamaican club found itself undone once more by a sharper, more composed opponent that controlled the key moments and punished every opening.

By the final whistle, the scoreline had confirmed what the two-legged contest had gradually made clear: Mount Pleasant’s bold run had met a level too high to overcome.

Early warning signs became an early setback

LA Galaxy did not wait long to show their intent.

The visitors carved out the first meaningful chance of the evening after careless passing at the back from Mount Pleasant opened space for Gabriel Pec to drive into the area. He failed to convert that opportunity, but the warning was unmistakable.

The breakthrough arrived in the 18th minute. From a corner kick, Mount Pleasant failed to clear at the near post, and Joao Klauss was left unmarked in the box to turn home a header. In a tie where the margin for error was already narrow, the goal effectively pushed the mountain even higher.

Mount Pleasant tried to respond quickly, but Raheem Edwards dragged an effort wide three minutes later. As the half wore on, LA Galaxy continued to look dangerous, with Harbor Miller weaving past two defenders just after the half-hour mark before being denied a shooting chance.

Mount Pleasant showed fight, but not a finish

To their credit, Mount Pleasant emerged for the second half with more urgency and for a brief stretch appeared capable of at least taking control of the night’s momentum.

Five minutes after the restart, Edwards found himself in promising position and seemed poised to pull one back, only for his close-range effort to strike wide. It was the kind of moment the hosts desperately needed to turn into belief.

Soon after, another opening went abegging. Brown slipped beyond the goalkeeper and found himself with a sight of goal, but from a tightening angle he chose to shoot rather than square the ball to the onrushing Edwards. The chance evaporated, and with it went perhaps Mount Pleasant’s clearest route back into the contest.

Pec punishes the hosts

Having survived that brief period of pressure, LA Galaxy responded in decisive fashion.

In the 61st minute, Gabriel Pec produced the visitors’ second goal, accelerating away from his markers with ease before finishing calmly around goalkeeper Shaquan Davis. It was a crushing blow, particularly because it came during one of Mount Pleasant’s better spells of the match.

Pec returned late to add the third and complete his brace in the 87th minute. After Davis parried an initial effort from Miller, the Galaxy attacker reacted quickest inside the box and rolled the rebound into an empty net.

That final goal served as the last punctuation mark on an emphatic performance from the American side.

Another Jamaican exit at the same stage

Mount Pleasant’s elimination means a Jamaican club has now fallen in the Champions Cup Round of 16 in consecutive seasons. Last year, Cavalier exited at the same phase after a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Inter Miami.

This time, Mount Pleasant carried the nation’s hopes into the knockout stage and showed flashes of ambition across the two legs, but LA Galaxy’s quality, pace, and efficiency proved too much to handle.

There was disappointment in Kingston, certainly, but also perspective. Mount Pleasant’s players were tested by one of the region’s biggest clubs and discovered just how unforgiving the Champions Cup becomes once the margins tighten and the opposition sharpens.

Their campaign ended without the comeback their supporters had hoped to witness, yet the experience should still carry value. On this stage, against this caliber of opponent, hesitancy was punished, missed opportunities multiplied, and control of the tie slipped away for good.

LA Galaxy advanced with authority. Mount Pleasant exited with hard lessons, a harsh scoreline, and a clearer view of the standard required to go deeper in Concacaf’s premier club competition.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Dennis ‘Tallest’ Lawrence, the celebrated Trinidad and Tobago striker who scored the decisive goal to send the national team to their first and only FIFA World Cup in 2006, has spoken out against the TTFA’s decision not to renew Dwight Yorke’s contract as head coach.

Lawrence, now 51 and serving as assistant head coach at Championship side West Bromwich Albion, stressed that the decision undermines the principle of continuity, which he believes is essential for long-term football development in Trinidad and Tobago.

“In my opinion, coaches need time, especially in a job like the T&T job,” Lawrence said during an interview on i95.5 FM’s Isports program Thursday. “I did not follow the whole process of what Dwight did, etcetera, I’m speaking about all coaches in general, and that includes Dwight. What I do know is that if you’re bringing in a coach who doesn’t have the wealth of experience, and you’ve just given him a campaign to gain that experience, what harm is there in extending his tenure so that for the next campaign, he could be better prepared?”

The cost of short-term thinking

Lawrence highlighted a recurring pattern in T&T football: the tendency to hire coaches close to major tournaments, aiming for immediate results, often at the expense of sustainable progress.

“We’ve always brought in a hit man to qualify for a campaign,” he said. “If you continue to keep doing it that way, you may hit one again in the next 10, 15, 20 years, who knows? But that does not guarantee development or continuity.”

Lawrence argued that long-term strategy should outweigh the pressure to qualify for any single tournament, advocating for a measured, developmental approach.

“You can’t continuously keep bringing in a coach just before a tournament to try and achieve a short-term goal and then say the team isn’t good when it doesn’t work. That is not the correct way to do it,” he said. “If you want to do it correctly, then use the resources you have on the island, improve and grow development, and integrate foreign coaches as needed, they bring a different skill set, but do not sacrifice continuity for short-term results.”

Yorke’s tenure and the lessons ahead

Dwight Yorke took over as head coach in November 2024, tasked with guiding Trinidad and Tobago to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, the campaign did not go as planned, and contract negotiations broke down last month, leading to Yorke’s departure.

Lawrence maintained that this situation was not unique to Yorke. He noted that other foreign coaches, hired to deliver in high-stakes tournaments, have also fallen short of expectations, underscoring the systemic challenges faced by the TTFA.

“What we need is to think long-term,” Lawrence concluded. “We need to develop our football here, build on the foundations, and give our coaches the time to grow. That way, we can create a system that is sustainable, rather than chasing quick fixes.”

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews has candidly acknowledged that both her own struggles and the team’s recent batting slump contributed to a 43-run defeat against Australia Women in the opening T20I on Thursday.

After a promising start at 76 for one, the Windies’ innings faltered under pressure. Despite disciplined bowling that kept the Australians to 164 for six, the home side managed only 121 for six. Matthews could muster just 11 runs, while Qiana Joseph shone with 45 off 39 balls and Stafanie Taylor contributed 28 off 25 balls, the only bright sparks in an otherwise subdued batting performance.

Matthews confronts her form

The 25-year-old captain returned earlier this year after shoulder surgery in 2025, but admits she is still finding her rhythm. Speaking in a post-match interview, Matthews linked her personal dip in form to the broader batting struggles of the team.

“I think we can certainly take the positive out of how we bowled today, but over the last few matches we’ve probably been disappointing with the bat,” Matthews said. “I’m obviously in a bit of a rut myself, and that’s probably correlating to how we’re going with the bat, but we certainly as a batting group have to figure out ways to score and ways to get better as a team. I want us to come back strong. It’s going to be really important that we pick ourselves up.”

Bowling effort commended

Despite the batting disappointment, Matthews praised her bowlers’ performance. She noted that while batting conditions were tricky, the team failed to capitalize on opportunities.

“We probably figured that around 160 would be a good score for us to chase, so I was pretty happy about the way that went, especially the pacers getting those wickets up front,” she explained. “As the Australia innings went on, it seemed to slow a touch, picked up in the middle, and then slowed again toward the end. The conditions weren’t too bad, we just didn’t execute how we wanted today.”

Matthews emphasized the importance of resilience and learning from setbacks as the series progresses. With a clear eye on improvement, she called on the Windies to refine their batting approach and respond with greater consistency in the upcoming T20Is.

ORLANDO, Florida — When Major League Volleyball stages its 2026 AdventHealth All-Star Match later this month, Jamaica will have a place in the spotlight.

Aiko Jones, the Jamaican opposite hitter starring for the Atlanta Vibe, has been named to one of the league’s All-Star squads for the marquee event, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando. Her selection places her among the standout performers recognized as the best of the 2026 campaign.

League leans into star power and international reach

The showcase is designed not only to honor top performers, but also to underline the league’s growing reach across both the United States and the international game.

With players from across the country and around the world set to gather in central Florida, the event is being framed as a statement of Major League Volleyball’s expanding profile and competitive depth.

“From record-setting fan voting to the remarkable depth of talent across these rosters, All-Star Weekend shows the momentum behind Major League Volleyball and its place on the global stage,” said Commissioner Jaime Weston.

“In Orlando, fans will see the spirit of our athletes and the fierce competitiveness that defines this in the major leagues.”

Jones selected through blended voting process

The All-Star rosters were assembled through a combination of fan voting, player input, and league analysis, rewarding athletes who have produced exceptional performances throughout the season.

Jones’ inclusion reflects the impact she has made for Atlanta, where she has established herself as one of the Vibe’s key attacking threats. The former University of Louisville standout now carries that form into one of the league’s premier showcase events.

Interest in the event has surged sharply, with the league announcing that fan participation reached a new high.

Indy Ignite libero Elena Scott topped all players in the public vote, which surpassed previous records as more than 12,000 ballots were cast. The turnout offered another signal of the growing attention surrounding the league and its All-Star weekend.

Every MLV franchise will have representation across the two 12-player teams, ensuring the event reflects the full spread of talent across the competition.

Team Launiere gets Jones and a loaded supporting cast

Jones will compete for Team Launiere, coached by Beth Launiere, the longtime former leader of the University of Utah program. She joins a roster loaded with proven talent, including Grand Rapids favorite Morgan Hentz and Orlando standouts Kaz Brown and setter Chompoo Guedpard.

Also named to Team Launiere are Regan Pittman-Nelson, Mimi Colyer, Paige Briggs-Romine, Lydia Martyn, Azhani Tealer, Mia Tuaniga, Brooke Nuneviller, and Shara Venegas.

Team Meske brings its own star strength

On the other side, Team Meske will be led by Dan Meske of Louisville and features no shortage of firepower.

That roster is headed by Atlanta Vibe star Leah Edmond, who led last year’s fan voting, along with this year’s top vote-getter, Elena Scott. Team Meske also includes Raina Terry, Sofia Maldonado Diaz, Natalia Valentin-Anderson, Layne Van Buskirk, Blake Mohler, Emily Londot, Charitie Luper, Teodora Pusic, Marin Grote, and Marlie Monserez.

Returning all-stars add extra shine

The 2026 edition of the event will also carry strong continuity, with eight players returning after earning All-Star honors in 2025.

Among those repeat selections are Edmond, Hentz, Guedpard, and Brown, adding another layer of quality and familiarity to a contest already packed with proven talent.

The league-leading Indy Ignite paced all teams with five selections, while Dallas and host team Orlando Valkyries each placed four players on the combined rosters.

For Jones, though, the announcement marks a moment of personal and national significance. Her place in the All-Star match gives Jamaica representation on one of Major League Volleyball’s biggest stages and reinforces her standing as one of the league’s premier international stars.

Beth Mooney’s polished half-century and Alana King’s incisive spell carried Australia Women to a comfortable 43-run win over West Indies Women in Thursday’s opening T20 International at Arnos Vale.

After being asked to set the pace, Australia recovered from an uneasy start to post 164 for six from 20 overs, with Mooney anchoring the innings in style with 79 from 55 balls. West Indies, despite a promising beginning to their chase, lost momentum badly after a decisive middle-order collapse and finished on 121 for six.

The result handed the world’s top-ranked women’s T20I side a 1-0 advantage in the three-match series, with the second match scheduled for Saturday at the same venue.

West Indies bowlers control the early exchanges

For much of the first half of Australia’s innings, West Indies appeared firmly in command.

Their bowlers operated with discipline and patience, squeezing the scoring rate and forcing mistakes. Deandra Dottin produced a superb inswinger to remove Georgia Voll, who could only edge behind to wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle with Australia on 19.

The pressure tightened further when Jahzara Claxton struck soon after, inducing Phoebe Litchfield into a miscued pull that was safely accepted by Jannillea Glasgow at mid-on. At 34 for two in the sixth over, Australia had been pushed onto the back foot.

That control continued through the middle phase. Chinelle Henry maintained the pressure with a tidy spell, while Hayley Matthews, Afy Fletcher, and Karishma Ramharack kept Australia pinned down. At the halfway mark, the visitors were crawling at 57 for two and still searching for momentum.

Mooney and Perry transform the innings

Then the match shifted.

Mooney, who had moved to just 29 at a run a ball after 10 overs, changed gears dramatically and, together with Ellyse Perry, turned a restrained innings into a formidable one. Their 99-run stand for the third wicket over 11 overs reshaped the contest completely.

Mooney launched the acceleration by taking two boundaries from Claxton in the 11th over. Perry quickly added to the surge, striking Ramharack for a four and a six off successive deliveries in the next over as Australia’s innings suddenly found its edge.

Mooney, later named Player of the Match, brought up her half-century from 42 balls when she swept Fletcher to deep midwicket for four. By then, Australia had seized the initiative and West Indies were under increasing pressure.

Dottin eventually returned to break the partnership, with Perry falling for 36 from 32 balls after Chinelle Henry completed a diving catch at long-on. Henry then removed Mooney in the following over, the opener departing after a superb 79 that included seven fours and two sixes.

Still, the damage had already been done, and Australia closed on a strong 164 for six.

Dottin was the best of the West Indies bowlers, finishing with 3-35 from four overs, while Henry supported well with 2-28.

Windies begin well but fail to sustain chase

West Indies’ reply began in encouraging fashion, aided in part by uncharacteristically shaky Australian fielding.

The home side moved to 33 without loss in the opening six overs, and captain Matthews was given two lives when she was dropped twice within four balls in the fifth over. But Australia quickly made sure those missed chances did not become expensive.

King broke through by bowling Matthews for 11 after the West Indies skipper failed to connect with a slog sweep. Even then, the chase remained alive.

Qiana Joseph and Campbelle, playing in her 150th T20 International, rebuilt effectively with a 43-run partnership for the second wicket to push West Indies to 76 for two and keep the target within sight.

King’s double strike swings the match decisively

That was the turning point.

Once Kim Garth removed Joseph for a team-high 45 from 39 balls, an innings that featured seven fours and one six, Australia tightened their grip. King then delivered the decisive blows.

She trapped Campbelle lbw for 15 and, five balls later, bowled Dottin for a four-ball duck without another run being added. In a flash, West Indies had crashed from a steady 76 for two to 76 for four by the end of the 13th over.

From there, the chase unraveled.

Stafanie Taylor offered resistance with 28 from 25 balls, but the required rate spiraled beyond reach, climbing to a daunting 16.20 by the end of the 15th over. West Indies never recovered their earlier poise and limped to 121 for six at the close.

King and Wareham close it out

King was outstanding with the ball, finishing with 3-14 from four excellent overs to rip the heart out of the chase. Georgia Wareham provided strong support with 2-14, ensuring Australia’s control never loosened once West Indies began to slide.

In the end, the opening match followed two distinct arcs: West Indies first squeezing Australia, and then Australia methodically taking the contest away. Mooney’s composed assault gave the visitors their foundation, and King’s sharp intervention ensured there would be no way back.

With the series now tilted in Australia’s favor, West Indies will need a far more complete performance on Saturday to prevent the visitors from wrapping up the contest early.

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has reportedly secured a lucrative new long-term agreement with Adidas, extending its relationship with the global sportswear brand through 2034 in a move that underscores Jamaica’s growing commercial value on the international football stage.

The existing four-year sponsorship arrangement with the German company was scheduled to expire at the end of December. Instead, Adidas has chosen to deepen its commitment, agreeing to an additional eight years under a new deal that is expected to begin next January.

Report says package could exceed $2 billion

According to the Jamaica Observer, the new arrangement, which includes both cash support and equipment for Jamaica’s senior and junior national teams, could be valued at more than $2 billion, with further upside through royalties generated by jersey sales.

That would make the agreement one of the most significant commercial developments for Jamaican football in recent years, while also providing long-term backing across multiple national programs.

What makes the agreement especially notable is its timing.

The extension comes even though the Reggae Boyz have not yet secured a place at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, which will be staged across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Even without that guarantee, Adidas appears confident that Jamaica’s profile and market strength remain strong enough to justify a deeper investment.

That confidence also reflects the federation’s broader international visibility beyond the senior men’s team.

Youth and women’s football add to Jamaica’s appeal

Adidas is expected to benefit from Jamaica’s continued presence on major global stages this year through the country’s participation at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.

There is also the prospect of even more exposure in 2027 if the Reggae Girlz succeed in qualifying for what would be their third consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance.

Those pathways help explain why Jamaica remains a compelling partner: the brand is not simply aligning itself with one team, but with an entire football program that continues to generate attention across multiple levels of the game.

Jersey sales strengthen Jamaica’s commercial case

Jamaica’s appeal to Adidas has also been reinforced by the country’s performance in the retail market.

The national team has become one of Adidas’ strongest earners among its national football partners in terms of kit sales, a trend highlighted again by the success of the Bob Marley-inspired collection produced in collaboration with the Bob & Rita Marley Foundation.

That blend of football identity, cultural influence, and global marketability has helped elevate Jamaica beyond the traditional boundaries of on-field results alone.

A commercial win with long-range implications

Taken together, the new deal represents more than a sponsorship renewal. It is a substantial endorsement of Jamaica football’s brand power, international relevance, and future potential.

With Adidas now reportedly tied to the federation through 2034, the JFF appears to have secured both financial support and a major statement of confidence as it looks to grow the game at the senior and youth levels alike.

The 46th All Jamaica Senior Squash Championships burst into action Wednesday night at the Liguanea Club, where most of the seeded contenders wasted little time asserting themselves in the Men’s Open and Women’s Open draws.

With an energetic crowd on hand in Kingston, the early rounds largely unfolded according to seeding, as the tournament’s leading names powered through their opening assignments. At the front of that charge was men’s top seed Jonathan Walker, who delivered an emphatic straight-sets victory to launch what he hopes will become a title-winning campaign.

Walker makes a statement in his opening test

Freshly arrived in Jamaica for the championships, Walker looked sharp, composed, and physically superior in a one-sided 3-0 win over Mario O’Connor. The scores, 11-2, 11-3, 11-3, reflected both his command of the match and the weight of expectation he brought into the tournament.

As the No. 1 seed, Walker acknowledged both the honor and the pressure attached to his position.

“It’s a privilege to be the number one seed. Not gonna lie I wasn’t expecting it. This year is kind of tough for seedings given some injuries and some people taking some time off but I think I played really well for us at the Pan American Games and the Caribbean Championships this past year so I think they awarded me with the number one seed,” he said.

“I’m playing pretty well. I’ve been training for this tournament. I’m excited to get out there. There’s a lot expected of me, and being number one seed means the target’s on my back. I think I’m ready to handle the pressure.”

Top seed embraces the pressure, and the title chase

Walker left no doubt about his objective for the week: he is in the field to win.

“I want to win. I think that’s my goal. My goal is to absolutely win this tournament,” he said.

“It’s gonna be hard, Julian’s a great player, I’ve grown up with him, he’s one of my best friends, he knows my game in and out, I know his game in and out very well so it’s gonna be competitive, it’s gonna be hard. The same goes for Taj, same goes and all these guys have to play. That’s kind of the hard part of this tournament is that we all grew up together, we’re all really close so we all know how each other plays and it’s just gonna be a matter of who goes out there and just plays better on that day.”

The comments offered a revealing snapshot of the tournament’s competitive dynamic: a close-knit group of elite Jamaican players, deeply familiar with one another, now battling for the country’s top senior prize.

Men’s draw opens with a wave of decisive wins

Walker was far from the only seeded player to begin strongly.

Second seed Tahjia Lumley, also back on the island for the event, swept aside Govind Venugopal in commanding fashion, winning 11-2, 11-2, 11-3. Third seed Julian Morrison, returning after missing the previous two championships, was equally authoritative in his straight-sets defeat of Nirmal Balani, prevailing 11-2, 11-3, 11-6.

The first notable wobble among the top seeds came from fourth seed Dane Schwier, who was extended by junior champion Ethan Miller. Miller grabbed the opening set 11-8 and threatened an upset, but Schwier recovered impressively to take the next three sets 11-3, 11-6, 11-9 and secure a 3-1 victory in a contest marked by several long rallies.

Elsewhere, fifth seed Adam Ardito advanced in straight sets against Shane Slater, while sixth seed Bruce Burrowes, returning from injury, also progressed comfortably with a 3-0 win over Liegh Dwyer. Former standout junior Tobias Levy, the seventh seed, defeated Jake Mahfood without dropping a set, and eighth seed Jerazeno Bell completed the seeded sweep with a straight-sets victory over Fitzroy Smith.

Women’s draw begins with firm opening performances

The women’s competition also opened with the seeded players largely in control.

Second seed Kerrie-Gay Wright had to work harder than most, but she still came through with a 3-1 win over Varenyga Singh. Wright took the first two sets 11-5, 11-5, dropped the third 10-12, then regrouped to close out the match 11-8 in the fourth. It was the only women’s match on the night to go beyond three sets.

Third seed Ellie Wilson produced a crisp straight-sets performance to defeat Alexis Robinson 11-5, 11-5, 11-4, while fourth seed Nathlee Borleland moved past Priya Stoddart 11-5, 11-6, 11-3.

This year’s All Jamaica Senior Squash Championship is sponsored by Boilerco.

Jamaica’s Under-17 Reggae Girlz opened the final round of the Concacaf Women’s U-17 Qualifiers in disastrous fashion on Tuesday, collapsing to a punishing 0-9 defeat against a rampant Mexico in their Group C opener at the Costa Rican Football Federation Field.

What began as a stern early test quickly spiraled into a one-sided demolition, as Mexico seized complete control within minutes and never loosened its grip. By the end, the young Reggae Girlz had been overrun by a wave of sharp passing, ruthless finishing, and relentless attacking pressure that produced one of the most lopsided results of the tournament’s opening round.

Reyes and Urbano tear the game apart

At the heart of Mexico’s emphatic victory were Citlalli Reyes and Mía Urbano, who each delivered hat-tricks in a devastating display of attacking efficiency.

Mexico needed only three minutes to strike. Emily Delgado slipped a ball into the box for Reyes, who finished calmly to put Jamaica under immediate pressure. Four minutes later, the lead doubled when Mexico sliced through the Jamaican defense with another flowing move, allowing Urbano to finish into an empty net.

The pattern was already set: Jamaica struggling to contain the movement, Mexico exploiting every opening.

Urbano struck again in the 17th minute, completing another polished team move with a first-time finish to make it 3-0 before the match had settled into its rhythm. Jamaica was left chasing shadows, unable to halt the tempo or recover defensive shape.

Just before halftime, Mexico delivered another blow. In the 40th minute, Urbano turned provider and Reyes responded with a fierce strike from distance to send her team into the break with a 4-0 advantage.

No let-up after halftime

Any hope of a reset disappeared almost immediately after the restart.

Five minutes into the second half, Reyes completed her hat-trick, finishing from close range after another precise Mexican delivery into the area. Urbano matched her soon after, producing a superb solo effort in the 64th minute as she glided past defenders and drove a low shot home to complete her own three-goal haul.

Even then, Mexico was not done.

Ixchel Uscanga added what was arguably the goal of the match in the 70th minute, beating the Jamaican goalkeeper with a looping long-range effort from roughly 30 yards. Delgado then got on the scoresheet in the 87th minute, and Bianka Arredondo completed the rout two minutes later with another strike from distance following a corner.

By full time, Mexico had turned an opening fixture into a statement performance.

Historic night for Mexico, painful one for Jamaica

The result carried added historical weight.

For Mexico, it was the country’s first-ever 9-0 victory at this level and also its fourth clean sheet in five all-time meetings with Jamaica. For the Reggae Girlz, the defeat marked the heaviest loss in team history, surpassing the 8-1 defeat suffered against the United States in 2016.

The scoreline reflected the gulf on the night, but also the degree to which Jamaica unraveled once Mexico established its early dominance.

Daley points to communication and trust issues

After the match, defender Kalila Daley offered a candid assessment of what went wrong, pointing to breakdowns within the team rather than any single tactical issue.

“I think our communication is off, and I think we need to be more direct with that and the trust with the players. We didn’t trust each other, so I think we need to work on that,” Daley said.

Her remarks captured the broader problem that haunted Jamaica throughout the contest: a side unable to stay connected under pressure and increasingly vulnerable once the game began slipping away.

Group C picture sharpens quickly

In the other Group C match, Costa Rica defeated Panama 3-1 to begin its campaign with three points. That leaves Mexico and Costa Rica level at the top of the standings, with Mexico ahead on goal difference. Panama and Jamaica remain without a point after the opening round.

Only the group winner is guaranteed to advance to the 2026 FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup, along with the best second-place finisher across the final round groups. That leaves Jamaica with little room for error and a great deal to repair.

The opening defeat was not merely heavy; it was destabilizing. Mexico exposed Jamaica’s defensive frailties, punished every lapse, and turned a competitive qualifier into a night of damage on multiple fronts.

For the young Reggae Girlz, the challenge now is as much mental as tactical. The tournament is still alive, but only if they can regroup quickly, restore belief, and produce a drastically improved performance in their next outing.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Cricket West Indies (CWI) has officially congratulated Jason Holder for his remarkable display at the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which culminated in his selection to the tournament’s prestigious Team of the Tournament.

The 34-year-old Barbadian, a veteran of West Indies’ 2016 World T20 triumph, was the sole representative from the Caribbean side to earn this distinction, a reflection of his sustained excellence with both bat and ball.

Holder’s all-round contributions turn matches

Holder’s campaign was a model of consistency and impact. Over the tournament, he captured 10 wickets and scored 141 runs at a blistering strike rate of 174.07, maintaining an impressive batting average of 35.25. His innings often came in high-pressure situations, showcasing his ability to shift the momentum for West Indies.

One standout performance came during a group-stage clash against England, where Holder struck 33 from just 17 balls. His explosive effort helped propel West Indies to a competitive 196 for six, a total that the Caribbean side successfully defended for a 30-run victory.

He also played a pivotal role in setting a tournament record, joining forces with Romario Shepherd to establish a world-record eighth-wicket partnership of 89 runs against South Africa in Ahmedabad’s Super Eights stage. Holder’s 49 off 31 balls rescued the innings after West Indies had slumped to 83 for 7, proving his capacity to deliver under pressure.

Against eventual champions India, Holder once again delivered a late flourish, scoring 37 from 22 balls to push West Indies to a formidable 195 for four, underscoring his role as a match-turner for the team.

Holder reflects on personal milestone

Speaking about the honor, Holder expressed both pride and humility.

“This is a proud moment and achievement in what was really my first full T20 World Cup, as surprising as it may sound,” he said. “I just felt like everything for me was in alignment. My game is in a good place, I kept things simple, lived in the moment and contributed whenever the team needed me.”

CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, lauded Holder for his influence both on and off the field.

“Jason’s impact on the team and its performance during the tournament was undeniable. His selection to the Team of the Tournament is richly deserved and reflects the quality, experience and composure he continues to bring to West Indies cricket,” Bascombe said.

“His ability to influence games with both bat and ball, particularly in key moments, speaks to his value and his leadership. We are extremely proud of his performances and the role they played in the team’s success this year, but also what those performances represented for West Indies cricket as a whole.”

Holder’s recognition cements his status as one of West Indies’ premier all-rounders and serves as a reminder of the Caribbean’s ability to produce world-class talent on the global stage. His performances not only contributed directly to West Indies’ competitiveness in the tournament but also offered inspiration for a new generation of players looking to make their mark internationally.