The BASA Awards Ceremony for the 2017 aquatics season took place on Sunday February 25th at the Radisson Aquatica Resort. The event kicked off with a Welcome Address by Mr. Tony Selby (BASA President) and an inspirational speech by one of the founders of the Aquatic Centre, Mr. Maurice Foster. The Aquatic Centre celebrated its 70th Anniversary in 2017, and Mr. Foster shared the stories and experiences that led to the development of the facility.
The evening also included a presentation by Guest Speaker Mr. Erskine Simmons (Secretary General of the Barbados Olympic Association).
The Awardees for the 2017 aquatics season are as follows:
CARIFTA SWIMMING
The Leah Martindale Trophy for Most Valuable Swimmer: Danielle Titus
The Victor Norville Memorial Trophy for Best Overall Swim: Jack Kirby
Best Female Open Water Performance: Danielle Clarke
Best Male Open Water Performance: Eric Lashley
WATER POLO
Women’s 18 & Under
The Most Improved Player: Suann Spencer
The Most Committed Player: Thea Beckles
Men 18 & Under
The Most Improved Player: Tyrese Beckles
The Most Committed Player: Nathan James
MEN 16 & Under
The Most Improved Player: Darien Maynard
The Most Committed Player: Anij Brewster
14 & Under Mixed Team
The Most Improved Player: Rihanna Philips
The Most Committed Player: Fozlo Brewster
The Coach of the Year: Ryan Forde
CCCAN SWIMMING
Best Overall Female Performance: Lani Cabrera
Best Overall Male Performance: Alex Sobers
Most Valuable Swimmer: Nkosi Dunwoody
Best Female Open Water Performance: Amelie Baker
Best Male Open Water Performance: Nathaniel Roach
SYNCHRONIZED / ARTISTIC SWIMMING
Most Improved Swimmer: Samaiyah Forde
Best Performance of the Year: Erica Loustric
Coach of the Year: Kiera Bloom
4th COMMONWEALTH YOUTH GAMES
Best Overall Female Performance: Danielle Titus
Best Overall Male Performance: Jack Kirby
6th FINA WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Best Overall Female Performance: Danielle Titus
Best Overall Male Performance: Jack Kirby
17th FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Best Overall Female Performance: Lani Cabrera
Best Overall Male Performance: Alex Sobers
GOODWILL SWIM MEET
Most Valuable Female Swimmer: Rebecca Lashley
Most Valuable Male Swimmer: Niel Skinner
Most Motivated Swimmer: Xian Trotman
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Matthew Lashley
This award is given to an individual who selflessly made a significant contribution to the sport, their Association and Clubs for 2017. The individual receiving this award for 2017 is a constant presence at all local swim meets as either a timer or chief timer and is always willing to go where help is needed. He has also been instrumental in the development of open water swimming in Barbados over the past few years. He accompanies our swimmers on every practice to ensure their safety and keeping them on course. He served as part of the management team for the 2017 CCCAN championships and was brought in by Trinidad to assist as part of the open water safety crew for the 5KM event.
OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR: Sonia O’Neal
SONIA O’NEAL made her official debut in officiating when she attended an officials’ course held at the Gymnasium in support of the 1998 Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships hosted by Barbados to develop officials for that occasion. She continued her development as a swimming Referee and Judge, officiating at all local competitions, travelling to officiate at the Carifta Swimming Championships, Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships and the Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships annually. During that time she attended several clinics and was accredited as a FINA International Body Official from the year 2000. She officiated at several FINA sanctioned events, including the World Championships and World Junior Championships.
Sonia continues to assist the Barbados Amateur Swimming Association with the development of officials and management of locally held swimming competitions. She also travels to sister islands to assist with the management and organization of their events.
Sonia is currently the Chair of the UANA Swimming Technical Committee, and has recently been selected as a member of the International Body – FINA Technical Swimming Committee.
To add to all of this, Sonia has also served local aquatics in an administrative capacity, having been President of the Barbados Amateur Swimming Association for 12 years – (2000-2012); and President of Alpha Sharks Swim Club for 2 years (1998-2000). She is currently the Treasurer of the Central American and Caribbean Swimming Federation
SWIMMING COACH OF THE YEAR: Antonio Martinez-Petrolanda
Coach Tony has been committed to and involved with the development of swimming in Barbados for over 20 years. He has travelled as the National Coach with swim teams to numerous events around the globe, and in 2017 was the Head Coach for the teams travelling to Carifta in the Bahamas, CCCAN in Trinidad and the FINA World Championships in Budapest. He also successfully led his local team to another victory at the Aquatic Centre Invitational in May 2017.
SPONSOR OF THE YEAR: Purity Bakeries
MOST OUTSTANDING JUNIOR FEMALE SWIMMER: Aza Dunwoody
MOST OUTSTANDING JUNIOR MALE SWIMMER: Zachary Taylor
MOST OUTSTANDING SENIOR FEMALE SWIMMER: Danielle Titus
MOST OUTSTANDING SENIOR MALE SWIMMER: Alex Sobers