Nevis, West Indies. ?A Non-Tourist-Trap? Blog About Nevis.

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
July 29, 2010 (SKNIS)

Public and private sector officials reviewed ways of strengthening the sports tourism product, and capitalizing on the potential benefits as Government seeks to enhance the Federation’s image in this sector.

Last Thursday, Grassroots Basketball Advisor and Coach John Spezia met with Minister of Tourism Honourable Richard Skerritt, Minister of Education Honourable Nigel Carty and representatives of the Ministry of Sports to highlight the successes of the Reach One, Teach One Basketball Camp. Since the camp began in 2006, ten scholarships have been facilitated for athletes to attend schools in the United States or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Coach Spezia told the gathering – which included representatives from camp sponsor Digicel, local sports administrators, coaches, athletes and parents – that he was committed to continuing the relationship with the Department of Sports and the Bird Rock Sports Club.

Spezia has been with the camp from inception and has used his post as president of the National Junior College Men’s Basketball Coaches Association to bring American coaches and current and former NBA and WNBA players to work with the local talent.

In November 2009, working in collaboration with the Department of Sports, he arranged for a squad of players from the camp to travel to the United States for a one week exhibition tour of competitive basketball against four colleges.

Coach Spezia explained he would like to see the initiative expand where American schools, including NCAA Division 1 progammes, can tour and train in St. Kitts once an indoor stadium is constructed. Dr. Mark Robinson, a colleague of Coach Spezia, has made a commitment to realize this dream.

Minister of Sports Honourable Glen Phillip told SKNIS that in addition to the construction of a multipurpose, state-of-the-art indoor sporting and cultural complex, which Government will build for local events, a recommendation was made by Dr. Robinson to have a dedicated training facility for basketball erected.

At the opening of the annual camp on Tuesday, Minister Phillip disclosed that Dr. Robinson outlined plans to raise funds in the United States to help build the facility. The Minister of Sports welcomed the pledge and said that while discussions are in the early stages, all options are being considered and Government will review the proposals when completed.

He remarked that these developments will significantly strengthen the Federation’s bid to attract international teams much like the Warner Park and Jubilee stadia have done every year.

Related posts:

1. St. Kitts – Nevis Sports Department Grants Scholarships
2. St. Kitts – Nevis Basketball Camp Helps Promising Athletes
3. U.S. College Tour A Dream For Local Basketball Players
4. Kudos For St. Kitts – Nevis Sports Tourism
5. St. Kitts – Nevis Sports Tourism Grows Economy

Warner Park Cricket Grounds – St. Kitts
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 25, 2010

In preparation for the hosting of the women’s preliminary round matches of the ICC WT20 WEST INDIES 2010 cricket tournament, the players’ facilities at Warner Park have been upgraded.

Cricket Operations officer-St Kitts, Mr. Steve Saunders explained, “Due to the fact that Warner Park would be staging two matches per day from May 5-10, two additional dressing rooms have been constructed to accommodate teams playing the second game of the day”.

He also stated that the improved facilities which are located in the Pam Tyson Netball Complex would be outfitted to meet the requirement of international standards. This development has the potential to guarantee the staging of more Twenty20 competitions at Warner Park which was improved by the Government of St Kitts and Nevis in order to host Cricket World Cup 2007.

The construction was undertaken by HYPE WORKS which is an upcoming small business owned by Butch Morris of Cayon.  He expressed his gratitude for the ICC venue office in St. Kitts, in affording him the opportunity to expand his image as a small business owner and showcase his capabilities in the construction fraternity.

Mr. Morris revealed his satisfaction with the work that has been done so far in connection with the upgraded facilities, and looks forward to celebrating the success of the tournament when it bowls off in St. Kitts on May 5.

The women’s first round matches to be staged in St Kitts, include teams from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, and world champs England.  All tickets will be complimentary, giving the fans an opportunity to see the highest caliber of women’s cricket.

For further information, please contact:

Clement Ogarro
Corporate Communications – St. Kitts

Phone: 869-466-8713
Cell: 869-662-7105

Email: cogarro@windiescricket.com

Related posts:

1. Saint Kitts -Nevis / Warner Park Cricket Ground
2. Warner Park Cricket Ground To Be In Top Shape
3. Warner Park To Host West Indies A vs Sri Lanka A
4. Warner Park Scores With International Sporting Fraternity
5. Renaming Ceremony at Warner Park on Saturday

Warner Park Cricket Ground In St. Kitts

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
January 15, 2010 (SKNIS)

The vision of a redesigned and refurbished Warner Park as a center for hosting world class sporting and entertainment events continues to come to fruition.

Warner Park cricket stadium – considered by internationally-renowned stadium consultant Donald Lockerbie, as one of the best in the Caribbean – will feature a first class cricket clash between Jamaica and the Leeward Islands over the January 15 to 18 weekend. Meanwhile, on Saturday, 16th, a major event featuring Wyclef Jean will take place next door in the football stadium.

This weekend signals the first of many regional/international events taking place at the premier facility between January and June this year. The OECS calendar lists St. Kitts as the venue for the Courts Club Netball Championships in April.

In May, first round matches of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Twenty20 Cricket World Cup will be staged at Warner Park featuring female teams from the West Indies, England, Pakistan, Australia, India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

In June, it will be the men’s turn to enjoy the cricket spotlight in the Federation. South Africa will face off against the host, West Indies, in the second of a three test series from the 19th to 22nd. Just two days later on June 24, the exciting St. Kitts Music Festival returns with a lineup of top international music artistes.

“Warner Park continues to be one of the main attractions of sports tourism in the Eastern Caribbean,” Director of Sports, Dave Connor, told SKNIS. “Last year was very successful for us and we are looking forward to consolidate gains and promote even greater use of the facilities in 2010.”

The sporting complex, which also boasts the Pam Tyson netball stadium, and tennis courts will welcome four clubs from the United Kingdom, who have already confirmed travel arrangements to train in the Federation. Mr. Connor indicated that the Dunnington Cricket Club, Manchester Grammar School, Rossall School and Parkside School will be engaged in cricket, netball and football activities when they visit between the months of March and April.

Frequent visits by these and other clubs have served to raise the talents of local athletes and officials. A number of workshops have been conducted by various visiting athletes and musicians in a bid to pass on their knowledge.

Mr. Connor added that Warner Park has also served to attract a different type of audience as cruise passengers now visit the first-class facility to take and pose for photos.

“We are very proud of the sporting infrastructure in St. Kitts and Nevis and are appealing to all individuals to join with us in protecting these investments,” he concluded.

Related posts:

1. Renaming Ceremony at Warner Park on Saturday
2. Warner Park Redevelopment Project Moving Forward
3. Saint Kitts -Nevis / Warner Park Cricket Ground
4. Warner Park Cricket Ground To Be In Top Shape
5. Warner Park To Host West Indies A vs Sri Lanka A