03202026 SPORTS

‘Lil

Mike’ one of the top 20 beach soccer goalies in the world

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE he’s now expanding his horizon as a libero in volleyball, Michael “Lil Mike” Butler Jr has emerged as one of the top 20 beach soccer goalkeepers. The list was released on Wednesday with Butler Jr being named to the shortlist of goalkeepers from around the world. From the list, men's captains and coaches will also vote for the Beach Soccer Stars 2025 award for Men's Best Goalkeeper.

Talented Butler Jr, the 27-year-old son of national team manager Michael Butler Sr, is the captain of the men's beach soccer team and head coach for the women's beach soccer national team.

In addition to his national duties, Butler Jr also ventured into the US Pro Open last year where he increased his stock as a goalkeeper with some outstanding performances.

"It was a bit of a shock, excited, but still expected," Butler said."I almost forgot about the rankings at the end of the season. But I had a good start to my season last year.

"We had the World Cup qualifier here and although we didn't qualify, I played well. I was the captain of the team. Then I went to the pro league in the summer and we won the pro tournament in San Diego where I was the best goalkeeper and went to the section pro open like I'm going to in Virginia. We came second and I had a great performance."

Team Bahamas went on to play in El Salvador in December and while Butler Jr admitted that it wasn't one of his best performances, it still helped in him getting in the top 20 ranking in the world as a goalie.

"It means the world to me. It just proves that Bahamians are some of the most talented and gifted athletes on the planet," Butler Jr stressed. "I've been around the world and played around the world, but I've noticed that there's no one with better natural talent and ability than Bahamians. We just get beat out by the population of these other countries.

“But with the raw ability to pick up and learn things so far, there's nothing like

Carl Hield looking for Commonwealth title shot

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

NOW that he's back home with his third international belt and his first under the World Boxing Council, Carl “Flashy” Hield could be preparing for a British Commonwealth super welterweight title shot.

The 39-year-old Hield remained undefeated in 15 professional fights after he won the WBC title on February 28 in Pereira, Colombia, after Venezuelan Carlos Eduardo Jimenez couldn't answer the bell to start the fourth round.

In the process, he was awarded the vacant WBC FECARBOX super welterweight title to add to the World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedecaribe and National Boxing Association (NBA) Latin super welterweight titles

he previously held. After taking a short break to recuperate, Hield is in the ring training at the Strikers Boxing Club under the supervision of his trainer/ manager Ronn Rodgers for a possible British Commonwealth title shot.

"He's been training. He's been back in the gym after taking a week off to rest," Rodgers said. "We're trying to line up the British Commonwealth title fight for him.

"I'm still waiting on the Commonwealth belt organisation to get back to me as far as the sanctioning and belt fees are concerned. We want to see if we can get on a card over there in the UK. So our next challenge is to fight for the Commonwealth title this year."

Depending on what decision is made, Rodgers said Hield could put on an exhibition show at the end of

April on the beach, but they don't want to release any information until they hear from the British Commonwealth organisation."

Hield, unharmed during his last fight in Colombia, has been back in the gym training since Monday. He's expected to get in some sparring to get him back up to speed in his training.

"It's amazing to have someone behind you who believes in you because the British Commonwealth title is the next big route for me," Hield said.

"The British Commonwealth title fight would put the extra mileage on me getting a big fight this year or even the world title fight earlier next year."

As he has done in preparation for all of his fights, Hield said he will continue to give 150 per cent in his training sessions. "Every training camp is a better

training camp, depending on who you are going to fight," Hield said. "But whenever the fight comes up, I will be ready to fight."

Coming off his last fight, Hield said he was disappointed when he arrived home with three belts but he didn't get any type of recognition from the government.

"I'm just focused on my goal of being a world champion. But I was really disappointed knowing that as one of two Bahamian boxers keeping The Bahamas name out there in the boxing world and to come home without any recognition was a little disappointing."

In dedicating his fight to his number one fan, his deceased mother Norman Hield, Hield once again thanked his sponsors Gurus, Rigger242, R&R Sports Management,

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE only having a four lane arena to work with at the ICONS Bowling and Entertainment Center, the Bahamas Bowling Federation completed their national team roll-off earlier this month. The trials was held on Sunday, March 8, at ICONS at The Pointe where the federation selected the top eight finishers in the men and women divisions to make up the national team. The bowlers selected will be participating in several international tournaments with the view of qualifying The Bahamas for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. The team selected is a good mixture of veterans, rookies and our youth bowlers and is as follows: Females - Janice Hoyte, Jonice Lockhart, Tara Johnson, Camille Burnside, Kayla Nixon, Tara Culmer, Santa Kerr and Angela Smith.  Males - Stan Bethel Jr, Leonardo Davis, Henry Theofile, Sonith Lockhart, Ansel Ferguson, Kevin

Williams, Vaughn Gibson and Bradley Fowler. Among the international tournaments that the bowlers will compete in are: The Female Pan Am Championships in Bogota, Colombia, June 7-13, IBF World Youth Championships in Sarawak, Malaysia, June 27 to July 7, Pan Am Senior & Super Senor in Monterrey, Mexico, August 29 to September 5, IBF World Cup Championships in Munich, Germany, from October 12-21 and the Pan Am Champion of Champions in San Jose, Costa Rica, October 25-30. Burnside, the newly elected president of the federation, said they had about 26 bowlers who participated in the trials, which showed that there is still a lot of interest in the sport. "We are trying to tell them that the federation is trying to bring bowling back to the level that it was prior to COVID-19," Burnside said. "The majority of the bowlers who participated in the trials were among the top bowlers who are currently participating in bowling."

Synaj and Rebecca emerge as double champions of Fidelity Spring Classic Junior Tennis Tournament

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@ tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) introduced a new chapter in local tennis with the successful staging of the 2026 Fidelity Spring Classic Junior Tennis Tournament, its first event to utilise the World Tennis Number (WTN) system.

The tournament featured the country’s top junior players, ranging from six to 17 years old, and delivered a high level of competition across all divisions. The weekend event marked the official rollout of the WTN at the national level, aligning The Bahamas with an internationally recognised player rating system.

Leading the field were double champions Synaj Watkins and Rebecca Bitan. Watkins dominated the boys’ divisions, capturing both the under-18 and under-16 singles titles. In both finals, he defeated Spencer Taylor, who finished runner-up in each category. Bitan matched that achievement on the girls’ side, winning the under-16 and under-14 titles, defeating Victoria Sandi-Aguilar in both finals.

Several players made multiple deep runs. Taylor and Sandi-Aguilar each reached two finals, while Tatum Culmer and Aja-Rinai Adderley also advanced to multiple championship matches during the tournament.

In other results, Kingston Rees won the under-14 boys’ title over Giacomo Frascino, while Oliver Van Onselen claimed the under12 boys’ crown, defeating Tatum Culmer.

On the girls’ side, Alana Parker secured the under12 title ahead of Shamiyah Pierre.

The younger divisions highlighted emerging talent. Finlay Bacon won the under-10 boys’ green ball category, while Tatum Moss captured the under-10 girls orange ball title.

Jayce Braynen took the under-10 boys orange ball division, and Ajay Bethel won the mixed singles red ball event. Adderley featured prominently, finishing runner-up in multiple categories.

The tournament also featured its youngest competitor, six-year-old Zayn Russell, who made his debut in BLTA competition.

BLTA president Perry Newton and vice president Chilean Burrows presented trophies at the conclusion of the event, which organisers described as well-executed under favourable conditions.

The association emphasized the significance of introducing the WTN system locally.

“The BLTA is pleased to take the initiative in the region to implement the WTN on a national tournament level,” the association said. “This new rating system will be beneficial for our tennis players.”

Developed by the International Tennis Federation, the WTN provides a global rating scale from 40 (beginner) to 1 (elite professional), offering a standardised measure of a player’s level based on match performance. The system is already used internationally and has been adopted by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association for college selection and tournament seeding. The BLTA noted that the system reflects

Michael Butler Jr emerges as one of the top 20 beach soccer goalies in the world

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Bahamians.” As a late bloomer starting to play grass soccer at the age of 16, Butler Jr said within months, he moved onto the beach soccer pitch and immediately started to excel.

Last year after completing the beach soccer tournament, Butler Jr was introduced to volleyball by Je’Vaughn “JK’ Saundersa national team setter who also coaches the sport.

“I already played soccer so playing libero in volleyball was very similar to goalkeeping,” Butler Jr said. “Plus, I had some free time at that time, so I said let me try it out.

“It is high level stuff and I love competing at a high level on a regular basis. I did it. At first it was new and a lot of fun, but I caught on pretty fast.” Soccer, but beach soccer in particular, is still Butler Jr’s best sport, having played it for the past decade. But he pointed out that every other sport he ever played has helped prepare him for volleyball. He remembers travelling with his dad, Butler Sr, from the age of three to baseball where he got the nickname ‘Lil Mike.’ He had a lot of memories on the diamond playing the game as he grew up. After graduating from Garvin Tynes Primary

School in 2010, Butler Jr attended South Haven Christian Academy where he spent 10 years.

He then went on to play for the University of the Bahamas Mingoes men’s soccer team, under coach Dion Godet and Harvey Mullings, when they went undefeated in the 2017/2018 season.

After taking a brief journey to Canada, Butler Jr played one semester with Mount Allison University before he moved to Miami, Florida, and decided to propose his pro career in beach soccer.

Bowling Federation team roll-off

She noted that bowlers like Leonardo Davis and Sonith Lockhart were out of the top eight after the first block but, after the second block, they came back into contention.

“They used their wealth of experience to finish in the top four, so the competition was very keen,” Burnside said.

“With the young persons, including two under the age of 21, they all made their presence felt.

“Coming back from COVID-19, I think the team we have should have a pretty good chance of fulfilling our expectations for this year, which is qualifying for the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru in 2027,” Burnside said.

CONTRARY to reports that there will be an election of officers for the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association on Saturday at the National Tennis Centre, the BLTA refuted those claims.

Please be advised that the purported notice of an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) now being circulated is not an official communication of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) and did not originate from the Association,” the BLTA wrote.

“Unless and until the Honorary Secretary calls an EGM, there will be no Extraordinary General Meeting. Members are therefore asked to disregard any unofficial notice or communication suggesting otherwise. Any duly convened meeting of the Association will be communicated to members through the proper official channels.”

WORLD INDOORS

CHARLTON READY

On the eve of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26, Devynne Charlton of The Bahamas, world record-holder and winner of the world indoor 60m hurdles titles in 2024 and 2025, said she’s ready to defend her title this weekend in Torun, Poland.

“This is the best physical and mental shape I’ve been in since Glasgow (2024),” Charlton said. “With so many talented athletes involved, I can see it being very close. But if I have my way, then it won’t be!”

Charlton, 30, was one of the athletes interviewed in a press conference on Thursday before they prepare for the championships, scheduled for Friday to Sunday at the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena in Torun.

Charlton will be entered in the women’s 60m hurdles along with Charisma Taylor, 26, and Denisha Cartwright, 26.

Also representing The Bahamas will be Kendrick Thompson, 28, in the men’s heptathlon and Tahj Brown, 19, in the men’s 60m hurdles.

WALK RACE SOLIDARITY AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

THE Women Walk 2026 - Prayer March in Solidarity Against Domestic Violence and Child Abuse is scheduled for 7:30am Saturday from Clifford Park East and travel to Bay Street and back to Clifford Park East.

Last year’s event brought together hundreds of participants who filled the streets of downtown New Providence in a powerful display of unity and faith, including Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles as they

stood against child abuse and domestic violence.

Women Walk is a faith-centred prayer walk which brings together women, men, families, churches and community partners to stand in unity through prayer and praise.

The walk begins and ends at Clifford Park. Participants are requested to be in place by 7:30am for an 8am departure time.

The walk route leaves Clifford Park onto Marcus Bethel Way to West Bay Street (headed West) to Marlborough Street to Navy Lion Road and headed west to Bay Street to Parliament Street, head west to Shirley Street to Duke Street, head east to Cumberland Street to Marlborough Street, head east to West Bay Street to Marcus Bethel Way and head east and return to Clifford Park.

BBSF

ELECTIONS

POSTPONED

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation’s election of officers, which was scheduled for Saturday, was postponed until 10am on Saturday, March 28, at its office at the Bahamas Baptist University/College, Jean Street.

FUNERAL

RAY MINUS SR

THE funeral service for the late Kermit Lorenzo Minus “Ray Sr” will be held 1pm Saturday, March 21, at St Gregory’s Anglican Church, Carmichael Road. His body

will then be interred in the

BAAA FINAL CARIFTA TRIALS

THE Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations will hold its final CARIFTA trials from March 20-22 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The trials will follow the same format at the CARIFTA Games, scheduled for the Easter holiday in Grenada. The BAAA is allowing the athletes to get accustomed to the same racing conditions at CARIFTA.

General admission for the public is $12 per day, but there is a three-day pass of $24. Children under-12 will be charged $8 per day with their three-day pass being $20. The VIP stand is $20 per day or the three-day package is $58.

GOLF FLAMINGO GOLF INSTALLATION

THE newly elected executive board of the Flamingos Women’s Golf Classic will hold its installation of officers at 5pm on Friday, March 27, under the theme: “Leading with grace and style in every swing.”

The installation will take place at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s Nine-Hole Golf Course and Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. The dress code is Golf

On his return, he will be trying out for the men’s national volleyball team and to get ready for another stint with pro beach soccer.

Hopefully, he can maintain his short list ranking as a goalie.

Now that he has the time in between his soccer time, Butler Jr is playing with the Avengers volleyball club, who are one game away from advancing to the New Providence Volleyball Association men’s championship. They will be back in action tonight at the DW Davis Gymnasium. Next week, Butler Jr will be travelling with the men’s grass soccer national team to the Cayman Islands where they have two games scheduled.

Clic. Refreshments will be served following the installation.

To RSVP persons are urged to email flamingoswomengolf@gmail.com SPECIAL OLYMPICS

AWARENESS WALK

SPECIAL Olympics

Bahamas is scheduled to hold its Awareness Walk on Saturday, March 28, starting at 9am at the Western Esplanade.

The route will leave from the Western Esplanade, turn south onto Nassau Street to Poinciana Drive, continue south to University Drive and ending at the entrance of the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre’s Legends Walk of Fame.

Individuals and groups/ organisations are invited to participate.

The registration is now open.

Persons can enter the QR code, open the link, complete the applicable Individual OR Group Registration Form, submit along with their donation and they are all set to go.

GOLF

REGISTRATION FOR TOP CLASS SESSIONS

THE opening session of the Top Classic Golf Institute got underway on Saturday at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s NineHole Driving Range.

The event will end on Saturday, April 11.

“So if you look at the list of tournaments we have our eyes set on competing in this year, three of them are qualifiers for the Pan Am Games. So we are eager to compete in these tournaments and hopefully we will get to qualify for the Pan Am Games.”

As for the men, their Pan Am qualifier will be held in Lima, Peru, next year. But Burnside added that there is also the World Cup in Germany where the top four men and women will represent The Bahamas.

The trials was the first event for the federation after holding its election of officers in January. While Burnside was elected as the new president, she was joined by Joanne Woodside-Powell as first vice president, Raymond Adderley as second vice president, Greg Taylor as secretary, Tara Johnson as assistant secretary, Janice Hoyte as treasurer, Stan Bethell Jr as assistant treasurer, Kayla Nixon-Smith as chaplin and Juan Gibson as the assistant chaplin.

“The slate is working. We have been out and about contacting potential sponsors to corporate Bahamas for assistance with teams travelling,” Burnside said.

“We’re working to get The Bahamas back on the international stage and to qualify for Pan Am. Joanne Woodside-Powell is a former president and we have some new blood in Juan Gibson, Tara Johnson and Raymond Adderley.”

With ICONS as their home base, Burnside said Clayton Gardiner hosts a tournament every two Sundays with about 20 competitors participating to keep them competitive.

ICONS currently has four lanes, but they are expected to be expanded with about five coming on stream by July, which will provide the federation with some additional space to work with.

Bahamas recipient of the first two FIFA Arena mini-soccer pitches in Caribbean

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas is now the recipient of the first two FIFA Arena mini-soccer pitches in the Caribbean.

Jair Bertoni, the director of the Member Associations Americas, was in town yesterday to join in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the two green artificial turf pitches at Columbus Primary and Garvin Tynes Primary.

The pitches are a part of FIFA's Arena Initiative for 2025-2031, launched by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, to provide 1000 mini pitches worldwide to expand access to football for young people.

In attendance for the ceremony was Minister of

Education Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, Anya James, president of the Bahamas Football Association, and her executive team. In her keynote address, Hanna-Martin talked about the collaboration of both ministries along with FIFA and the BFA in getting the first two pitches constructed. She noted that she overheard James asking Bertoni about the other three pitches that were promised. She noted they will go a long way in the further growth and development of the sport in the country. Bowleg said it was significant for both ministries to be able to make good use of the pitches and eventually the country can see the next

great football superstar emerging from the sport.

Bertoni, in his remarks, indicated that FIBA was delighted to be able to bring the first two pitches in the region to The Bahamas and he's confident that the BFA will make good use of them.

As the first female president of the BFA, James said she was delighted to see that The Bahamas was the first in the region to be awarded the two arenas, which will only enhance the sport in the country.

She noted that football unites the world and the BFA is delighted in doing its part to ensure that the world knows that The Bahamas is a place to come and enjoy the game.

Through FIFA, the BFA has already gained the

Roscoe Davies Developmental Center at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex and the beach soccer facility at the foot of the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge on East Bay Street.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, an exhibition game was played between Columbus Primary and Garvin Tynes, officiated by Bruce Swan, the technical director for the BFA. While the outcome did not matter, the players were all delighted to be able to christen the new pitch at Columbus Primary. Both pitches can accommodate about 5-7 players per side in competition.

During the ceremony, the visiting delegates were entertained by a cultural performance from the Columbus Primary School

Liturgical Dancers and the Garvin Tynes Junkanoo Dancers. The two pitches, according to moderator Carl Lynch, deputy general secretary of the BFA, could not have been possible without the assistance from the Bahamas Government,

FIFA and the BFA.

mentioned Future

Development, T-Mack Landscaping, Adderley's Heavy Equipment, Master Creations, The Movi Group, Cartwright's Building Supplies and the Fiberglass Company Limited for their contributions as well.