SPORTS SECTION E
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2025
New national tennis champions crowned By Jonathan Burrows
T
he country’s top tennis talents took centre stage this past week as the Bahamas AID Junior Tennis National Championships concluded at the National Tennis Centre in Nassau, with several exciting matchups and breakout performances in both singles and doubles competition across all age groups. The tournament, organised by the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA), brought together elite junior players from Exuma, Eleuthera, Abaco, Grand Bahama and New Providence to compete for national titles. After several days of gruelling matches under the sun, new champions were crowned and some familiar faces returned to the winner’s circle. Here
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is a category-by-category look at the individual winners and runners-up in both singles and doubles competitions. Boys Under 12 Singles - Champion: Rohan Johnson. Runner Up: Owen Mather. Girls Under 12 Singles - Champion: Rebecca Bitan. Runner Up: Londyn Mortimer. Boys Under 14 Singles - Champion: Chase Newbold. Runner Up: Harrison Van Onselen. Girls Under 14 Singles - Champion: Addyson Munroe. Runner Up: Caitlyn Pratt. Boys Under 16 Singles - Champion: Patrick Mactaggart. Runner Up: Synaj Watkins. Girls Under 16 Singles - Champion: Addyson Munroe. Runner Up: Tatyana Madu. Boys Under 18 Singles - Champion: Jackson Mactaggart. Runner Up: Patrick Mactaggart. Girls Under 18 Singles Champion: Jalisa Clarke. Runner Up: Sarai Clarke. Girls Under 14 Doubles - Champion: Rebecca Bitan and Marina Bostwick. Runner Up: Victoria Sandi-Aguilar and Londyn Mortimer. Boys Under 18 Doubles - Champion: Patrick Mactaggart and Cohen Knowles. Runner Up: Dylan Carey and Ian Rolle. Girls Under 18 Doubles - Champion: Tatyana Madu and McKenzie Herma. Runner Up: Saphire Ferguson and Addyson Munroe. In one of the most enjoyable matches of the day, brothers Jackson and Patrick Mactaggart squared off against one another
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THE SPORTS June CALENDAR NPBA ACTION THE New Providence Baseball Association is all set to resume its regular season this week with the following games on tap at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium: Wednesday 8pm - Reapers vs Community League Friday 6:45pm - Blue Power vs Sharks 9pm - Community vs Outlawz
Sunday 3pm - Blue Power vs Reapers 5:15pm - Community vs Sharks NPSA ACTION THE New Providence Softball Association is scheduled to resume its regular season action this week in the Bankers Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex with the following games:
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ATLANTA SMOKE PRO WOMEN’S SOFTBALL TEAM TAKE PART IN FREE CLINIC By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WHILE their focus was on their three-game series against the Orlando Monarchs, the Atlanta Smoke professional women’s softball team also participated in a free clinic for young players in the country. During the Don’t Blink Sports Entertainment and B4Real Sports’ inaugural Queen of Paradise Women’s Professional Softball Series, the Smoke staged the clinic on Friday at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium. Smoke’s head coach Cat Tarvin said they couldn’t ask to be in a better location to share their experiences with the young generation of players in The Bahamas. “The camp was awesome. I was just talking about how to build softball here,” said Tarvin, who also serves as the head of the Hampton University women’s softball team. “We want to help the kids here to get off to universities and eventually go on to play at the professional level. The opportunities are there for them. They just have to embrace it.” Not only was it the first time a professional women’s softball tournament was played here, but it was also the first time that a camp also took place. Silentrain Espinoza, one of the Smoke players, said it was awesome to be a part of it. “It was just amazing to have so many girls out here. they are really excited about the sport,” she pointed out. “So it’s good to be able to participate in it.”
CHAMPION JALISA CLARKE, left, and runner-up Sarai Clarke.
CHAMPION in under-18 boys’ singles Jackson Mactaggart, left, and runner-up Patrick Mactaggart. Photos by Jonathan Burrows
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Baha Mar Resort Foundation in vibrant display of philanthropy By Jonathan Burrows IN a vibrant display of philanthropy, the Baha Mar Resort Foundation hosted a press conference yesterday following its annual Royal Blue Golf Tournament Invitational, held on June 14, during which it raised over $275,000. Held at the Baha Mar Convention Center, the post-tournament event was headlined by one of Baha Mar’s senior vice presidents, Robert Sands, who presented a series of generous donations to a wide range of local beneficiaries across The Bahamas. With dignitaries and media in attendance, the conference served as the philanthropic crescendo of the multi-day golf tournament held at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course Royal Blue, which drew local and international participation and raised significant funds earmarked for charitable causes. Sands, a seasoned executive and prominent voice in the nation’s hospitality sector, took the stage with visible pride as he announced the
BAHAMAS Humane Society received $25,000 to help with the commitment to aid and facilitate abused and abandoned pets and animals in The Bahamas. Photo by Jonathan Burrows foundation’s latest philanthropic efforts. “This morning was a tangible demonstration of our giving back to the community,” said Sands, addressing the press. The highlight of the morning came when Sands presented ceremonial cheques and donations to a series of non-profit organisations, community groups, and a single
mother in need after losing not only her home to a fire but also her child. Each recipient was recognised for their tireless work in areas such as youth development, social welfare and animal welfare. Among notable beneficiaries were: Shantia Marshall - received $15,000 to assist with the rebuilding of her home following the fire that had destroyed it.
The Bahamas National Trust - received $30,000 to help with its ongoing conservative work across the island, including its stewardship of national parks and marine resources. Bahamas Association of Physically Disabled received $25,000 to aid with the continued care and facilitation of the
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