Maverick Weatherhead, competing for Antigua and Barbuda, came fourth in both the under-17 800 and 1500 metres. He was beaten by two experienced runners from Jamaica and one from Trinidad.
Maverick Weatherhead made history as the first Barbudan to compete as an athlete in the Carifta Games. Maverick competed in the under-17 800 metres in a time of 1 min 57.22 secs. Maverick has a best time of 1 min 54.00 secs. Only Peter Cuffy and Shallico Charles have equalled this time in Antigua and Barbuda.
Maverick and Peter Cuffy left Barbuda on the afternoon of Wednesday 23 March, stayed overnight in Antigua and flew to Trinidad and Tobago on 24 March. They returned the following Wednesday 30 March. Maverick travelled with the Antigua and Barbuda team as one of only four athletes, who had qualified for the Carifta Games.
The Antigua and Barbuda Amateur Athletics Association took care of most of Maverick's expenses. However, Peter Cuffy was not chosen by the Association to accompany the athletes and he had to pay for everything for himself - fare, accommodation, food, taxes etc. The Holy Trinity School collected contributions for Peter and Maverick.
A team of 22 athletes from the Holy Trinity School completed in the championships at Yasco in Antigua. The team coached by Peter Cuffy, Carter Beazer, and Connie Desouza, won seven gold medals, two silver, and one bronze. Overall the boys were the second most successful team behind St Joseph's Academy. We list the results below and will add photos next week.
| Medal | Event | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | long jump under-17 boys | Archimore Walbrook |
| long jump under-17 girls | Jahmeel Jones | |
| 1500 metres under-17 boys | Maverick Weatherhead | |
| 800 metres under-17 boys | Maverick Weatherhead | |
| 1500 metres under-20 boys | Kerwin Prescod | |
| open 5000 metres | Kerwin Prescod | |
| 4 x 400 open relay | boys | |
| Silver | 1500 metres under-17 boys | Derol Thomas |
| long jump under-15 girls | Karile Harris | |
| Bronze | long jump under-15 girls | Artesha Nibbs |
The boys crossed the line first in the 4 x 100 sprint relay, but at one changeover the team passed the baton outside the zone and were disqualified.
We quote from another email sent by Peter Cuffy
| "It is nice to be here and go on line and see what is happening back in Barbuda. At this moment it is very cold, yesterday it was -1 degrees and is forecast to snow this weekend. I am sorry I cannot send some pictures, I have many. |
| I am now preparing for final exams which begin on Monday, so it is getting closer for my coming home. I can't wait to get back to some warm weather. I also can't wait to see my family and friends and my athletes. It also gives me great joy to know that even if I am not there that they are still training. I do hope that we could find someone who will be willing to sponsor them fully. I can't wait to teach them what I have learnt here. |
| Remember me in your prayers, bye and take care." |
Best wishes Peter from all in a wet Barbuda.
We quote from an email sent by Peter Cuffy
| "I am OK, just that it is very cold and I did not realise that it is so much work that I have to cover in such a short space of time. |
| The subjects that I am studying are as follows - training theory, sport physiology, sport management, sport and nutrition, and the Hungarian language. |
| Have to rush home now, it is 8 pm and cold outside, we are 6 hours ahead." |
Best wishes Peter from all in a wet Barbuda.
Peter Cuffy, the Barbuda track and field coach, left to attend a three-month coaching course at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at the Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary. The course in general conditioning looks at the different exercise and nutrition needs of athletes in different events.
Peter Cuffy is sponsored by the Olympic Solidarity Programme (OSP) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which funds programmes for participants from less fortunate countries. The OSP is providing a full scholarship for Peter to include his ticket to Budapest and the university fees. The Barbuda Council is paying for Peter's ticket to Antigua and spending money.
Peter Cuffy, who is from Dominica, has been living in Barbuda for six years and is married to a Barbudan. He has coached Barbudans for competitions throughout the region, including Maverick Weatherhead, who won the 800 metres in the recent CUT Games. Unfortunately Maverick fell in the 1500 metres.
Connie Desouza, Cora Samuel, and Mitchie David will be coaching the students and adults in Peter's absence.
Peter Cuffy has promised to stay in touch with the web site while he is away. So watch this space for details of his experiences and some photographs.
Maverick Weatherhead and perhaps Sophia Charles will be competing in the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) Games for athletes in the under-15 age group. The trials will be held in Antigua on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 June.
At 4 pm all over the world millions of people will be competing in Olympic Fun Runs. In Barbuda Peter Cuffy is organising a 1½ mile lap round the village. Runners will receive certificates of participation and T-shirts. Be part of the Olympic movement - see Peter Cuffy for details.
The Barbuda Falcons Athletics Club is holding a fundraising drive. They will cut gardens with a strimmer, trim flowers, and clean up yards generally. The charge will depend on the size of the garden and the job. See Peter Cuffy or a club member to book your garden and yard clean up.
The Falcons are raising money for uniforms and a summer project. The project will include sporting activities for a few hours a day during the school's summer vacation. Refreshments will be provided.