Swetes Village Reignites Love for Sports with Neighbourhood Court Refurbishment
ST JOHN’S, Antigua -Three hundred (300) Antiguans are set to benefit from a community space as the Sandals Foundation partnered with Irene B. Williams Secondary School to resurface the Swetes basketball and netball courts in the Swetes Village community.
The courts were handed last weekend in an official ceremony where the Minister of Parliament for the area Jamale Pringle along with the Jr. Minister of Education, Sports and Creative Industries Shenella Govia gave congratulatory remarks – encouraging the students and residents to protect and utilize the space for the positive betterment of the community.
The newly re-refurbished space will be used by students and residents ranging from 5-30 years of age.
It will also provide a platform for healthy recreation and life – skill development.
Valued at EC $282,000, the investment in this common space, according to Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of Sandals Foundation, “will not only foster a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship among community members but will also have a positive impact on the youth in the community by promoting physical fitness, especially among students at the neighbouring Irene B. Williams Secondary School.”
The refurbished courts, Clarke continued, “is hoped to reignite the love for sports among young people in the community and make it easier for committee members at the neighbouring school to develop formal netball and basketball teams with a convenient space for practice.”
Organised team sports have been proven to provide many benefits to children and adolescents, including both the physical health benefits from an active lifestyle, and soft skills like teamwork and problem-solving.
According to Karil Knight, teacher at Irene B. Williams Secondary School, “Over the years, Swetes
Village has been known for having the best village leagues in both netball and basketball. We have
produced excellent basketball players from well-known local teams like the Swetes Vipers, Lady
Vipers, and the Roman Hill Netball team.”
“Education and sports go hand in hand. The refurbishing of the Swetes basketball and netball courts
will benefit numerous rising stars in the community and from Irene B. Williams Secondary School,
which has approximately two hundred (200) students, both boys and girls, ranging from 5-18 years
old,” Knight added.
Supporting the creation and maintenance of community spaces that nurture the health and
wellbeing of their residents is essential for the sustainable development of communities. The
resurfacing of the Swetes Village netball and basketball courts is hoped to promote a healthier
lifestyle by offering a common area where community members can participate in this endeavour
together.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
So happy to see this after years of neglect to the people of Swetes who had one of the best leagues in Antigua
note: im already seeing cracks on the side of the court 😡
The fencing needs fixing, the stands need to be erected, some trees and plants to beautify the area, locks on the gates to keep it secured from vandalism, stray animals and people using as a parking lot. Would be good to add a jungle gym and play area for young children. Maintain a strick landscaping routine and no dances on the court
Given your happiness to see the revival of the sports complex in Sweets, perhaps you can make a project out of one or more parts of your suggestion list.
Teamwork makes the dream work..
Amd what are you doing?
Myabe they can see if Calvin Ayre can provide assistance with bringing this to life.
and it’s rolled downhill for nearly 200 feet.
Comments are closed.