The Barbados boys are the new kings of Sub Region 4 of the 2025 International Tennis Federation/Confederation of Tennis of Central America and the Caribbean U12 Team Tennis Championships.
Their victory at the event, which concluded in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday, has qualified the local team to represent Sub Region 4 at the prestigious COTECC U12 Team Finals in September, where they will face other top U12 teams from across the other three sub-regions.
The final results for the boys saw Barbadian Liam Cave defeating Trinidad’s Favian Dates 3-5, 7-5, [10-6] in the number 2 singles, while in the number 1 singles, Barbadian Cruz Thornton lost in another tight battle against Eli Paty 6-3, 5-7, [6-10], also of T&T. On the doubles side, Cave/Thornton defeated Paty/Dates 1-6, 7-6(6), [10-8].
The girls’ team also delivered an impressive performance. Here they are with coach Cherise Slocombe (right).
In the girls, Victoria Reifer lost to Anaya Roberts 0-6, 0-6 in the number 2 singles, with Sienna Gilkes-Lopez overcoming Teija Wellington 6-1, 6-1 in the number 1 singles. Barbadians Reifer/Gilkes-Lopez defeated Wellington/Roberts 6-3, 4-6, [10-6] in the doubles.
President of the Barbados Tennis Association (BTA) Craig Smith said both the Barbados boys and girls teams delivered impressive performances throughout the tournament:
“This was a remarkable performance by both our boys and girls. I want to sincerely thank coaches Julian Baird and Cherise Slocombe for the exceptional work they did in preparing our players and guiding them throughout the tournament. Their leadership, discipline, and tactical insight were critical to our success. The players not only competed hard but also represented Barbados with pride and maturity beyond their years.”
The Barbados boys team was placed in a group alongside Curaçao, Grenada, Aruba, and Trinidad and Tobago 2.
“The team remained unbeaten in group play and advanced to the finals to face Trinidad & Tobago 1. In a thrilling tie, Barbados secured a 2-1 victory to be crowned Sub Region 4 champions,” the BTA head told Barbados TODAY on Friday on his return home.
“The Barbados girls’ team”, he stated, “also had a strong tournament. Finishing second in their group behind Trinidad & Tobago 1, the girls went on to defeat Aruba 2-1 in a spirited semifinal to earn a place in the finals. In another close battle, Barbados fell just short against Trinidad and Tobago 1, finishing as runners-up.”
The association congratulated all the players, coaches, and supportive families for their dedication and looks forward to continued success at the COTECC U12 Team Finals and beyond.
The regional competition saw the top U12 players from across the Caribbean competing for promotion to the U12 COTECC finals. The subregion includes Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Curaçao, Grenada, Guyana, Suriname, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, the US Virgin Islands, and host nation Trinidad and Tobago.
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