ST. EUSTATIUS – Two young men in collaboration with C5T Academy in the US took part in a college showcase from August 11 to 14 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. The pair were Marshel Herman and D’Shandre Turner.
The 2 young men returned to the island on Monday August 15th victorious as they had a very successful College showcase.
Herman and Turner received multiple offers of scholarships from various colleges and universities around the USA.
Island Elite Sport (IES) Foundation organized the trip and has plans to make this type of trip a yearly occurrence for prospective players. C5T is an Academy in the US where the foundation gets the consultancy and advice.
Chairman and President of IES Alex Arndell said Island Elite and C5T training have already sat together and will help the young men with choosing the best choice for each of them.
The pair were accompanied to the showcase by chaperone Dwayne Lindo.
Herman and Turner played in front of about 35 universities.
The players also received Major League professional training, advice, workouts.
Arndell said both youths made their families, the foundation and the island proud.
Arndell explained that the foundation was basically founded and will be working with the islands of Statia, Saba and Anguilla to give children similar opportunities to attend the similar showcases.
The foundation started and specializes in baseball and softball and will be adding a few other sports later in 2023.
“A lot of children love sports but the opportunity in sports is limited based upon our resources here in Statia and IES wants to change that”, Arndell said. The board of IES consists of five members Alex Arndell, Ruth Woodley, Shadisia Hook, Dwayne Lindo, Suzanne Hassell.
There are also 2 extraordinary members Mr. Sharlon Bulo in the United States (advisor and technical trainer) and Charles Lindo (advisor).
In the near future, Arndell explained that they will be starting with basketball, volleyball and soccer. “There are children on the island who reach a level both academically and physically on the field and we want to give these children the opportunity to try for scholarships and go in whatever level or sport they decide to do”, Arndell said. He said that their job will be just preparing the children the best they can and giving them the opportunity.
