Trio named Atlantic Youth Champs

The judges could not separate footballer Crovador and triathlete Wortman, as the two were voted as joint winners of the Youth Champion Male award. Bascombe was unequivocally the female Youth Champion.

Crovador, who is 12 years old, thanked his parents and God for achieving the award. The footballer, whose favourite player is Messi, said his dream is to play for Barcelona and TT.

Crovador led St Agnes Anglican to their first Under-12 2016 Atlantic National Primary Schools Football League title by scoring the winning penalty kick.

Wortman, who is also 12 years old, said local triathlete Jason Costelloe is someone he looks up to. Wortman said it was an “amazing” feeling to win the award, revealing he prefers the cycling and running segments of triathlons (run/ride/swim).

The Dunross Preparatory student finished first in all three events at the 2016 Atlantic Primary Schools Multi Sport Series; the aquathlon, duathlon and triathlon.

Bascombe, 13, who has aspirations of competing in the Olympics, enjoys participating in the 100-metre and 200m sprint events.

Bascombe explained she was happy to win the award but was not expecting it.

The sprinter said the award has given her the drive to achieve more. Bascombe of Maraval Girls RC was acclaimed Champion Athlete at the 2016 Atlantic National Primary School Track and Field Championships.

Chief executive officer of Atlantic, Nigel Darlow, in his address, said developing young people is important to the company.

Darlow said, “Atlantic is in a strong position to help facilitate programmes that build the future - our youth. We see it as our corporate responsibility. We try very hard to ensure that how we invest today, helps develop our young people and prepare them for tomorrow.” Also addressing the young athletes were curriculum officer at the Ministry of Education Euclid Nicholas- Sammy and TT Olympians Richard Thompson and Keshorn Walcott, who are Atlantic brand ambassadors. Fellow TT Olympian and Atlantic brand ambassador Andrew Lewis also attended.

HONOUR ROLL: Female Youth Champion Nominees Diamond Arthur - Football Maria La Foucade - Cricket Savannah Ayoung - Triathlon Isabella Mendoza - Swimming Shanique Bascombe - Track and Field (winner) Male Youth Champion Nominees David Kissoondath - Cricket Jeremiah Joseph - Track and Field Nikoli Blackman - Swimming Theo Crovador - Football (joint winner) Matthew Wortman - Triathlon (joint winner) Administrator of the Year Nominees Gregory Johnson - Football Shazad Khan - Cricket Karen Araujo - Triathlon (winner) Fair Play Award San Francique Presbyterian Primary School - Cricket Coach of the Year Nominees Theophilus Boyce - Football Robert Mahabir - Cricket Angelo Clark - Triathlon Lorraine van Druten - Swimming Kelvin Nancoo - Track and Field (winner) Team of the Year Nominees Port of Spain and Environs District - Track and Field Dunross Preparatory School - Triathlon Bishop Anstey Junior School - Swimming Bon Accord Government Primary School - Football (joint winner) Preysal Government Primary School - Cricket (joint winner)