For the first time ever, Cayman served as host for the Caribbean International Schools Association Tournament, bringing together 26 teams, 400 student-athletes and almost 100 games.
The four-day multi-sport event, held from 22-25 April at the Cayman International School, saw Cayman athletes battle it out against visiting teams from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago.
The event featured football, volleyball and basketball, with the tournament schedule progressing from opening ceremonies and pool play into quarterfinals, semi-finals, and the eventual finals and consolation matches.
The basketball and football divisions each featured four teams per gender, while the volleyball competition included four boys teams and six girls teams.
Final results recap
The Baldwin School of Puerto Rico maintained its dominance by securing the Caribbean International Schools Association Cup – overall champions – for the third consecutive year.
This award is presented to the school that accumulates the most points across all sports and disciplines.
Their successful run was driven by a first-place finish in girls’ volleyball and boys’ basketball, alongside second place finishes in boys volleyball and girls basketball, and a third-place result in girls football.
On the Cayman side, Cayman International School secured championship titles in both girls’ and boys’ football, while also earning third place in boys volleyball.
St. Ignatius Catholic School took the top spot in the boys volleyball competition, while in girls’ basketball saw Infinity claiming first place followed by Women of Valor in third. In the boys’ basketball division, Legion secured a third-place finish.
The Carol Morgan School of the Dominican Republic secured second-place finishes in boys basketball, boys football, and girls football, alongside a third-place finish in girls volleyball.
In addition to their various placements, Carol Morgan School secured the Sportsmanship Cup, which was awarded to the school that best demonstrated respect, integrity, teamwork, and fair play– both on and off the field of competition.
The award is decided based on the votes of players, coaches and officials, reflecting how each school was regarded by the entire tournament community.
Representing Trinidad and Tobago, the International School of Port of Spain secured second place in girls’ volleyball, while Maple Leaf International School finished third in boys football to round out the remaining top three placements.
A change of plans
Tournament director Jared Joiner said, “The [tournament] was an outstanding event that truly highlighted the strength and unity of the Cayman Islands sporting community.
“While our local athletes were rightfully at the forefront, the collaboration between the Cayman Islands basketball, volleyball and football associations demonstrated an exceptional capacity to host international competitions at the highest standard.”
Joiner, who is also the director of athletics and activities at Cayman International School, shared further insight into this year’s tournament.
“Cayman International School was originally scheduled to host this event in 2027; however, due to another host school postponing because of facility construction, [we] stepped in to successfully organise and deliver [this] large-scale tournament,” Joiner said.
He indicated that Cayman International School is not scheduled to host the tournament again for another four to five years, but proudly said, “this tournament has certainly reinforced [our] reputation as a capable and welcoming host for future international events”.
For Joiner, “events of this caliber are incredibly significant for Cayman’s athletes as they provide valuable exposure to high-level competition while showcasing the islands as a premier destination for sporting excellence”.
Related Videos
