The late Vivian Rankine is
synonymous with local darts. Arguably the biggest group of people to benefit
from that connection is his family.
A host of relatives were at last
week’s 11th annual memorial tournament that bears his name. Among the most
outspoken family members at the Corner Pocket bar was Vivian’s only child
George and the boy’s aunt Rosa Echenique.
George, 16, threw out the first
dart at the competition for the fourth year in a row. He stated being out on
stage was exhilarating for him though he’s not quite ready to be a top player.
“This is my fourth year coming out
and it’s always exciting,” George said. “I wish my dad was here to see it. It’s
terrifying getting up in front of everyone and as far as being a player I’m
definitely still practicing. I don’t think I’m ready to compete in the tournament.”
Rankine passed away over a decade
ago in 1998 and was an officer for the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. He
was an avid sports enthusiast, especially with darts. Funds collected from his
competition go towards a scholarship fund for George, who is looking to attend
college in the near future.
One of the participants young
George has a close friendship with is Arek Archibold. The 12 year-old is one of
the most promising players on the local scene. Archibold backed up his stellar
Caribbean Championship performance this summer with a doubles championship
alongside Hank Ebanks. George states he is happy for Archibold and has his eyes
on attending school abroad.
“Arek is a good friend of mine.
Unfortunately with school getting more stressful I don’t see many people
outside of school. So it was good to see him out there doing well. I’m really
talking a lot about college now. With the new school system here I have a year
left. I want to be a marine biologist and I’m going to meet Guy Harvey soon to
find out more about that.”
Throughout the life of his father’s
tournament, George is close financially to achieving that dream. According to
competition organizer Martin Bodden, some CI$11,500 now sits in an account for
George. Two years ago that sum was CI$7,000. This year’s private sector
supporters had a hand in increasing that amount in chief sponsor LIME, Corner
Pocket, International Map Services, Cayman Island Proper Service Management, Carlos
and Martin’s Tex-Mex restaurant, Jacques Scott, Cayman Distributors and Tortuga
Rum Company.
For Echenique the impact of the
tournament on George’s life pales in comparison to the sense of pride it bestows
on the entire family.
“George is a special nephew,”
Echenique said. “My family has always been supportive of Vivian and they come
out in the later stages of the tournament. It goes back to the times when we
supported his mum Mavita when she was in the hospital delivering him and when
Vivian was in the States getting treatment.
“This tournament makes me feel very
important because the whole family is being honoured. I hope to see George up
there one day throw and become a champion. His dad would be very proud of him.”
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