Brac spring event a hit with kids
James Myles of YSU with Cody Kirkwood, holding prize for kick-off competition, and other participants
(CNS Local Life): The Youth Services Unit (YSU) put on three days of community-building events for this year’s Brac Spring Weekend (10-12 March 2017). The activities were also attended by students from Grand Cayman, including a group from the Cayman Islands Youth Assembly and the YouthFlex radio show., The weekend featured two youth forums; one for years 8 and 9, which attracted 30 young people and one for years 10 and 11, which drew 20 attendees.
These two events provided a space for young people from both islands to discuss local issues of interest to them and what they are experiencing as youth. The forums also provided an opportunity for the YSU and participants to form a better idea of what attendees and their peers can try to do to promote change.
The young people also took part in a three-on-three basketball tournament, which drew a large crowd of vocal spectators who rooted for the four adult and three youth teams. Cayman Brackers played well to retain their winners’ title from Brac Spring Weekend ’15 but Team Grand Cayman (Tre Dilbert, Yohan Fitzgerald, Jahmar Dawkins, Jonathon Anderson and Kashown Johnson) won the overall adult trophy.
A drone-racing exhibition also attracted big crowds. Andrew McLaughlin and Nicholas Bodden piloted the devices at the Bluff Playfield. Several spectators donned camera goggles to see the drone racers’ view of the obstacle course demonstration.
An island-wide scavenger hunt followed with five mixed teams from both islands in which participants were led by clues to many historic sites on the Brac. Team Lil Angels (Marlena Keating, Vitoria Buttrum, Ayanna Davis-Eden, Shantae Ramoon and Brianna Bodden) placed first, winning $150 and goodie bags from the Department of Tourism that included a metal canteen, sunglasses and cell phone charger pad. Team Phoenix came second, winning $100 and Team Fergy placed third, winning $75.
A kickball competition sponsored by Cayman National pitting Team Cayman Brac vs Team Grand Cayman was won by the home side 19 -11. Bracker Cody Kirkwood won the half-line kick-off competition, winning a Lionel Messi jersey courtesy of Futbolista World.
Cayman Islands Further Education Centre student Johnson, of the winning basketball team, said, “The basketball tournament went well and I enjoyed scoring. One of my favourite moments was hanging out with other young people in the Brac and getting to see what they like to do.”
James Myles, acting YSU head, said, “We are very thankful to our sponsors for helping make this event possible and the love we received from the Brackers who showed up and joined us in all these events. We were also impressed by the turnout of the junior division at the three-on-three basketball tournament and are grateful for the support from the Cayman Brac community.
“We are looking forward to growing this event and continuing to help foster dialogue between Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac youth.”
