SAASS Sets the Standard as InterCol Enters a New Era

by Michael Bascombe

Congratulations are in order for the St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School (SAASS) on a truly historic and well-deserved championship performance at the 2026 Inter-Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships (InterCol).

Let me first establish a disclaimer. I am a proud alumnus of the Grenada Boys’ Secondary School (GBSS) and a former President of the GBSS Alumni Association in New York. However, this commentary is written from a place of fairness, respect, and appreciation for the athletes, officials, organisers, and spectators who collectively made InterCol 2026 a resounding success.

SAASS did not win by chance. Their triumph was built on planning, structure, and execution. Head coach Niade Simon pointed to early preparation, beginning as far back as August 2025, where a core group of athletes was identified and placed into a comprehensive programme covering both track and field.

But beyond the programme, what stood out was the system behind the team.

A visit to the SAASS tent in the athletes’ village revealed a level of organisation that speaks volumes. Volunteers were fully engaged, masseurs attending to recovery, cooks ensuring proper nutrition, and support personnel managing logistics. This allowed coaches to focus solely on performance and strategy. It was a well-oiled machine.

In essence, SAASS did not just bring a team; they brought a support structure. And in modern sport, that often makes the difference between competing and winning.

With this victory, SAASS now moves to 22 boys’ titles, stepping ahead of their perennial rivals, GBSS. For GBSS, this result signals a period of transition and rebuilding. Head coach Nicholas Benjamin acknowledged the challenges, with injuries, relay mishaps, and extended congratulations to the champions.

However, this moment also invites deeper reflection.

GBSS and Presentation Brothers’ College (PBC), two of the largest all-boys institutions in Grenada, each with populations exceeding 700 and 400 students, respectively, possess a vast talent pool within their own walls. The question now is not about ability, but about systems, structure, and sustained athlete development.

This brings me to a broader call to action.

I am challenging the Grenada Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (GAPSS) to explore greater collaboration and expanded competitive opportunities for student-athletes. Given current global and geopolitical realities, international exposure may be limited, but the Caribbean remains a viable and valuable competitive space.

I want to suggest some areas for growth and collaboration.

Inter-island competition circuits within the OECS and wider Caribbean; exchange meets and dual competitions between leading schools; sports science integration, including nutrition, recovery, and injury management; stronger alumni engagement frameworks to support funding and mentorship; and data tracking systems to monitor athlete progression year over year

InterCol has become more than a championship; it is a national institution. The 2026 edition has raised the bar not just in performance, but in preparation, presentation, and professionalism.

The challenge now is clear: sustain the momentum, deepen the structures, and expand the opportunities.

If this is the standard set by SAASS, then InterCol and Grenadian athletics as a whole stand on the brink of an exciting new era.

SAASS Sweeps Intercol Titles, Claims Historic Double

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada, March 19, 2026 – St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School (SAASS) delivered a historic performance on Thursday, emerging as double champions of Grenada’s Inter-Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships for the first time ever, capturing both the boys’ and girls’ titles at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium.

In a landmark achievement, SAASS dethroned the long-standing powerhouse Grenada Boys’ Secondary School (GBSS) in the boys’ division, amassing 299 points to secure its 22nd championship title—moving ahead after previously being tied with GBSS. GBSS finished second with 240.5 points, while Presentation Brothers’ College (PBC) secured third with 118 points.

On the girls’ side, SAASS also ended the reign of St David’s Catholic Secondary School (SDCSS), claiming the title with 196 points. SDCSS finished second with 177.5 points, followed by St Joseph’s Convent St George (SJCSG) with 130.33 points.

The victory marks SAASS’s fourth girls’ championship title, adding to previous triumphs in 1968, 1971 and 2012.

In the boys’ competition, Boca Secondary School placed fourth with 69 points, followed by SDCSS (63), Mac Donald College (56), and St John’s Christian Secondary School (50). Hillsborough Secondary School (26.5) and Grenada Christian Academy (25) rounded out the top nine.

In the girls’ division, Anglican High School finished fourth with 114.33 points, Boca Secondary School fifth with 100, and Mac Donald College sixth with 84.33. Bishop’s College (34) and St Joseph’s Convent Grenville (33.5) were also among the leading schools.

SAASS’s dominance was further reflected in the medal standings, leading both divisions with 41 medals for boys and 28 for girls.

Head coach Niade Simon credited the teams' success to early and structured preparation.

“We started our preparations from as early as August 2025, identifying a core group of athletes and implementing a comprehensive programme in both track and field,” Simon explained.

For GBSS, the result signals a period of transition and rebuilding. Head coach Nicholas Benjamin acknowledged the challenges faced during the championships.

“I want to congratulate SAASS—they performed exceptionally well and outscored us. We made some costly mistakes, particularly in the relays, and injuries also affected our performance. However, GBSS is focused on rebuilding and coming back stronger,” he said.

Meanwhile, SDCSS coach Calim Francois cited missed opportunities that affected their title defence.

“The sub-junior relay and the junior discus throw were crucial events for us. Unfortunately, our top thrower fouled all three attempts, and while we were competitive in the relay, we were disqualified. Those setbacks proved decisive,” Francois noted.

Sports Funding in Grenada: Time to Move From Dependence to Initiative

by Michael Bascombe

For many sporting organisations in Grenada, the search for funding has followed a familiar pattern. Administrators turn to corporate sponsors, government subsidies, or the goodwill of alumni associations, particularly in schools. While these sources have helped sustain sport for decades, the reality is that in a small market like Grenada, they cannot be the only strategy.

The increasing costs of travel, equipment, facility maintenance, and participation in regional and international competitions require a more creative and sustainable approach to fundraising.

Too often, the public image of sports administration appears to revolve around the presentation of sponsorship cheques and photo opportunities. Sponsorship, however, should be the catalyst for growth, not the sole pillar of financial support. Sporting bodies must be prepared to match sponsorship funds with initiatives of their own.

There are local examples that demonstrate how this can be achieved. Several years ago, under the leadership of former president Glynis Roberts, the Grenada Netball Association undertook a series of grassroots fundraising initiatives. These included raffles, car washes, and community stalls, simple but effective activities designed to help finance overseas trips and regional participation.

These initiatives did more than raise money. They mobilised the community, enhanced the association’s visibility, and fostered a sense of shared ownership in the sport’s development.

Schools have also heavily relied on their alumni associations to fund programmes, especially athletics and overseas competitions, such as the Penn Relays. While alumni support is invaluable, schools must also look beyond this traditional route.

One of the most underused opportunities in Grenadian sport is branding. Schools and clubs should develop branded merchandise, jerseys, caps, wristbands, water bottles, and other memorabilia linked to their teams and major events such as InterCol. Supporters are often willing to purchase items that express their pride and loyalty.

At the same time, schools must reflect on how resources are being prioritised. While the marches and displays at schools’ athletic championships are dazzling and crowd-pleasing, far less attention is often given to ensuring athletes are properly equipped for their respective disciplines. Uniforms, training gear, and basic equipment should never become secondary concerns. The excitement of the opening ceremony may capture attention, but the real investment must be in the athletes themselves. Priorities, therefore, need to be carefully balanced.

Sports organisations can also consider community events as fundraising platforms. Fun runs, sports dinners, alumni games, and family sports days can attract wide participation while generating revenue.

Another promising option is digital fundraising. With Grenada’s strong diaspora, online campaigns and crowdfunding initiatives can tap into supporters abroad who wish to contribute to local sports development. Social media platforms make it easier than ever to tell the stories of athletes and programmes that need support.

Clubs and schools should also explore structured membership programmes where supporters contribute small annual fees in exchange for benefits such as merchandise discounts, event access, or recognition in programmes and broadcasts.

Fundraising must be planned and strategic, not merely reactive when travel deadlines approach. Administrators should develop annual fundraising calendars and assign dedicated committees responsible for executing these initiatives.

Corporate sponsorship and government support will always be key pillars of sports development in Grenada. However, the future sustainability of sport depends on organisations demonstrating initiative, creativity, and accountability in resource management.

Sport in Grenada has produced athletes who have excelled on the regional and global stage. To nurture the next generation, our sporting institutions must adopt the same spirit of determination and innovation.

Fundraising should not be viewed as a burden. Instead, it is an opportunity to strengthen the bond between sport and the communities it serves.