Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro has said that the success of D’Moi Hodge is a testament to the potential and talent that exists within the youth of the Virgin Islands. 

Honourable de Castro was making congratulatory remarks at the Homecoming event to celebrate Mr. Hodge as the first Virgin Islander to be signed to the NBA, namely the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Minister said, “After a ten year hiatus we restarted the Summer Programmes facilitated by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS).  Heroes like D’Moi, a former participant is proof of the tremendous impact and the need to fund and deliver these developmental programmes.  We hope that D’moi’s journey will inspire others to pursue their dreams and shoot beyond the stars.”

Mr. Hodge, who is engaged in several activities during his stay in the Territory, joined the DYAS in their Multi-Sport Summer Camp on Monday, July 24 on Virgin Gorda and Tuesday, July 25 on Tortola.

Director of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye said the department welcomed the collaboration in the basketball portion of the Multi-Sport Youth Camp with Mr. Hodge.

“The participants at our annual Sport Camp are an excited bunch from ages 6 to16.  Having D’Moi at the Camp was an added bonus that highlighted the fundamentals that the facilitators try to employ in our programmes, as well as actually witnessing an NBA player in real time,” the Director said.

Programme Officer for Sports in the department, Mr. Wayne Robinson stated that D’Moi’s contribution to the camp included a display of his workout routine with his personal trainer Mr. Tyshawn Patterson.

“After the workout, D’Moi and his trainer engaged the youth at the camp with examples of fundamental basketball drills and exercises,” Mr. Robinson said. 

Hodge also left a message on behalf of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports.
             “As a product of the Summer Sports Programme here in the Virgin Islands let me remind you to never let go of your dreams, they are the fuel for your passion,” he said, adding, “Your passion is the GPS to your goals. So get active, do the work, earn your reward.”

The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Multi-Sport Camp aims:

• to encourage students to participate in sports regularly;
• develop a healthy and active lifestyle;
• identify potential student athletes for further training;
• expose students to sports in variety;
• help develop fundamental movement skills;
• help develop communication skills and learn how to work as a team;
• and meet new friends and nurture lifelong friendships.

Note to Editors:  3 Images

Photo Credit: (GIS/Franklin Skerritt/Giovanni Herbert)

1) Department of Youth, Affairs and Sports Logo;

2) D’Moi Hodge; 3) Facilitators and Youth at Multi-Purpose Complex