Virgin Islanders Claury Scatliffe and Dariér Malone were celebrated for their historic achievements after capturing the 2025 European Women’s Baseball Championship title in the Czech Republic.

The athletes represented Team Great Britain in the championships. Scatliffe was named Best Pitcher, while Malone earned Most Valuable Player (MVP), a first for Virgin Islands athletes on the European stage. Both athletes have since been invited to compete in the upcoming World Baseball Championships, further cementing their place among the sport’s elite. 

 The Virgin Islands Softball/Baseball Association (VISBA), in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports (MEYAS), hosted a welcome home ceremony on Tuesday, 19 August, at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport to celebrate the historic achievements of the athletes.

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro commended the athletes and highlighted the government’s continued investment in sport.

Honourable de Castro stated, “You can’t be invited on the world stage to showcase your skills and not be supported. Through the ministry’s assistance grants, we were proud to fully fund Claury and Dariér’s participation. 

Honourable de Castro added, “Their success is proof that investing in our athletes pays off. This sport is personal to me, and I am committed to ensuring that from the grassroots to the adult level, softball and baseball continue to thrive in the Virgin Islands.”

The Minister said this commitment is reflected in the significant increase of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports’ budget which has grown from just over $600,000 to more than $2.1 million in the past two years, with specific allocations for grants for athletes, associations, and federations. 

Both honourees expressed heartfelt gratitude to their families, coaches, and supporters for helping them reach this historic moment. Malone shared that she had quietly set her sights on the MVP title as a way of honouring her late grandmother while Scatliffe, who was named Best Pitcher, described the recognition as surreal and humbling, offering thanks to her family, sponsors, and supporters. She added that she knows her late coach, Terrence “Chino” Chinnery, is looking down proudly.

The ceremony also recognised the accomplishment of Virgin Islander Jquann Smith, who played a pivotal role in Great Britain’s victory at the WBSC U-23 European Baseball Championship on August 9. Although Smith has not yet returned home, he too will receive a hero’s welcome upon his arrival.

NOTES TO EDITORS 

Photo 1: From left- Dariér Malone, MVP; Claury Scatliffe, Best Pitcher; and Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Sharie B. de Castro. Photo courtesy of the Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association (VISBA) Facebook page.