A team of 13 athletes recently returned from competing against Caribbean countries at the Caribbean Union of Teachers track meet in Tortola, British Virgin Islands under the patronage of Bermuda Union of Teachers.

The squad came back with with two medals – Leo Burgess winning a gold in the Under-15 long jump and Jeneko Place claiming a bronze in the Under-15 high jump.

The event, which is held every two years, bring together students and teachers of the Caribbean for a few days of what organisers says is a "friendly competition, camaraderie and cooperation".

Bermuda Joann Adams, team manager, stated that although it was competitive, the main focus was to show students the opportunities available to them through sport and allow them to meet people of different backgrounds.

"The idea of the Games was to bring the children of the region together so they can have better understanding and cooperation amongst each other," said Adams.

"It has become extremely competitive and is sort of a developmental stage for the Carifta Games. A lot of our Carifta athletes have actually been to these Games with us.

"They have made friends from other nations through this event and have carried those friendships right up to the Carifta Games as a lot of the kids progress through the ranks.

"We are proud and pleased to be apart of this event. It is good for Bermuda and the Union.

"It is one of the things we do to give back to the community, not only through education but through other means, and also let the kids see the opportunities they can have through sports. Also it gives them the opportunity to network and meet new people.

"This also allows the kids and their parents to see the Union from a different point of view, not just the sight and sounds they hear, but to actually get to know the officers and so forth."

The championships have been a breeding ground for some of the Caribbean's most outstanding track and field athletes. Many have moved on to the CAC Age Group Championship, the CAC Juniors, the Carifta Games, the CAC Senior Championship, the CAC Games, the Pan American Games and even the World Championship and Olympic Games.

The Caribbean Union of Teachers Bi-annual Track and Field Championships were first organised in Barbados in 1986, with Bermuda being one of the original countries at the inaugural meet.

The likes of Obadele Thompson of Barbados, Najuma Fletcher of Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago's Ayanna Hutchinson, Darrel Brown and Marc Burns and St. Vincent and the Grenadines' Sancho Lyttle and Veronica Campbell of Jamaica have previously taken part.