The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus marked a significant milestone in its sporting history by finishing fourth overall in its debut appearance at the 2026 UWI Games, earning three bronze medals and 44 points during the regional competition.

The Games concluded on May 29 at the St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago, bringing together student-athletes from across The UWI system under the theme “Reunited, Reignited, Ready.” While defending champions Mona Campus once again claimed the overall title, the performance of the Antigua and Barbuda-based Five Islands Campus stood out as one of the notable stories of the tournament.

Five Islands secured bronze medals in men’s basketball, men’s football and women’s volleyball, finishing ahead of the Global Campus and establishing itself as a competitive presence among the university’s campuses.

Mona Campus retained the challenge trophy after dominating several disciplines, including cricket, table tennis, tennis and track and field. The Jamaican campus also captured gold medals in women’s football, women’s basketball and men’s volleyball. Mona finished atop the standings with seven gold medals, five silver and two bronze medals for a total of 136 points.

Host campus St. Augustine secured second place with 114 points after collecting four gold, four silver and five bronze medals. The Trinidad-based campus won gold in swimming, men’s basketball, football and hockey.

Cave Hill Campus finished third overall with 108 points, earning three gold, five silver and four bronze medals. The Barbados-based Blackbirds claimed gold medals in women’s netball, hockey and volleyball.

The Global Campus fielded its largest-ever UWI Games contingent and finished fifth with 22 points. Imani Edwards Taylor was named the Most Valuable Player in table tennis.

The closing ceremony at the Sport and Physical Education Centre (SPEC) celebrated both athletic excellence and Caribbean unity. Athletes viewed highlight reels from the week-long competition, participated in a celebratory walk and gathered for a medal presentation and awards ceremony.

Addressing participants, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the St. Augustine Campus, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, urged student-athletes to embrace the values learned through sport.

Recognising the lessons of “honour, courage, fairness, reliability and discipline,” she encouraged participants to “play sports, not games,” adding that success in sport comes only through merit, hard work and discipline.

Professor Antoine also described the Games as a powerful expression of regional integration.

“We come from different territories, campuses and cultures, we are part of one extraordinary region,” she said, encouraging students to build stronger connections across the Caribbean and continue valuing one another beyond the competition.

She also thanked the many volunteers, organisers, sponsors and participating campuses whose efforts contributed to the successful return of the Games.

Speaking on behalf of Vice-Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles, Mona Campus Principal Professor Densil Williams praised St. Augustine for delivering what he described as “Caribbean hospitality at its best.”

He said the Games provided opportunities for cultural immersion and integration among students from diverse territories and backgrounds. Williams highlighted the popular Caribbean Night celebration and an outreach initiative involving St. Mary’s Home for Children, which he said reinforced students’ sense of social responsibility and contributed to the holistic development of the ideal UWI graduate.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, Senator Emeritus Professor Prakash Persad, also addressed the gathering. Drawing on his experiences as a former school cricketer and martial arts practitioner, he described the Games as being about much more than winning medals.

“It is about growth, connection, and the pursuit of excellence. It is about building character, accepting losses as well as victories,” Persad said.

“It is not only useful to produce graduates who are good academically but graduates who are physically strong, mentally resilient, emotionally balanced and socially aware.”

He also encouraged the introduction of martial arts to future editions of the Games and urged students to participate in sporting activities as part of their personal development.

The ceremony concluded with the official handover to the Cave Hill Campus, which will host the next UWI Games in 2028. Deputy Campus Principal Professor Winston Moore accepted the ceremonial baton from St. Augustine Deputy Principal Professor Derek Chadee, signalling the start of preparations for the next regional competition.

The closing celebrations continued with cultural performances, music and an open-air reception, bringing an end to a tournament that showcased athletic achievement, regional camaraderie and the growing presence of the Five Islands Campus within The University of the West Indies system.

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