The England cricket team will be playing One Day Internationals in Antigua on 28 February, 02 and 05 March 2014.

In Antigua the game of cricket is a religion with games being played all over the island from the beaches and village greens to international matches at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium. Visitors should make the most of a visit to Antigua and Barbuda and sample the Island's cricket culture first hand as a spectator, soaking up the excitement that surrounds the game. Young aspiring cricketers can have the opportunity to be trained by one of the West Indies cricketing legends at Richie Richardson's Cricket Academy (www.richierichardsoncricketacademy.com).  However, cricket is not the only sport to get involved in. 

Known as the 'Sailing Capital of the Caribbean' Sailing is one of the island's other main sporting attractions  with those that missed Antigua Sailing Week at the beginning of the month (www.sailingweek.com - 2014 dates: 26 April - 02 May) able to make up for it with a visit to Antigua for the Caribbean Dinghy Championship (www.caribbean-sailing.com) from 15-17 November 2013 with categories from under 12's to open classes for adults. Other events include Antigua Charter Yacht Show from 06-12 December 2013, a showcase of the world's most magnificent yachts and Nelson's Pursuit Race on 31 December 2013, a festive tradition commemorating Lord Nelson's famous pursuit of the French fleet across the Atlantic in 1805 before the subsequent battle of Trafalgar (www.antiguayachtshow.com). Those interested in improving their sailing should contact the Royal Yachting Association Sailing School Antigua, who offer courses for complete beginners, as well as the more competent yachtsmen who can obtain Certificates of Competence recognised by maritime authorities (www.miramarsailingschool.com). A selection of resorts also offer sailing schools on site. 

Another popular water sport is kite boarding. Antigua's Nonsuch Bay Resort offers expert tuition with kite boarding courses taking place on Green Island Reef Marine Reserve, an uninhabited island ten minutes boat ride from Nonsuch Bay www.nonsuchbayresort.com. Tuition is offered by IKO (International Kite Boarding Organisation) qualified instructors.

Antigua and Barbuda is the perfect destination to enjoy fishing with a number of tournaments on offer including The 6th Annual Francis Nunes Jr. Memorial Fishing Tournament (www.antiguabarbudasportfishing.com) at Nelson's Dockyard on 28 September 2013 and the Barbuda Independence Fishing Tournament on 26-27 October 2013. 

For those looking for sporting activities on dry land, the island's rainforest hiking tours provide both a challenge and spectacular views. Adventure through the rainforest along the historical Walling's Dam or pass the first beach Columbus landed on in Carlisle Bay, hiking with the Environmental Awareness Group (www.eagantigua.org), or the 5 am hikers, a group that hikes every Saturday morning at 5 am, are light hikes that are normally free and open to all.  They offer visitors amazing views of the island only accessible through walking, taking in destinations such as The Pillars of Hercules, a natural rock formation and one of the unique sites in Antigua. 

Those that want to combine sport with their desire to see more of the island can hire mountain bikes or segways and ride effortlessly through the historic sites and landmarks or choose from a variety of operators offering guided kayaking and snorkelling tours around the island (www.antiguaadventures.com).   

Resorts that offer sporting and fitness courses include: Nonsuch Bay's Epic Teen Challenge, Jolly Beach's "Get Into the Beach of It" extreme workout, Carlisle Bay's sailing holidays in conjunction with Ondeck, Curtain Bluff's The Perfect Match tennis camp and wellbeing academy and personal training sessions with Mr Antigua at Sugar Ridge.

For more details on companies offering sports and adventure tours on the island, visit www.visitantiguabarbuda.com.

-ENDS-


For media requests, please contact:
First Public Relations 
Nick Smith/Anna Wolstenholme 
T: 020 8877 4504
E: nick@firstpr.co.uk / anna@firstpr.co.uk 
W: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com. 

Notes to Editors:
High resolution images available on request.

Nonsuch Bay is launching the Epic Teen Challenge exclusively for teenage guests at the resort. The Challenge involves a two mile single-handed sail in a dinghy around Mongoose Island before switching to a kayak or stand-up paddle board to paddle 150 metres and back to a marker buoy in the Bay, then a swim from the beach and back again. Everyone receives a prize for participating with a leader board of the top ten times updated throughout the summer. The challenge will take place once a week from 06 July to 31 August 2013. www.nonsuchbayresort.com

Jolly Beach is offering an extreme workout for guests as part of their "Get Into the Beach of It" fun and fitness program for 2013. The five day program includes the ultimate full-body cardio workout, core conditioning, a 12-mile hike to Antigua's highest point, Mount Obama, and a 10-mile hike to the famous Shirley Heights on the final day, where campers will be rewarded with panoramic views of Antigua. The program launches 25 April 2013. www.jollybeachresort.com 

Carlisle Bay and Ondeck Sailing Course are offering holidays including a Royal Yachting Association qualification for novice sailors. The three day course covers the basics and allows guests to come away with a new level of confidence and grounding from which to pursue more advanced courses. Carrier (0161 492 1354, www.carrier.co.uk) has prices from £2,695 per person based on two adults taking part in the sailing course and sharing a Garden Suite for seven nights, including breakfast, return flights from London Gatwick with British Airways and private transfers. www.carlisle-bay.com. 

Curtain Bluff is running The Perfect Match: Tennis and Wellbeing with Annabel Croft and Andrew Castle where visitors can perfect their strokes from 16-23 November 2013, as well as Zumba and yoga classes on the exercise desk and a relaxing spa treatment. Seven nights at Curtain Bluff for The Perfect Match costs from £3,549 per person based on two adults sharing a Deluxe Room on an all inclusive basis including a variety of island activities, return economy flights and private transfers booked through Caribtours (0207 751 0660, www.caribtours.co.uk). www.curtainbluff.com  

Sugar Ridge is offering personal training sessions with Kennie Jacobs who won the final of Mr Antigua at the end of 2012. Kennie knows everything there is to know about building strength and toning muscles, and guests at Sugar Ridge Resort are able to book personal training classes with Kennie to follow his routine. www.sugarridgeantigua.com