Deputy Commissioner of Sports Joel Rayne has warned that poor performance in mathematics is costing student athletes in Antigua and Barbuda opportunities for US college scholarships.

Speaking at the School Sports Collaboration Meeting on Tuesday at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, Rayne said too many athletes are falling short of the NCAA Clearinghouse requirements, particularly the three years of higher-level maths beginning with Algebra 1.

“The NCAA Clearinghouse or Eligibility Center is the gateway to Division 1 and Division 2 opportunities. Without passing through it, no student athlete can compete or receive an athletic scholarship,” he said, adding that many are disqualified before they can showcase their talent.

Rayne noted that students must pass five CSEC subjects—Maths, English, Science, Social Science and/or Religion or a Foreign Language—along with 16 core courses, a minimum GPA and standardised tests such as the SAT or ACT.

He called on principals and education officials to step up support, urging earlier identification of potential athletes, stronger maths tutoring, alignment of school curricula with NCAA requirements, and closer cooperation between parents, teachers and coaches.