YOUTH ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT – Ms. Philisha
Burnette
Philisha Burnette is a determined and passionate volleyball player from Antigua and Barbuda
who refuses to let limitations define her potential. At 5’3”, she has often been underestimated
in a sport where height is heavily emphasized, yet she has transformed that challenge into
motivation. Her journey reflects the belief that skill, discipline, and relentless work ethic are just
as powerful as physical stature.
A proud member of the Antigua & Barbuda Amateur Volleyball Association (ABAVA), Philisha
began her competitive volleyball career in 2023 with Jets Volleyball Club as a libero. Her
exceptional defensive instincts, court awareness, and tireless work rate quickly distinguished
her on the court. In 2024, she joined Chargers Volleyball Club and embraced a new
challenge—transitioning from libero to outside hitter. With confidence and determination, she
continues to develop into a versatile and fearless attacker.
Philisha has proudly represented Antigua and Barbuda on several regional and international
stages. In 2023, she competed as a libero at the ECVA U23 Women’s Volleyball Championship in
Dominica. She later represented her country at the 2025 NORCECA U18 Women’s Beach
Volleyball World Championship Qualifier in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic, where she and her
partner placed 12th out of 14 teams. In September 2025, Philisha again donned national colors
as an outside hitter at the ECVA Final Four Women’s Championship, helping her team secure a
commendable third-place finish.
Her dedication to excellence extends beyond competition. In May 2025, while participating in
the UWI Games, held for the very first time in Antigua and Barbuda, Ms. Burnette was named
one of only two recipients of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus
scholarships. Awarded in collaboration with the Antigua and Barbuda Amateur Volleyball
Association (ABAVA), the scholarship underscores a shared commitment to creating academic
pathways for athletes through sports, ensuring that sporting ambition is matched with
educational opportunity.
Off the court, Philisha is equally driven. She is currently enrolled in the International
Baccalaureate (IB) Programme at Island Academy and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in
Sports Kinetics at the University of the West Indies. Aspiring to become a physiotherapist, she
hopes to continue giving back to sport by supporting athletes in performance, recovery, and
long-term well-being.
Philisha’s ultimate goal is to compete on the world’s biggest stages while representing Antigua
and Barbuda—and the wider Caribbean—with pride. Beyond her own success, she is motivated
by a desire to inspire others, particularly athletes from small islands and those who may not fit
the “typical” mold, to pursue their dreams with confidence and courage. Her story is a powerful
reminder that effort, belief, and heart can carry you further than limitations ever could.
