An issue between the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) and the Bermuda Athletic Association (BAA) has resulted in the BAA unilaterally withdrawing the Goose Gosling Field (GGF) as a BFA senior football venue.
The decision, confirmed by BAA President Michael McGrath, comes after a series of communications regarding field safety and a growing unease among BAA staff over violence associated with BFA games.
The BAA has provided a timeline of events that led to the significant loss of a key venue for the island’s domestic football calendar:
September 9th (Site Visit) - BFA Competitions Committee requests an inspection of GGF due to reported issues with the field surface and unclear markings. Outcome/BAA Action - BAA President Michael McGrath meets with the BFA, noting ongoing work, the effect of constant rain on the infill, and confirming new nets were on order. He noted surprise that issues were being raised now after the BAA hosted the entire U23 league and cup with no problems.
11:24 a.m. - BFA sends an email to the BAA citing four specific "urgent" concerns, including poor goal net condition, unsecure goalposts (a violation of the Laws of the Game), uneven surfaces, and a "dangerously close" perimeter gate. Outcome/BAA Action - BAA requests clarification on the perimeter gate issue, noting the fence had been in the same position for over 15 years.
2:39 p.m. - BFA sends an official email stating that due to issues at GGF that “must be rectified before any matches can be scheduled,” the Dudley Eve Match Day 5 fixtures scheduled for September 13th were moved to Devonshire Recreation Club (DRC). Outcome/BAA Action - BAA interprets the BFA's statement to mean all identified issues must be rectified before scheduling, leading to the BFA being notified that GGF would be unavailable for the first two weeks of the senior season due to material delays.
First Week of Season - Violence is reported on and off the field, notably at North Village Community Club's Bernards Park. Outcome/BAA Action - The BAA Board holds internal reflections on the rising violence and staff requests not to work BFA games due to feeling unsafe.
Thursday Night (Later Date) - BAA President emails BFA Executive to confirm the club's board decision. BAA formally withdraws GGF as a BFA senior football venue at this time, citing player and spectator safety, community violence, and staff apprehension.
Mr. McGrath also questioned the BFA's priorities, highlighting the difference in standards applied to GGF versus other venues: "It is also strange that the BFA wouldn't sanction games at BAA due to player safety yet were happy to play at NVCC's Bernards Park at the beginning of the season when there were holes in the pitch and surrounding area which a player's foot went down and snapped his leg requiring him to have surgery.”
Click Here to see the Full BAA President Michael McGrath’s Time Frame of Events
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