Bermuda Joins Pickleball World Cup Opening Ceremony
IslandStats.com
The countdown is officially over. The inaugural Pickleball World Cup was launched with a vibrant and celebratory Opening Ceremony at the impressive Broward County Cricket Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The stadium was a kaleidoscope of colour and energy as teams from around the globe gathered to mark the start of the prestigious tournament.
The ceremony was a true celebration of international unity, passion, and, of course, the rapidly expanding sport of pickleball. Teams marched proudly around the venue, displaying their national colours and flags to an enthusiastic crowd.
Among the countries participating in the grand parade was Bermuda, with the delegation walking with pride as they raised the Bermudian flag high. Their presence underlines the growing worldwide appeal of pickleball, which has seen participation rates surge across the Atlantic island.
"To see the world gathered here, with so many countries represented, really highlights how far pickleball has come," commented one of the organizers during the procession. "This is a moment of history for the sport."
The Opening Ceremony concluded with a spectacular display, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense and captivating week of competition.
With the formalities concluded, attention now turns to the courts, where the best pickleball players in the world will compete for the sport's first major global title.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Bermuda Joins Record Field as Pickleball World Cup Expands
IslandStats.com
The rapid global growth of pickleball has been vividly highlighted by the evolution of the Pickleball World Cup, an event conceived by siblings Hercilio and Miranda Cabieses just two years ago.
What started as the experimental 'Pilot Cup' in 2023 with just 14 countries, quickly scaled up in 2024 to become the first official Pickleball World Cup in Lima, Peru, attracting 32 delegations and confirming the sport’s international appeal.
This year marks a massive step forward for the tournament. The 2025 event will be held in the United States for the first time, taking place at The Fort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from October 27th to November 2nd.
The numbers demonstrate the sport's explosive expansion: organisers expect 68 nations to compete in the Open division, 52 countries in the Senior division, and nearly ten countries fielding teams in a new Junior division.
The exciting team format continues to showcase pickleball's potential as a genuine international sport.
The Pickleball Association of Bermuda confirmed its participation, announcing a strong contingent ready to compete on the world stage.
The Open Elite Women’s team features Imani Phillips, Melisa Judd, Patricia Mills, and Naphisa Smith, while the Men’s team includes Gavin Manders, Ben Jones, Jamie Stowe, Tom Mills, and Mical Russell.
Bermuda will also be represented in the Senior Division. The Women's team comprises Tori Powell, Val Stevenson, Laverne Stowe, and Samantha Todd, with the Men's team consisting of Courtland Boyle, Mark Cordiero, Matt Dragonetti, and Ryon Outerbridge.
The presence of Bermuda's teams highlights the island’s commitment to growing the sport as it solidifies its place on the international calendar.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Jordan-Whitter's UNE Women's Tennis Clinches Playoff Spot
IslandStats.com
The University of New England (UNE) women’s tennis team, under the guidance of Bermudian coach Jovan Jordan-Whitter, has secured a playoff berth in their inaugural season following a crucial victory over Western New England University (WNE).
The Nor’easters battled hard in a Conference of New England (CNE) contest at the Forest Park Tennis Courts, ultimately prevailing 5-2 to lock up one of the six highly coveted spots in the CNE Championship bracket.
The victory was sealed through a display of impressive nerve and resilience in the singles matches.
With the overall match finely poised, it was the performances of Zoe Lambke and Sydney Pelletier that proved decisive. Both players secured crucial third-set victories in their respective singles clashes to push UNE over the line for the 5-2 team triumph.
The result is a major success for the nascent programme, demonstrating the immediate impact of the team and Coach Jordan-Whitter, the former Bermuda Davis Cup player.
In what is their first season of competition, the UNE women’s tennis team now has two outings remaining in the regular season before the CNE Championship tournament begins in just ten days. Their place in the post-season bracket is a testament to an excellent debut campaign.
Monday, October 20, 2025
McBrearty Wins U14 Tournament in Thrilling Florida Final
IslandStats.com
Bermuda's rising tennis star, Chloe McBrearty, showcased her talent and fighting spirit by claiming the title at the USTA, Level 6: Halloween Howler U14 tournament in Tampa, Florida.
Although ranked number one in Bermuda for both the Girls Under 12 and Under 14 Divisions, the 12-year-old was eager for a major challenge and opted to compete exclusively in the older Under 14 category.
McBrearty’s nerve was truly tested in the final match, which proved to be a thrilling, seesaw battle.
After losing the first set with a score of 6-4, the young Bermudian found her rhythm in the second. She dominated her opponent to take the set convincingly at 6-1, forcing the match into a decisive 10-point tie-break.
The final tie-break was a nail-biter, extending well past the 10-point mark. Displaying remarkable composure under pressure, McBrearty edged out her older opponent, claiming the tie-break 14-12 to seal the comeback and win the championship title.
The victory marks a significant achievement in McBrearty's young career, demonstrating her readiness to compete and succeed at a higher age group level on the international circuit.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
College Tennis Shorthanded UNE Fall to Colby-Sawyer
IslandStats.com
The University of New England (UNE) women’s tennis team, coached by Bermudian Jovan Jordan-Whitter, suffered a 7-0 defeat to Colby-Sawyer College in Conference of New England (CNE) action.
The loss marks Colby-Sawyer’s fifth straight win, but the result for New England was impacted by a shorthanded lineup, which forced several players to compete above their regular positions at the Kelsey Courts.
New England’s doubles pairing of Nora Hill and Andie Lamontagne secured the only game of the doubles round for the visitors at the number one spot.
In singles play, Zoe Lambke put up the strongest fight, capturing a team-best four games in her match at the number four position.
Despite the setback, UNE remains competitive in the CNE standings.
