The Bermuda Football Association (BFA) announced that Portland Hearts of Pine will return to Bermuda.
The USL League One club visited Bermuda last year for two preseason friendlies against Khano Smith’s Rhode Island FC and a Bermuda select. This year, they will play two matches against a Bermuda select comprising of Bermuda players based in the domestic leagues and overseas.
The Bermuda senior coaching staff continues to focus on identifying and evaluating all potential players for future selection to the senior men’s national team program, regardless of their location. Domestic-based players such as Dante’ Leverock, Zeiko Lewis, Enrique Russell, and Lejuan Simmons are examples of players who continue to be important pieces to the senior men’s national team program. Other local players, such as Jorj Dublin, Julian Carpenter, and Daniel Cook, are working to establish themselves in the squad.
The friendlies against American USL teams have proven to be fertile ground for new senior team players. Harry Twite, having tasted football with the senior squad two years ago, has gone on to establish himself as a regular in the Senior Men’s National team.
Coach Findlay added, “This minicamp and matches are valuable opportunities for us to meet several objectives within our program. This includes providing our established domestic-based players an opportunity to get valuable training and match time against quality opposition, and for those who are on our domestic target list, an opportunity to be evaluated within the environment. We get the chance to work closer with them and see them in a competitive match environment, such as the two matches against Portland Hearts of Pine”.
The Bermuda Select will play two matches against Portland. The first match will kick off at 7 pm on February 5th. The second will start at 2 pm on Sunday, February 8th. Both matches will take place at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium. Come out and get a glimpse of the future as players look to establish themselves in the senior men’s team for the Nations League that will begin in September.
Coach Findlay concluded: “It provides our Bermuda football fans the opportunity to see our players compete against a professional level of competition”.
Monday, January 19, 2026
Smith Graduates from Elite Caribbean Referee Course
IslandStats.com
Bermudian match official Sar Smith is among twenty-four promising referees who have successfully completed the 2026 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Next Generation Referee Course in St. Kitts.
The intensive three-day programme, held at the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association’s (SKNFA) technical base, brought together the region’s emerging talent for a series of high-level physical and technical assessments. Smith, representing the Bermuda Football Association, was one of twenty-four officials from fifteen Member Associations selected for the prestigious course, which serves as a vital stepping stone toward the FIFA International Referees List.
The curriculum, led by a faculty of FIFA and Concacaf instructors including Kelesha Antoine and Dianne Ferreira-James, focused on match management, the latest interpretations of the Laws of the Game, and elite-level fitness. For Smith, the successful completion of the in-person module in Basseterre marks the beginning of a long-term development pathway.
The "Next Gen" initiative, launched in 2022, is designed to identify and nurture officials who demonstrate the potential to transition to the international stage within two years. Following the conclusion of the practical sessions in St. Kitts, Smith and his fellow graduates will now transition to a bespoke online mentorship programme.
Those who continue to meet the rigorous performance benchmarks will be rewarded with appointments to the CFU Under-14 Challenge Series later this year, where they will be evaluated in live international match conditions.
Head of Referees for the Bermuda Football Association Crensten Williams said, “Sar Smith’s selection to the Caribbean Football Union referees seminar is a tremendous achievement, especially at just 18 years old. Being only the second Bermudian center referee to attend this course speaks volumes about Sar’s dedication and potential. We hope this milestone inspires other young people to take up officiating, as it clearly shows that there are real pathways for growth and international recognition. This opportunity bodes very well for the continued development of our refereeing program in Bermuda.”
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Archers Set Sights on Pennsylvania Indoor Double-Header
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s top archery talents are finalizing their preparations for a high-stakes trip to the United States, as they gear up for back-to-back international competitions in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
A five-strong contingent of athletes, led by head coach Ross Roberts, will travel to the world-renowned Spooky Nook Sports Complex to test their mettle at the 2026 Lancaster Archery Classic and the Easton Youth & Collegiate Trophy Tournament.
The events, which run from January 21st to 25th, represent the opening international fixtures of the 2026 indoor season for the Bermuda Archery team.
The Lancaster Archery Classic is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious indoor tournaments on the global calendar, drawing thousands of archers to its unique 18-metre format.
Bermuda will be represented in the highly competitive Men’s Olympic Recurve Division by:
Camerin Pickering Jamie Fraser
Both athletes will face a rigorous qualification round of 60 arrows, where "inner X" rings are scored as 11 points—meaning a perfect score of 660 is up for grabs. The top qualifiers will then progress to a dramatic head-to-head "Shoot-Up" finale, where the pressure of the spotlight and a raucous crowd becomes the ultimate test.
While the senior athletes tackle the Classic, Bermuda’s emerging stars will focus their efforts on the Easton Youth & Collegiate Trophy Tournament.
Elektra Smith is set to compete in the Women’s 18-20 (Junior) division, a key category for those looking to transition into the senior elite ranks.
Braeden Fraser will feature in the Cub Male Recurve (13-14) division, gaining vital experience on the international stage.
The youth tournament follows a similar 60-arrow qualification format, providing these younger athletes with a platform to showcase their development against some of the best talent on the US East Coast.
The trip is not solely about competition. Jaydon Roberts will also travel with the squad, utilizing the world-class facilities at the Lancaster Archery Academy for an intensive training block.
Under the watchful eye of Coach Ross Roberts, the team will look to sharpen their technique and mental fortitude ahead of a busy 2026 schedule. The head coach has previously highlighted the importance of these events for gauging international standing early in the year.
Friday, January 16, 2026
Smith Attends CFU Next Generation Referee Course
IslandStats.com
Twenty-four match officials representing 15 Member Associations including Sar Smith from Bermuda will sharpen their skills during the 2026 edition of the CFU Next Generation Referee Course, to be held in St. Kitts from January 16th – 18th, 2026.
The intensive three-day program focuses on technical proficiency, physical fitness, and personal development. Delivery will be led by FIFA Fitness Refereeing Instructor and CFU Referees Committee Member Kelesha Antoine; FIFA Technical Instructor Dianne Ferreira-James; Concacaf Technical Instructor Ishan Philip; and Concacaf Fitness Instructor Rohan Thobourne. Dave Meikle, CFU Committee Member, serves as Course Administrator.
Following the in-person introductory module, training transitions to an online format, with instructors designing a bespoke training and mentorship program for participants. Those who demonstrate excellence will earn appointments to the CFU U-14 Challenge Series, at which point in-person training resumes.
Launched in 2022, Next Gen, as it is commonly called, was established to strengthen referee development across the Caribbean. It targets high-performing match officials within Member Associations who meet the prerequisites for progression to the FIFA International Referees List. The tripartite initiative is supported by CFU Member Associations and Concacaf.
Head of Refereeing at the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association, Graeme Browne, welcomed the opportunity to contribute to regional referee development.
“During our most recent referee recruitment drive, we branded the initiative ‘Finding the Next Generation of Soccer Referees.’ What began as a local effort has evolved into a regional partnership, as the SKNFA and its Refereeing Department proudly join the CFU in developing the next generation of referees,” Browne said.
“On behalf of the SKNFA, and in my capacity as Head of Refereeing, I am delighted to welcome our young male and female referees to St. Kitts and Nevis for the 2026 CFU Next Gen Referee Course. This program represents the future of officiating, not only for your respective countries, but for the CFU region as a whole,” Browne added.
“Hosting this course underscores our commitment to developing the next generation of match officials. It will equip participants with the tools, guidance, and mentorship necessary to become confident, knowledgeable, and professional referees. We are confident that their time here will be both educational and inspiring, and that it will play a meaningful role in their continued development.”
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Bermuda Under-17 Women Ready for Home Soil Battle
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Football Association (BFA) has officially unveiled the 21-player squad set to carry the island’s hopes in the upcoming Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers.
Bermuda will host the high-stakes Group B fixtures at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium, where they will face off against Panama, Suriname, and Bonaire. The group was originally a five-team pool, but the withdrawal of St. Kitts and Nevis leaves four nations to battle for a spot in the Championship round.
Head coach Gary Adams expressed his confidence in the squad’s balance, highlighting the mix of local and overseas-based talent. Many of the selected players are no strangers to the international stage, having gained vital experience in last year’s Concacaf Championship.
"I am very excited and look forward to leading this group through the first round of World Cup Qualifiers," Adams said. "The new structure, which sees an under-17 World Cup every year, is both challenging and exciting. We aim to repeat our success of qualifying for the Championship Round with the ultimate goal of the World Cup later this year in Morocco."
The qualifiers represent the first step on the road to the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco.
Bermuda will look to utilize home-field advantage to secure the top spot in the group, as only the group winners and the best runners-up will advance to the final qualifying phase.
The Bermuda Under 17 Women’s National Team Roster is:
