Budget Boost for Sport as Sports Centre Secures Millions
IslandStats.com
Bermuda's sporting landscape is set for a significant financial injection following the delivery of the 2026 Budget by Premier and Minister of Finance David Burt. Speaking in the House of Assembly, the Premier unveiled a fiscal plan that prioritizes both elite athletic development and the modernization of the island's premier sporting facilities.
The Ministry of Tourism, Transport, Culture & Sport has seen its allocation rise to $109.1 million, representing a seven percent increase from the previous year. Within this envelope, the Department of Sport and Recreation receives a targeted boost of $759,000 to its operating budget. A substantial portion of this funding, some $560,000, is earmarked for the maintenance and operation of Government Golf Courses, ensuring the island's greens remain in championship condition.
Crucially, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to the island's top-tier talent, with over $2 million allocated to support national sporting bodies and elite athletes. Beyond the athletes themselves, the infrastructure they rely on is also set for a major overhaul.
The National Sports Centre has been granted $2.5 million in capital funding to address a backlog of critical improvements. The comprehensive works package includes:
Completion of long-awaited repairs to the grandstand roof. Extensive maintenance and cleaning of the aquatic facilities. Asphalting of the main parking area to improve accessibility. A major upgrade to the North Field lighting system, enhancing the venue's capacity for evening events.
The budget also maintains its focus on grassroots development through the Camp Connect initiative. The program is set to provide approximately 4,000 summer day camp spaces, offering vital support to parents and ensuring school-age children remain active during the summer break. With this increased investment, the government aims to solidify Bermuda's position as a regional hub for sporting excellence and community engagement.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Bermuda Under 20 Men's National Team Announced
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Football Association (BFA) announced the team that will represent Bermuda in the Concacaf Men’s Under 20 Qualifiers that will be held in Costa Rica.
Bermuda will match up against Costa Rica, Barbados, Sint Maarten, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Bermuda Men’s Under 20 roster is:
GOALKEEPERS:
David Martin Daniel Powell Curtis Jackson Jr.
DEFENDERS:
Nayan Grant Emeer Peets Dakari Smith-Davis Logan Jimenez Michari Tear-De Leon D’ari Coddington
MIDFIELDERS:
Khari Sharrieff Blayze Borgesson Malachai Belboda James Morrison Qur'an Raynor
Head Coach Cecoy Robinson has this to say about the Qualifiers: “The international competitions for Bermuda are now a frequent and regular part of the football calendar.This creates challenges, but is overwhelmingly positive for the growth of the BermudaNational team program. We have been drawn in Group E that includes hosts Costa Rica,Barbados, Sint Maarten, and Trinidad and Tobago. There are many quality players in this age group, and selecting a team was a welcome headache. I am excited to lead this group,and we expect to do Bermuda proud.”
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Robinson Eyes Upset as Bermuda Prepare for Costa Rica
IslandStats.com
We are just twelve days away from a momentous occasion for Bermudian football as the Women's National Team prepares to host Costa Rica at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium. Concacaf has confirmed the venues and kickoff times for the upcoming W Qualifiers window, which marks the second of three critical FIFA Women’s International Match Windows running through April 2026.
This qualifying stage serves as the preliminary path to the 2026 Concacaf W Championship, and the stakes could not be higher in Group C. Bermuda currently finds itself in a three-way tie for first place alongside Guatemala and Costa Rica, with all three nations sitting on three points. While Bermuda has played two matches—opening with a dominant 4–0 win over the Cayman Islands before suffering a 4–1 defeat to Guatemala—their opponents have only taken to the field once. Costa Rica enters the match having secured a narrow 2–1 victory on the road against Grenada.
Head coach Naquita Robinson has expressed strong optimism ahead of the March 3rd showdown, noting that her squad is in an excellent "head space" and fully grasps the magnitude of the performance required. To counter a formidable Costa Rican side, the coaching staff is implementing specific tactical adjustments designed to bolster both offensive and defensive transitions. After an intensive study of video footage from their opponents' previous matches, Robinson emphasized that success will hinge on the energy and "fight" her players bring to the pitch.
In a significant shift from their usual routine, Bermuda will begin a week-long training camp starting next week. Robinson believes this extended period of preparation is vital for ensuring tactical alignment and peak physical performance. For the coach, testing her side against top-tier opposition like Costa Rica is the only way to facilitate long-term growth, viewing the experience gained in these high-pressure environments as invaluable for the future of the national program.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Bermuda Faces Ultimate Test in Concacaf U-17 Finals
IslandStats.com
Concacaf has conducted the official draw for the final round of the 2026 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown in Central America. This critical second and final stage, which determines the path to the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026, is scheduled to take place at the headquarters of the Costa Rican Football Federation in San Rafael, Alajuela, from March 17 to March 22, 2026.
The final round will be played in a group format, with 12 participants split into three pools of four. Bermuda has been drawn into a formidable Group B, where they will face the United States, Puerto Rico, and Haiti. The stakes are remarkably high, as only the three group winners and the best overall second-place finisher will secure their tickets to the World Cup in Morocco later this year.
Gary Adams, the head coach of the Bermuda Under-17 Women’s National Team, remains pragmatic yet ambitious following the draw. Acknowledging the mountain his side must climb, Adams described facing top-ranked competition like the United States and fourth-ranked Puerto Rico as a massive challenge that should not be sugarcoated. Despite the daunting opposition, he views these matches as a vital opportunity for his squad to learn and develop, urging his players to enter the tournament without fear while remaining realistic about the elite level of competition.
To ensure the squad is prepared for the rigorous conditions in Costa Rica, Adams is finalizing plans for a week-long training camp beginning on March 10. With around 60 percent of the team currently based on the island, the primary focus will be on acclimatizing to the Central American heat, which often reaches the mid-80s during March. Whether the camp is held in the United States or directly in Costa Rica, Adams is determined to maximize the team's limited time together to fine-tune performances and build on their successful Round One campaign.
Bermuda's Final Round Schedule:
March 17th: Bermuda vs. United States March 19th: Bermuda vs. Puerto Rico March 22nd: Bermuda vs. Haiti
istatsint260218.jpg
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Bermuda Set for Crucial Concacaf U-20 Qualifiers
IslandStats.com
Concacaf has officially announced the key details for the 2026 Concacaf Under-20 Qualifiers, which serve as the direct pathway to the summer's Under-20 Championship. With the tournament just a week away, Bermuda’s young Gombey Warriors are preparing to face a gauntlet of regional rivals from February 23rd to March 4th, 2026.
The qualifying competition will be contested among member associations ranked between 7 and 41, with round-robin group play held across three host nations: Costa Rica, Curaçao, and Nicaragua.
Only the six group winners will advance to the final 12-team Championship, joining pre-qualified heavyweights like the United States, Mexico, and Panama.
Bermuda has been drawn into Group E, a challenging pool that will see all matches held at the Complejo Deportivo FCRF-Plycem in San Rafael de Alajuela, Costa Rica. The group features a mix of Caribbean powerhouses and a formidable Central American host in Costa Rica, who enter as the likely favorites.
Bermuda's Match Schedule: February 24th: Bermuda vs. Trinidad and Tobago (4 pm) February 28th: Bermuda vs. Sint Maarten (1 pm) March 2nd: Bermuda vs. Costa Rica (4 pm) March 4th: Bermuda vs. Barbados (1 pm)
Head Coach Cecoy Robinson expressed strong optimism as the squad nears its final training sessions before flying out this Friday. Robinson highlighted the high level of the environments his players are currently in, suggesting that the group is well-prepared for the intense competition ahead.
"It’s never easy but we have a good group that are in good environments, so we should definitely be competitive," Robinson stated. "We are heading out Friday to complete preparations before our first match, so it will be really good to have everyone. Players are buzzing and feeling up and ready for the task; now it’s about fine-tuning and performances on the day."
The stakes are high for the young Bermudians; the summer's 12-team Championship also serves as the qualifying route for the 2027 FIFA Men’s Under-20 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.
