Olympian and Commonwealth Games record holder Clarance “Nick” Saunders has joined the Bermuda Olympic Association as Secretary General, replacing the retiring Branwen Smith-King.
Saunders, who represented Bermuda in high jump at the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympics and holds the Commonwealth Games high jump record of 2.36 meters from his 1990 Gold Medal performance in Auckland, returned to reside in Bermuda in 2025.
With a wealth of sporting experience, coupled with a career in insurance plus an education in law, Nick brings to the BOA the broad skill set required for the Secretary General position, as exemplified by his predecessor, Branwen Smith-King.
Saunders commented on his appointment “I’m honored to serve as Secretary General of the Bermuda Olympic Association and give back to the sporting community that shaped my life. I look forward to helping Bermuda’s athletes access the support and opportunities they need to succeed.”
BOA President Peter Dunne noted “We are fortunate to have had several highly qualified applicants for the position, and Nick was a standout in a field of excellence. He is enthusiastic in his approach to working with our member federations to help them deliver the best possible programs for their athletes. His own experiences as an elite athlete can help the BOA continue to act with the interests of athletes first in the framework of the Olympic movement.
The retirement of Smith-King comes after six years of growth for the BOA under her leadership as Secretary General. Dunne commented “We knew that filling Branwen’s shoes was always going to be a difficult task as she has brought a high level of sport administration process to our organization as well as her enthusiasm for sport and athletes. Her impact on the BOA and the sporting landscape of Bermuda has been tremendous and always professionally delivered. I’m sure that all our member federations appreciate Branwen’s contributions and the passion she brought to her role at the BOA”.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Historic 191-nation FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival set for Baku
IslandStats.com
World football’s governing body will break new ground next month when Baku hosts the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026, bringing together an unprecedented 191 member associations.
The nine-day tournament kicks off on October 22nd and runs through to the finals on October 30th in Azerbaijan’s capital.
Designed to provide meaningful international competition for developing nations that rarely qualify for traditional major tournaments, the festival offers global benchmarking opportunities for emerging players, coaches, and technical staff worldwide.
The competition will adopt an innovative eight-a-side (8v8) format, played across two 20-minute halves.
Nearly 1,000 matches will be staged throughout the competition window. The newly built Hovsan Competition Complex will serve as the tournament's primary hub, featuring infrastructure capable of hosting 20 simultaneous matches, with each pitch accommodating up to 10 fixtures per day.The prestigious Baku Crystal Hall will then take centre stage to host the tier finals on the final day.
Teams will progress through a two-tiered competitive model to ensure competitive balance and maximize playing time:
Qualification Stage: Nations will be placed into groups emphasizing diverse regional and sporting representation, competing in a round-robin schedule of four to five matches.
Tournament Stage: Based on group stage results, teams will be placed into tiered knockout and placement brackets, guaranteeing each squad an additional four to five fixtures against closely matched opposition.
By guaranteeing eight to ten international matches per nation, FIFA aims to close the competitive development gap and offer a global launchpad for the next generation of footballing talent.
Bermudian assistant referee Clinton Hayward played a central role on the touchline as the Dominican Republic produced a spirited comeback to defeat Trinidad & Tobago 2-1 in their Concacaf Nations League Group A clash at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
FIFA-listed official Hayward was part of the officiating team overseeing the high-stakes encounter in Port of Spain, which concluded Sunday's round of fixtures in dramatic fashion.
The hosts broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion eight minutes before the interval. Midfielder Daniel Phillips sent the home crowd into raptures in the 37th minute, unleashing an emphatic right-footed drive from the edge of the penalty area that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
However, the Soca Warriors' lead was short-lived.
The Dominican Republic struck back in the 42nd minute courtesy of Heinz Mörschel. Picking up the ball from distance, Mörschel hammered a swerving long-range effort with his right boot to haul Los Quisqueyanos level just before half-time.
Carrying that momentum into the second half, the visitors completed the turnaround five minutes after the restart. Former Real Madrid forward Mariano Díaz found space inside the box and slotted a clinical right-footed finish into the net in the 50th minute to hand his side the lead.
Despite persistent pressure from Trinidad & Tobago in the closing stages, the Dominican Republic backline held firm to claim all three points away from home.
Monday, September 28, 2026
Concacaf Nations League Saint Lucia overpower Bermuda
IslandStats.com
Saint Lucia 5 Bermuda 2
Kegan Caull produced a devastating first-half hat-trick as Saint Lucia condemned Bermuda to an emphatic 5-2 defeat in their Concacaf Nations League meeting at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.
Saint Lucia Starting Line-Up: - V. Barclett, T. Thomas, D. Lionel, M. Doxilly, K. Frederick, A. Jude-Boyd (D. Edwards 80th), A. Louis, S. Nelson, K. Caull (Y. Noel 80th), S. Byron (G. Reggie 80th), C. Elva - Substitutes: - D. St. Prix, D. Donaie, M. St. Romain, L. Joseph, D. Augustin, B. Sandiford, B. Edward, A. Hippolyte, G. President, - Bermuda Starting Line-Up: - Milai Perott, Deniche Hill, Harry Twite, Emeer Peets, Justin Donawa, Brighton Morrison (Sincere Hall 46th), Ne-Jai Tucker, Nahki Wells (London Steede-Jackson 91st), Ajani Burchall (Blayz Borgesson 74th), Enrique Russell (Elisha Darrell 74th), Zeiko Lewis (Riley Robinson 65th) - Substitutes: - Jahquil Hill, Coleridge Fubler, Deigo Richardson, Caleb McDowall, Djair Parfitt, Luke Robinson,
Caull set the tone early in Gros Islet, breaking the deadlock after 15 minutes by rising highest to plant a firm header into the net from a corner. The Bermudian backline had barely regrouped before Caull struck again three minutes later, finishing smartly to double the advantage.
The forward completed a ruthless 20-minute treble in the 35th minute, punishing defensive frailties to put the hosts three goals to the good.
Bermuda salvaged a lifeline on the stroke of half-time when Ajani Burchall found space in stoppage time to steer a header past Vino Barclett, giving the visitors slight encouragement heading into the interval at 3-1.
Any hopes of an improbable Bermuda turnaround were quickly extinguished early in the second half. Shevon Byron restored Saint Lucia's three-goal cushion in the 53rd minute with a neat finish, before veteran defender Kurt Frederick made it 5-1 in the 68th minute to put the result completely beyond doubt.
Substitute Riley Robinson pulled a consolation goal back for Bermuda two minutes later, finishing well just five minutes after being introduced from the bench.
However, Saint Lucia closed out the final 20 minutes with composure to seal all three points in comprehensive fashion.
Monday, September 28, 2026
Youth Olympics Team 2026 Announced
Gianluca Bortoli
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) announced Team Bermuda for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, taking place in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31st to November 13th, 2026.
Four athletes will represent Bermuda in three sports: athletics, swimming and triathlon.
In Dakar they will compete against the best athletes in their age group from around the world. Selection was highly competitive, and the BOA is extremely proud of these young athletes, who will wear Bermuda's colors on the international stage.
The delegation will be led by Chef de Mission Ashley Yearwood, who will oversee the team throughout the Games, working alongside Games management in Dakar to support the athletes across all three sports.
Team Bermuda Athletics - Tatiana Sousa Swimming - Maggie Mewett and Noah Maranzana Triathlon - Gianluca Bortoli Coaches Terry-Lynn Paynter, Geri Mewett, Michael Harlow
Ashley Yearwood said: “As Chef de Mission for Team Bermuda, I am honored to travel to Dakar, Senegal, to support and lead our young Bermudian athletes as they represent our island at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. This is a truly historic edition of the Youth Olympic Games—the first Olympic sporting event to be held on African soil—and it provides a wonderful opportunity for our athletes to compete, learn, build friendships and experience the rich culture and hospitality of Senegal.”
“I am both honoured and grateful for the opportunity to represent Bermuda at the Youth Olympic games. When starting Javelin, I never dreamed I would get to compete at such a high level. But now that I am, I will make every effort to implement technique and utilise the strength I have built up this off-season,” noted Tatiana Sousa.
Triathlete Gianluca Bortoli said: “I am excited to have been selected to compete at the Youth Olympic Games. Competing at these Games has been a goal of mine for the last two years, and to earn selection after racing against Bermuda’s and the region’s top juniors makes this a special accomplishment for me. It will be an incredible experience to compete at such a high-level event, and I hope it will be a huge development opportunity.”
“Representing Bermuda in any meet is an honor and a privilege, one far greater than any experience before, but to do so on the world stage at the Youth Olympic Games is unreal. I am beyond excited to be able to compete and represent my country in the YOG and do my best in every event I do,” as described by swimmer Noah Maraganza.
Teammate Maggie Mewett stated. “Competing at the Youth Olympics is an incredible honor and I’m so proud to have the opportunity to represent Bermuda on an international stage. I’ve worked really hard to get to this point and I’m excited to see that hard work pays off while competing alongside some of the best young athletes from around the world. I hope to make Bermuda proud and enjoy every moment of this amazing experience!”
“The Youth Olympic Games are a vital steppingstone for our most promising young athletes,” said BOA President Peter Dunne. “Tatiana, Maggie, Noah and Gianluca have earned their places through hard work and commitment, and they carry the pride of the whole island with them. We also thank the coaches, families and national federations whose support has brought them to this point. We know they will represent Bermuda with distinction in Dakar.”
