On August 5, the Department of Sport and Recreation hosted the 2026 National Junior Athlete Sponsorship Programme (NJASP) Awards Ceremony, recognizing Bermuda's outstanding junior athletes and coaches while reaffirming the Government's commitment to developing the island's sporting talent.
Acting Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, Senator the Hon. Kim Wilkerson, JP, said, "The National Junior Athlete Sponsorship Programme is an investment in Bermuda's future. These awards recognize the hard work, dedication and potential of our young athletes and coaches, while providing meaningful support to help them pursue excellence. We are proud to invest in the next generation of Bermudian sporting talent."
The NJASP provides financial assistance to promising athletes and coaches to support training, competition and development opportunities. This year's recipients are:
Individual Athlete Awards
Asher Wheddon (Bermuda Football Rugby Union) – $2,620 Surii Russell (Bermuda National Athletics Association) – $3,270 Geraldine Sidders (Bermuda Sanshou Association) – $2,845 Z'Naz Jones (Bermuda Motocross Association) – $3,210 Miguel Power (Bermuda Sailing Association) – $2,324 Marcus Rodrigues (Bermuda Volleyball Association) – $4,268 Isaac Davis (Bermuda Hockey Federation) – $3,435
Coaching Awards
Bermuda Cricket Board (Andre Coley) – $3,000 Bermuda Golf Association (Henry Brunton) – $3,500 Gymnastics Federation of Bermuda (PAGU Coach) – $3,000 Bermuda Triathlon Association (Michael Harlow) – $4,513 Pickleball Association of Bermuda (Armondo Ferreira) – $3,000 Bermuda Football Association (John Moreira) – $3,140 Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association (American Swimming Coaches Association) – $4,250 Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Association (Billy Dunn) – $1,500
The 2026 Flora Duffy Award, valued at $10,000, was presented to Nirobi Smith-Mills of the Bermuda National Athletics Association.
The Department of Sport and Recreation congratulates all recipients and wishes them continued success as they pursue their sporting goals and represent Bermuda with pride.
Saturday, August 08, 2026
Silva Earns Hard-Fought Decision over Christopher
Marío Silva delivered a disciplined and composed performance to claim a decision victory over Tyler Christopher in a hard-fought contest.
From the opening bell, Silva established his rhythm early, utilizing sharp footwork and a measured jab to dictate the range against a resilient Christopher.
Christopher showed plenty of grit throughout the bout, attempting to press forward and land heavy counter-punches in an effort to tilt the momentum in his favor. However, Silva’s defensive awareness and superior work rate allowed him to control the tempo for long stretches.
As the fight progressed into the final rounds, Silva continued to land the cleaner, more effective combinations, frustrating Christopher's efforts to land a decisive blow.
When the final bell sounded, the judges confirmed what had been a tactical masterclass, awarding Silva the victory on the scorecards to hand Christopher a tough setback on the night.
Tuesday, August 04, 2026
Islandstats Cricket Show packed live agenda @ 7 pm
IslandStats.com
The Islandstats.com Cricket Show returns to air this evening at 7:00 pm, featuring an extensive broadcast focused on the upcoming Cup Match showcase alongside key updates on regional youth and masters cricket.
With the island's premier sporting event dominating local focus, the panel will break down the latest selection news, squad preparations, and tactical matchups ahead of the annual rivalry.
Beyond Cup Match coverage, tonight’s stream will feature full analysis of the Bermuda national youth development squad's current overseas tour, alongside a detailed look at the upcoming international masters tournament featuring a cohort of veteran Bermudian players.
Host and analyst coverage will run live across digital platforms from 7:00 pm.
Monday, August 03, 2026
Geraldine Sidders Narrowly Misses Podium in Ontario
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s Geraldine Sidders narrowly missed out on a podium finish after an impressive performance at the Canadian Wushu National Championships in Waterloo, Ontario.
Competing against top international talent, Sidders secured a fourth-place finish in the Jianshu (straight sword) discipline with a score of 8.223. She backed that up with a sixth-place result in Changquan (longfist), scoring 7.300.
Her fourth-place display in the straight sword event was particularly notable given that she had only finalized the routine during an intensive month-long training camp with Ottawa-based Orleans Wushu Centre coach Daria Kanel.
The tournament, staged as a collaborative venture between the Ontario Summer Games and the National Wushu Festival, brought together high-calibre teams from across North America, as well as a visiting contingent from India competing across Taolu and Sanda divisions.
Sidders was supported on the floor by Bermuda taolu coaches Kaelin Cox and Jecoa Burrows, who assisted with coaching duties throughout the event.
Both Cox and Burrows are staying behind in Canada to continue their own training preparations ahead of October's Pan American Wushu Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Meanwhile, Bermuda team manager and international san da judge Nolette Webb was also invited to officiate, refereeing 125 san da bouts across three days of intense competition.
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Sammy Inspires CFU Club Shield Officials Including Majors
IslandStats.com
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy delivered an inspiring message to match officials at the 2026 CFU Club Shield in Trinidad and Tobago, encouraging referees, including Bermuda FIFA official Amaury Majors, to trust their preparation and remain composed under pressure.
The motivational address formed part of the tournament's match officials' opening ceremony, which focused on mental preparation, professionalism and high performance ahead of the regional club competition.
Drawing on his experience as an international cricketer and now a successful coach, Sammy stressed that thorough preparation is the key to performing at the highest level.
"Trust in the preparation," Sammy told the officials. "If you prepare well, you give yourself the best chance of performing."
He also urged referees to remain calm when making decisions, reminding them that professionalism should always take precedence once a match begins.
"Once you blow that whistle, it's time to be professional. Leave the emotions out of it and trust that the work you've put in is enough to take you through the game," he said.
Sammy acknowledged that no official is immune from mistakes, encouraging the group to stay focused rather than dwell on errors.
"None of us are perfect, so mistakes will happen. Stay in the moment of the game and trust your process."
The former West Indies captain also highlighted the importance of training beyond match-day demands, believing consistent preparation gives officials the confidence to deal with the pressures of elite competition.
For Majors, who is representing Bermuda at the CFU Club Shield, the session provided valuable insight from one of the Caribbean's most respected sporting figures as he continues to officiate at the highest regional level.
