A Walk Down Memory Lane: Norbert Simons tales of Track & Trojans
IslandStats.com
Tonight, Bermuda’s sporting history takes center stage as "A Walk Down Memory Lane" returns to look back at the multifaceted career of one of the island’s most respected sports administrators and coaches.
At 7:30 pm, hosts Earl Basden and Dennis Brown will sit down with Norbert Simons, a man whose influence on Bermudian sport stretches from the Carifta track to the touchlines of the island’s most storied football club.
While many know Simons for his long-standing tenure as the Director of Youth and Sports, tonight’s show will delve into his roots as an elite athlete. A former Carifta Games competitor, Simons was part of a golden era of Bermudian track and field, and the show will explore how that competitive foundation paved the way for his transition into elite coaching and administration.
The headline of the evening, however, will be the reminiscing of Simons' time leading the Somerset Trojans. "Silver City" has a long history of hosting global icons, but few moments match the drama of facing the English giants.
Simons will discuss the high-profile clashes against Manchester United and Arsenal. Most notably: The 1987 Man Utd Tour: A match famous for Sir Alex Ferguson actually making a playing appearance for the Red Devils against the Trojans. The Arsenal Connection: Tales from the era when North London’s finest brought the "Double-winning" pedigree of the early 70s to Bermudian soil.
Whether you're a fan of track and field or a Somerset loyalist wanting to relive the glory days of the Trojans, tonight’s broadcast promises to be a masterclass in Bermudian sporting heritage.
Monday, January 12, 2026
Referee Corner Excellence in Action Live 4:30 pm
IslandStats.com
www.islandstats.com, and the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) is renewing its push to bolster the ranks of local match officials by continuing its strategic collaboration with islandstats.com for the current season.
The initiative aims to inspire more individuals to join the refereeing ranks, addressing the perennial challenge of official shortages within the domestic game.
The centerpiece of this recruitment drive is the special weekly segment, "Excellence in Action," which airs today at 4:30 PM on the platform's Referees Corner show.
This programme is set to feature members of the Bermuda Referee Association, who will discuss the benefits of becoming a certified official, including pathways to international experience, income generation, and developing leadership skills crucial for the game’s sustainability.
By leveraging the live platform, the BFA aims to provide greater transparency and insight into the world of officiating, encouraging football enthusiasts to see the sport from a new and essential perspective.
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Islandstats.com Football Show Live at 6 pm
IslandStats.com
The much-anticipated "IslandStats Football Show" is set to grace the airwaves once again today at 6:00 pm, serving as a vital hub for Bermuda’s football enthusiasts as the season enters its most critical phase.
With the domestic calendar now officially in its second half, the weekly program promises to deliver comprehensive updates and expert analysis of the Premier and First Divisions. As the race for silverware intensifies and the threat of the drop looms large, the show aims to be the go-to destination for die-hard supporters and casual observers alike.
With just three months remaining in the league season, the primary talking point is the relentless form of the Dandy Town Hornets. However, the margin for error is non-existent. The chasing PHC Zebras and Devonshire Colts are breathing down their necks, both locked together on 21 points. Tonight’s show will feature tactical breakdowns of how the Hornets have maintained their momentum during a grueling holiday schedule and whether they have the depth to see the job through to April.
At the other end of the table, the drama is equally compelling. The "IslandStats" panel will delve into the plight of Young Men’s Social Club and the Boulevard Blazers, both of whom find themselves firmly entrenched in the relegation spots.
The Blazers, currently sitting at the bottom of the pile with just 2 points, and ninth-placed Social Club, on 4 points, are in desperate need of a resurgence to pull themselves toward safety. Tonight’s program will look at the potential "great escapes" on the horizon and what changes these storied clubs must make to retain their Premier Division status for 2027.
Meanwhile the First Division title race remains uncertain as the Somerset Trojans lead the league by three points over Robin Hood who are expected to be level again when they take on winless Vasco before showtime.
Expect more than just match results and score updates. The show’s dynamic format invites coaches, players, and Bermuda Football Association (BFA) officials to join live discussions, providing firsthand insights that fans rarely get to hear elsewhere.
From candid reflections on recent performances to behind-the-scenes looks at transfer movements, the "IslandStats Football Show" promises to enrich the local football discourse. Whether it’s discussing the standard of officiating or the development of the island’s youth prospects, the show remains the heartbeat of Bermudian football media.
Thursday, January 08, 2026
FIFA & TikTok Reach Agreement for FIFA World Cup 2026
IslandStats.com
The most inclusive event in football history has today become even more accessible, with an innovative partnership between FIFA and TikTok set to bring millions of fans even closer to the action and excitement at the FIFA World Cup 2026
TikTok, one of the planet’s most influential and dynamic destinations for mobile video content, will become FIFA’s first-ever Preferred Platform. This will lead to an enhanced level of collaboration and integration, allowing TikTok to offer more comprehensive FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage, including increased original content, while becoming the go-to place for fans and creators throughout the tournament. This first-of-its-kind Preferred Platform agreement builds on the groundbreaking tie-up between FIFA and TikTok for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, which resulted in tens of billions of views.
Running until the end of 2026, the partnership also unlocks significant opportunities for official FIFA World Cup 2026 Media Partners on TikTok, including the ability to live-stream parts of matches, post more curated clips and access special content produced by FIFA for TikTok. Broadcasters will also be able to monetise their FIFA World Cup™ coverage through TikTok’s premium advertising solutions. Finally, TikTok will implement anti-piracy policies that support and protect FIFA’s intellectual property.
“FIFA’s goal is to share the exhilaration of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with as many fans as possible, and we can’t think of a better way to further that mission during the biggest event in sports history than to have TikTok as the tournament’s first Preferred Platform,” said FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström.
“This is an innovative and creative collaboration that will connect more fans across the globe to the FIFA World Cup in unprecedented ways, bringing them behind the curtain and closer to the action than ever before. As football grows and evolves – uniting an increasing number of people – so should the way it is shared and promoted.”
The Preferred Platform partnership will be anchored by TikTok’s immersive FIFA World Cup 2026 hub, a bustling nexus powered by TikTok GamePlan that will enable fans to discover engaging content that brings the 48-team tournament to life alongside match ticket and viewing information, as well as participation incentives like custom stickers, filters and gamification features.
For the first time, FIFA and TikTok will build a robust creator programme that will provide a select group of global TikTok creators with game-changing access to incredible behind-the-scenes moments – such as press conferences and training sessions – and in the process give fans unique, relatable perspectives on the FIFA World Cup experience on TikTok. Additionally, a wide group of creators will receive the opportunity to use and co-create FIFA archival footage.
"Football has experienced explosive global growth on TikTok over the past few years, and as FIFA's first-ever Preferred Platform we're excited for fans to experience the FIFA World Cup 2026 beyond the 90 minutes, with exclusive content and unprecedented creator access," said James Stafford, Global Head of Content, TikTok.
"TikTok GamePlan turns fandom into measurable business results for our sports partners, with fans being 42% more likely to tune in to live matches after watching sports content on TikTok. We're reaching the next generation of football fans - particularly younger and female audiences - and converting that passion into real tune-in and engagement at unprecedented scale."
Wednesday, January 07, 2026
BFA Officials at Anti-Match Manipulation & Integrity Workshop
IslandStats.com
Member Associations of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) including Bermuda enhanced their capacity to protect the integrity of the game during an Anti-Match Manipulation and Integrity Workshop.
The workshop was facilitated by FIFA Senior Integrity Manager Liam Rich and focused on FIFA’s four core pillars for safeguarding football: detection and investigation, education and training, prevention, and sanctioning. Participants also examined the definition and causes of match manipulation, as well as practical scenarios occurring both on and off the field.
Representing Bermuda were Lyndon Raynor and Jibri Smith.
The workshop aligned with the CFU’s strategic capacity-building objectives. It also provided participants with a solid foundation in identifying, preventing, and responding to integrity risks across all levels of the game.
“This workshop forms part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the administrative and governance capacity of our Member Associations,” said CFU General Secretary Camara David. “We are grateful to FIFA for its continued collaboration and support.”
Participant feedback was positive, with attendees reporting increased confidence in recognizing and addressing potential integrity threats.
