Sidders Makes Historic Wushu return for Bermuda in Tianjin
IslandStats.com
Bermuda has made a significant return to the global martial arts stage, with elite prospect Geraldine Sidders becoming the first athlete from the island to compete at the World Junior Wushu Championships in over a decade.
Sidders travelled to Tianjin, China, to test herself against the world's finest young practitioners in the Group A Division, reserved for athletes aged 15 to 17. Competing in the highly technical Gunshu (Staff) Division, the Bermudian produced a composed performance to finish 32nd in a crowded field of 43 world-class competitors. The appearance marks a major milestone for the Bermuda Sanshou Association (BSA) as they look to re-establish a presence on the international Wushu circuit.
Reflecting on her performance, Sidders noted that despite the high-pressure environment of a World Championship, her primary focus remained on her mental discipline and technical execution. "I am extremely thrilled with my performance; I remained completely composed and extremely focused," Sidders said. She acknowledged that while minor deductions impacted her overall score, she felt her form was executed to the best of her current ability. For Sidders, the experience served as a vital "confidence boost" and a testament to her ability to remain calm and in control of her mental state while competing among the global elite.
BSA President Garon Wilkinson expressed immense pride in Sidders’ showing, particularly given her relatively short time training with the staff. "I'm very pleased with her showing. She hasn't been performing the staff for very long—it’s only been a few months since she actually completed the routine," Wilkinson explained. He noted that while there were "ups and downs" during the preparation and warm-up phases in China, Sidders successfully delivered the "best version of herself" when it mattered most. Wilkinson emphasized that the goal was for her to look like she belonged on the world stage, a feat he believes she achieved emphatically as she now pivots toward preparing for her next events and the road to the Dakar 2026 Junior Olympics.
The focus for the Bermudian camp now shifts to the remainder of the tournament, with Sidders scheduled to compete in the Chanquan (Longfist) Division on Saturday. Having secured a solid foundation in the staff event, she will be looking to climb the rankings in the empty-hand form as she continues her development in the birthplace of the sport.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Pioneering Best takes Centre Stage as Documentary Premieres
IslandStats.com
West Ham United legend Clyde Best was the guest of honour at Sadler’s Wells East as the world premiere of Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story received a standing ovation from a capacity crowd.
The film, directed by award-winning filmmaker Dan Egan and narrated by Tony D. Head, offers a poignant and definitive account of the Bermudian’s trailblazing journey through English football. Arriving in London as a seventeen-year-old in 1968, Best became one of the first Black superstars of the modern television era, scoring 58 goals in 218 appearances for the Hammers and helping to dismantle racial barriers during a volatile period for the British game.
The premiere, held at the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, brought together a "who’s who" of footballing royalty. Notable contributors in the film—including Sir Geoff Hurst, Ian Wright, and Harry Redknapp—feature prominently in a narrative that explores not only Best’s on-field excellence but also his quiet resilience in the face of systemic racism.
A particularly emotive highlight of the evening was the film’s focus on the historic Easter Sunday match in 1972, when West Ham became the first English top-flight side to field three Black players in a single starting line-up: Best, Clive Charles, and Ade Coker. This "quiet revolution," as the documentary describes it, is framed as a foundational moment for the modern, multi-cultural Premier League.
Following the screening, Best joined a live Q&A session where he reflected on the importance of the project. "It was never just about me," Best told the audience. "It was about making sure that the doors I walked through stayed open for those who came after."
The London run continues at Sadler’s Wells East until March 28, before the documentary moves to Bermuda for a highly anticipated homecoming series of screenings at the Earl Cameron Theatre and Ruth Seaton James Auditorium starting April 21.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
A Walk Down Memory Lane - Trojans’ Class of 76 Live 7 pm
IslandStats.com
The golden era of Bermudian youth football will be back in the spotlight this evening as the popular sports programme "A Walk Down Memory Lane" welcomes the Somerset Trojans’ historic 1976 Bantam squad.
Hosts Earl Basden and Dennis Brown are set to lead a nostalgic journey through one of the most significant chapters in Somerset’s youth development history. The show will feature several members of the iconic 1976 team, reflecting on a period when the West End club’s production line was considered the benchmark for excellence on the island, live at 7pm.
The centerpiece of tonight’s discussion will be the team’s landmark journey to Toronto, Canada, to compete in the Mini World Cup. For many of the young Trojans at the time, the tournament represented a first taste of international competition, pitting Bermuda’s technical flair against a diverse field of global talent.
Listeners can expect first-hand accounts of the challenges and triumphs from that Canadian tour, which helped forge the character of players who would go on to define the senior game in Bermuda for years to come. The broadcast serves as a timely reminder of the importance of international exposure for the island’s youth prospects, a tradition the Somerset Trojans helped pioneer decades ago.
The programme offers a rare opportunity for fans of all ages to hear from the pioneers of the "Silver City" era, bridging the gap between the legends of the seventies and the current crop of talent rising through the ranks at Silver Roots.
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Football Show - Title Decider & Relegation Drama 6 pm
IslandStats.com
The race for promotion and the fight for top-flight survival reach a fever pitch this weekend as Bermuda's domestic season nears its dramatic conclusion.
With massive implications at both ends of the table, the action kicks off this evening on the Islandstats.com Football Show, live at 6:00 pm, previewing a Sunday afternoon that could define the future of several clubs.
The panel will review what happened at the PHC Stadium as the First Division crown was presented. It will either be Robin Hood or the Somerset Trojans.
The drama then shifts to Bernard Park, where the stakes couldn't be higher. Young Men’s Social Club find themselves staring into the abyss; anything less than three points against North Village Rams will see them relegated.
However, their fate isn't entirely in their own hands. Even a win might not be enough if the Paget Lions manage to secure a point in their formidable clash against the PHC Zebras.
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Late Withdrawal Forces Cancellation of Roach Bout
IslandStats.com
Bermudian amateur standout Adrian Roach has expressed his frustration and disappointment after his scheduled bout was cancelled at the eleventh hour following a late withdrawal from his opponent.
Roach was due to feature on the undercard of the "Homecoming of Joseph Jackson Jr" event, presented by Walter T Johnson III Promotions. However, the anticipated clash fell through when opponent Devin Carter pulled out of the contest just moments before the official weigh-ins were set to take place.
The timing of the withdrawal left organizers with no opportunity to source a replacement fighter, leaving the 22-year-old North Carolina A&T student without a match after weeks of intensive preparation. Roach, who has been a consistent presence on the regional circuit, took to social media to address his supporters and vent his exasperation at the turn of events.
"I’m upset to announce that my fight today has been cancelled," Roach stated. "My opponent Devin Carter pulled out of the fight right before weigh-ins and didn’t leave us any time to find a new one. There’s no excuse for such poor sportsmanship but it’s a part of this game".
Despite the setback, the middleweight prospect was quick to offer his apologies to those who had traveled to see him compete. "I apologize to all that were looking forward to seeing me fight and thank you all for your continued support," he added. Roach is now expected to return to the gym immediately as his management team looks to secure a new date and opponent to ensure his momentum in the 2026 season isn't stalled by the cancellation.
