Boxing Day Special Your Ultimate Guide to a Bumper Day
IslandStats.com
The highlight of the Bermudian sporting calendar arrives this Friday as Boxing Day offers a feast of action spanning from the West End to the East End. Whether you are heading to the football, the dirt track, or the equestrian center, the island is set for a high-octane conclusion to the year.
The football world descends on the West for a massive double-header in the BFA Shield and Friendship Trophy semi-finals.
The action kicks off at 12 noon with a First Division showdown in the Shield, as Somerset Eagles take on Wolves for a place in the New Year's Day final.
The main event follows at 2:00 pm, as defending Friendship Trophy champions Dandy Town Hornets launch their title defense against the Devonshire Cougars. It is a repeat of last year's festive drama, with the Hornets looking to maintain their grip on the trophy at a venue where they have historically thrived.
For those seeking high-speed thrills, the Bermuda Motocross Association will host its annual Boxing Day showcase at the Southside Motor Sports Park in St. David's.
Racing begins at 12 noon, featuring a full slate of classes ranging from the youth 50cc riders to the Expert and Over-30 divisions. The event has become a staple of the holiday tradition, drawing thousands to the East End for some of the most competitive riding of the season.
Centrally located at the National Equestrian Center, the Driving Horse & Pony Club presents its traditional Boxing Day program with a 1:00 PM post time.
The meet will feature the highly anticipated Veterans Invitational, where some of the island’s most experienced drivers will return to the sulky. After a season defined by blistering speeds and multiple photo finishes, fans can expect more tight competition on the Vesey Street track.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
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. This weekly program promises to be a vital hub for football enthusiasts, delivering comprehensive updates of the Premier and First Division.
Fans can tune in to catch the latest scores, highlights, and analyses. Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or a casual observer, “The IslandStats Football Show” aims to be your go-to destination for all things football-related.
Expect more than just match results. The show’s dynamic format invites coaches, players, and Bermuda Football Association officials to join live discussions. Their firsthand insights, tactical breakdowns, and candid reflections promise to enrich the football discourse.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Manders & Jones Complete Jamaican Medal Haul
IslandStats.com
Bermudian pickleball standouts Gavin Manders and Benjamin Jones have concluded a highly successful campaign at the Pickle & Chill Christmas Classic in Kingston, Jamaica, departing with a complete set of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals.
The duo, who have become formidable fixtures on the regional circuit, capped their final tournament of 2025 with a series of hard-fought podium finishes that underscored their standing as one of the Caribbean's premier pairings.
The highlight of the tournament for the Bermudian contingent came in the Men’s Class A Doubles final. After comfortably defeating Aman Chatani and Derek Walcott 15-8 in the semi-finals, Manders and Jones faced the dangerous pairing of Armando Ferreira and Jamaal Hay in the championship match.
In a tense, back-and-forth encounter that went the distance, the Bermudian pair demonstrated superior chemistry and tactical discipline. Despite a second-set stumble, they secured the gold medal with a 11-5, 8-11, 11-8 victory, mirroring the doubles success they enjoyed at the Jamaica International Open earlier this year.
The singles bracket proved equally eventful for the pair. Gavin Manders surged into the gold medal match with a flawless 15-0 semi-final win over Brandon Tom. However, he found it a "tall task" to overcome Portugal’s Armando Ferreira—the 2025 World Cup MVP—in the final, eventually falling 11-4, 11-4 to claim the silver medal.
Benjamin Jones completed the medal set for Bermuda in the third-place playoff. After a narrow 15-13 semi-final loss to Ferreira, Jones regrouped to defeat Brandon Tom and secure the bronze medal, a significant achievement for the 22-year-old in his debut singles season.
The results mark a fitting end to a landmark year for both athletes, who have been instrumental in establishing Bermuda as a dominant force in regional pickleball throughout 2025.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Referee Corner Excellence in Action Live 10:00 am
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 live every Monday at 5:30 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.
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Bermuda Academy Caps Landmark Year with Medal Haul
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Thai Boxing Academy has concluded the most successful year in its history in spectacular fashion, returning from Florida with a haul of medals and a dominant international record.
Representing the island at the Pride Muay Thai League Tournament in Miami, the team secured seven wins from nine bouts in 2025, cementing their status as a rising force in global combat sports.
Kru Deondre Morris led by example in the final session of the day. Competing with trademark composure and technical precision, Morris defeated an experienced mixed martial artist and Krav Maga specialist via a unanimous judges’ decision to claim the gold medal.
The victory served as a significant personal milestone for Morris, who has been a central figure in Bermuda’s Muay Thai community for over a decade. "I’m mainly happy to be competing again next to my guys," Morris reflected. "That’s always been a dream of mine".
The academy’s second medal came courtesy of a tireless performance by Dario Marcianese. In a grueling display of conditioning, Marcianese fought three times in just two hours against a field of technical strikers.
After winning his opening match against an aggressive opponent, Marcianese battled through the bracket to reach the final of his division. While he eventually conceded the top spot to secure a silver medal, Morris praised his teammate's grit: “Dario's performance improved every round; I'm very proud of his progress”.
With seven international victories over the calendar year, the academy has set a new benchmark for Bermudian martial arts, highlighting the island's growing pedigree on the global stage.
