A distinguished group of Bermudian community leaders, athletes, educators and professionals will join Premier League greats John Barnes and Andrew Cole today, for the Don’t Cut Your Future Short (DCYFS) × Bermuda Football Association U13 Invitational.
Held under the theme “One Team. One Community.”, the event will bring together ten football clubs across six integrated development stations. The programme is designed to help young players develop not only their football skills, but also the confidence, resilience, communication skills and personal agency needed to thrive beyond the pitch.
Barnes and Cole will provide U13 players with world-class technical guidance through high-intensity football rotations inspired by modern academy methodology. The sessions will challenge participants to strengthen their decision-making, communication and adaptability under pressure.
“The aim is to immerse U13 participants in micro-experiences designed to expose them to different voices, sectors, ideas and perspectives they might not ordinarily encounter, reinforcing personal agency and constructive decision-making,” said Tammy Richardson-Augustus. “We want to build more than footballers. We want to build futures.”
For Dr. Ramon Arscott, Barnes’s participation represents the continuation of a powerful cycle of inspiration.
“I was a 13-year-old boy in the early 1990s and captain of my high school U14 football team at Campion College in Kingston, Jamaica, when an awe-inspiring legend came to our training session and sat with us, giving us pearls of wisdom,” Dr. Arscott recalled.
“It was the first time we had seen, in the flesh, an example of the pinnacle of football in our time. He was in his prime. He spoke like us. He looked like us. We related to him. It was then that we knew what was possible. That man was, and is, John Barnes, then captain of Liverpool F.C.”
The Character Station, Think Moment and World Cup Highlight Reel will be supported by: - Tyrell Burgess, Bermudian international footballer and youth advocate - Sean Trott, elite long-distance runner and May 24 champion - Jon Beard, educator and respected contributor to Bermuda’s sporting community - Amanda Steward, human-resources professional with 20 years of multinational experience - Darren Wood, gang-violence reduction specialist - Azeem Khan, cricketer and ReGen Group skipper - Keishen Bean, third-sector professional
The Profile-Building and Media Pitch Station will feature: - Ben Rego, real-estate professional with strong marketing expertise - Sue Khan, consultant supporting underrepresented groups in finding their voices - Killian Elkinson, former professional footballer and litigation lawyer - Dr. Ramon Arscott, Harvard-trained, double-board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon - Daniel Wood, Grateful Miles co-founder and property professional - Cheyra Ball, safeguarding professional
The Risk, Reward, Refine, Repeat Station will be supported by the Future Leaders Group, including Executive Director Mackenzie Kohl Tuckett and the organisation’s trustees. A photo booth will provide profile pictures for the players and create a supportive setting in which they can confidently practise and refine their personal pitches.
Additional support will be provided by: - Gemma Godfrey, experience consultant - Dr. Tiffanne Thomas, safeguarding - Dr. Christie Hunter-Arscott, self-advocacy framework - Sean Tucker, master of ceremonies - Dr. Amne Osseyran, general practitioner, consultant forensic physician, certified safeguarding trainer and certified trauma-informed care clinician - Dr. Chioma Nwasike, sports medicine physician
Friday, October 02, 2026
Lights & Rugby Close Sports Center North Field
IslandStats.com
The North Field and 600m walking track at the National Sports Centre will be closed from Monday October 5th 2026 to Tuesday October 27th 2026, as the North Field flood lighting system is being replaced.
This work is scheduled to take place every day except Saturday October 10th and Sunday 11th, when the field will be open for the Athene Kickstart youth Football tournament. Walkers, joggers and all other recreational users will not have access to the 600m track, outdoor gym and surrounding grassy areas during that time.
The closure will continue on Wednesday October 28th to Thursday November 19th to account for The World Rugby Classic preparations, game days and clean-up.
This year’s event will feature Classic Canada, Classic Eagles, Argentina Legends, Italian Classic, France, Classic Canada, Classic Lions, who will each vie for crowning glory. There will also be a match featuring Bermuda mini-Rugby.
If one would like to use the facility during the closure, the South field 400m track is available at a nominal drop in fee, provided the field isn’t closed off for an exclusive booking. Schedules can be seen on our website: www.bermudanationalsportscentre.com and regular updates are posted on Instagram @nscbermuda.
Craig Tyrrell, the NSC SVP Operations Manager, said: “We are always excited when hosting events like the World Rugby Classic, but this year is a little different, as we are first improving the lighting system on the north field, a project which will benefit all users in the future. We must ensure that we can complete the tasks safely and, unfortunately, that means restricting use for all recreational users until the work is complete. We do apologise for any inconvenience, but look forward to everyone returning after the capital works and Classic have ended.”
Sunday, September 27, 2026
IslandStats Football Show Bermuda’s Heartbreak & Round-up
IslandStats.com
The Islandstats.com Football Show returns to the airwaves this evening, bringing viewers a comprehensive breakdown of an eventful week across Bermudian football.
Broadcasting live at 6:00 pm, the panel will turn its focus to the international stage following Bermuda's agonising 2-1 Concacaf Nations League defeat to Guadeloupe in Saint Lucia. The Gombey Warriors led through Enrique Russell’s first-half spot-kick before two red cards and a frantic late turnaround saw all three points slip away.
Alongside the fallout from the national team’s overseas campaign, the show will also delve into the latest round of domestic fixtures, examining the key storylines, standout individual showings, and tactical debates emerging from across the island's grounds.
Supporters can tune into the live broadcast and join the conversation from 6:00 pm directly at www.islandstats.com.
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Leitch Secures Historic Victory for Bermuda in Wales
IslandStats.com
Bermuda Lawn Bowls Association president David Leitch represented his country on the continental stage as Bermuda tested themselves against high-calibre opposition at the European Lawn Bowls Championship in Llandrindod Wells, Wales.
Stepping well outside their customary competitive circuit, Bermuda’s campaign was highlighted by a spirited 18-16 triumph over Portugal on the Welsh greens.
The victory marked a significant milestone for the island, whose only prior taste of international competition had come at the Guernsey and Orkney International Island Games.
Against seasoned European outfits, Leitch faced a demanding schedule of group fixtures. Bermuda opened with a tough 21-9 defeat to tournament hosts Wales, before pushing Jersey in a 21-13 contest.
A 21-14 reverse against Turkey followed, but Bermuda rebounded in style to edge out Portugal by two shots in a tense, seesaw encounter.
Leitch came agonisingly close to claiming a second victory against Sweden, narrowly falling 20-17 in a high-scoring thriller, before closing out the championship with a 21-9 defeat against Spain.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Government Provides Funding to Eight Community Organizations
IslandStats.com
n September 22nd, the Government provided funding to eight organizations delivering programmes and services that benefit communities across Bermuda.
Seven organizations have received funding of $12,500 each through the Confiscated Assets Fund: Two of them were Sports Clubs in Western Stars Club, and Wolves Football Club.
Premier David Burt said: “Community organizations are cornerstones of our society. Through grants from the Confiscated Assets Fund, the Government is taking the proceeds of criminal activity and redirecting them into programmes that serve and strengthen our community. Alongside these grants, we are supporting the Bermuda Heritage Museum and its work to preserve and share Bermuda’s history. Each of the organizations recognized today is doing meaningful work, and I am proud that this Government can continue to support their efforts.”
Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, Owen Darrell, said: “When we invest in our community organizations, we are investing directly in our people. These organizations are creating opportunities for our young people, supporting families, encouraging healthier lifestyles, and helping to preserve our history and culture. I am pleased that we are able to support the important work they are doing every day in communities across Bermuda.”
The funding will assist the recipient organizations with programmes and initiatives spanning youth development, family support, health and wellness, sport, technology, and community development.
Funding for the Bermuda Heritage Museum will support its continued work to preserve, document and share Bermuda’s history and heritage for current and future generations.
The Government remains committed to supporting community organizations whose work contributes to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of Bermuda.
