Golden Finish for Manders Despite Physical Adversity
IslandStats.com
Bermuda's leading pickleball practitioner Gavin Manders ensured his Trinidadian campaign ended in golden glory, capturing a major team title at the Pickleball Paradise ANSA Bank Open to supplement an already impressive tournament haul.
Manders claimed a prestigious Gold medal in the elite franchise division while representing the regional powerhouse Jade Monkey Howlers, capping an exhausting and emotional week on the Caribbean courts.
The triumph provides an immediate layer of redemption for the veteran islander, who had earlier fallen just short of a magnificent individual title after being beaten by Trinidad and Tobago's home favorite Joshua Arnold in a grueling Men's Singles Final.
The franchise victory marks Manders' second trip to the top step of the podium in Trinidad, following an exceptional performance in the Mixed Doubles Open division alongside his regular tournament partner.
The multi-medal return represents a watershed moment for the development of the sport across the Caribbean, solidifying the island's high-performance credentials against the region's elite tier.
What makes Manders' podium-laden tour even more extraordinary is the severe medical adversity he was forced to navigate behind the scenes. Speaking after the final match, the Bermudian revealed he has been battling a succession of debilitating physical setbacks since the conclusion of the previous Caribbean Championships.
"It was a tricky one for me because since the Caribbean Championships, I’ve been dealing with kidney stones, then an infection, and then a recurring disc issue," Manders told islandstats.com. "I ended up having a herniated disc that was pinching my L5 and S1 nerves. But thanks to Apex and the team, I was able to get myself back balanced enough to compete."
Despite the profound physical limitations, Manders pushed through a punishing competitive schedule that tested his conditioning to the absolute limit.
"I played like 18 hours of pickleball over those three days. It’s definitely a testament to my resilience, but also to the teams around me. At this point in my career, I never know when it’s going to be my last, so I'm going to continue to push, go out there and shine, and express myself on the court."
Beyond the immediate silverware, Manders remains highly focused on the long-term structural architecture of the sport. The tournament served as a historic milestone, showcasing the rapid integration of high-level junior structures across the region.
The cross-border unity displayed in Trinidad has fueled optimism for a permanent regional ecosystem, particularly as national governing bodies begin working toward unified developmental paths.
"One of the main takeaways for me is that we are really continuing to build this sport in the region and lay a foundation that is going to have a big impact on the future for juniors coming up," Manders added. "This is just another stepping stone to show the unity within the region. Eventually, when tennis and pickleball work together within the region as well, I really think we're going to see something that nobody could ever have seen before."
Monday, June 01, 2026
Simons Appointed Bermuda Referees' Association President
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s elite football officiating landscape has entered a defining new chapter following the election of pioneering FIFA referee Tashon Simons as the new President of the Bermuda Referees' Association (BRA).
Simons, who made history in 2017 by becoming the first Bermudian match official in over a decade to be named to the prestigious FIFA International Referees List, ran unopposed for the top job after outgoing president Anthony Francis chose not to seek re-election.
The appointment brings a wealth of international, high-pressure tournament experience to the domestic executive committee at a time when local official numbers are facing critical structural thresholds.
Simons will spearhead a heavily refreshed 2026 executive committee tasked with modernizing the island's referee pipeline and streamlining communication with the Bermuda Football Association (BFA).
Former national team defender Kentoine Jennings steps into the role of Secretary, while veteran official Dwight Jackson secures the Vice Presidency.
Speaking to islandstats.com, Simons laid down an immediate, dual-track mandate for his incoming administration, balancing swift behind-the-scenes administrative cleaning with a comprehensive tactical recruitment drive.
"First order of business of the executive will be to sort out administrative matters, which have already started," Simons said. "Second, we will look at options to make refereeing more attractive so that more people—specifically between the ages of 17 and 30—join the ranks for years to come. I am also hoping to recall some officials who have recently stopped."
A central, high-stakes pillar of Simons' presidency will center on financial restructuring. The former international assistant referee confirmed that opening formal negotiations with the BFA to increase the base match-fee payment for local officials is firmly on the table.
However, Simons warned that any standard-of-living pay hikes from the governing body must be earned via strict, unconditional professional development from the rank-and-file membership.
"Requesting from the BFA for officials to be paid more per match may be an avenue to be explored," Simons explained. "But that will have to come with a definitive commitment from the membership to train regularly, attend technical courses, and show up to general meetings. We are also exploring thoughts around potentially obtaining corporate sponsorship."
Crucially, the new regime will not be discarding the structural foundations left behind by the previous committee. Simons confirmed that the BRA will strictly enforce three recently implemented governance frameworks—the Disciplinary Code, the Code of Conduct, and the BRA Matchday Protocol—as they look to professionalize the image of refereeing across the local landscape.
Monday, June 01, 2026
Manders Strikes Gold in Mixed Doubles in Trinidad
IslandStats.com
Bermuda's leading pickleball practitioner Gavin Manders ensured his Trinidadian campaign ended in golden glory, capturing a brilliant Mixed Doubles Open title at the Pickleball Paradise ANSA Bank Open.
Having previously settled for a hard-fought Silver medal in a grueling Men’s Open Singles final, the Bermudian national director exacted perfect tactical revenge on the final day of competition to return home with a complete set of podium silverware.
Partnering with the clinical Kristin Stepp, Manders navigated a highly volatile knockout bracket before outlasting the host nation's elite tier in an absolute classic of a grand final.
The Bermudian-American tandem laid down their championship credentials early in the playoff semi-final phase, facing off against the dangerous pairing of Nathaniel Alexander and Kayla Teape.
Stepp’s metronomic consistency from the transition zone allowed Manders to play with signature uninhibited aggression at the kitchen line. The tactical blueprint worked to perfection, with the duo keeping their opponents pinned deep behind the baseline to secure a comfortable 11-6 victory and book their grand final berth.
The showpiece final saw Manders cross paths once again with local icon Joshua Arnold—the very man who had denied him single-handed gold earlier in the week—this time flanking the clinical Liselle James.
In a match that completely broke open the conventional tactical mold, all four players produced an extraordinary exhibition of rapid-fire dinking rallies, baseline drives, and spectacular defensive recoveries.
With the Trinidadian crowd roaring on the home favorites, Arnold and James managed to save multiple championship match points as the scoreline extended well beyond the standard threshold.
However, showing immense physical resilience and superior communication under maximum pressure, Manders and Stepp held their nerve. A decisive cross-court winner from Manders finally broke the local resistance, sealing an exhausting 15-13 victory to bring the championship gold safely back to Bermuda.
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Arnold denies Manders Gold in Trinidad Pickleball Thriller
IslandStats.com
Bermuda's premier pickleball star Gavin Manders fell just short of a magnificent singles title after being beaten by home favorite Joshua Arnold in the final of the Pickleball Paradise ANSA Bank Open.
Manders enjoyed a spectacular, dominant run through the Men’s A Singles Open draw in Trinidad and Tobago, but he was ultimately undone by a clinical performance from Arnold, who took the championship match 11-5.
The Bermudian got his campaign off to a flying start at the Pickleball Paradise courts, showing great resilience to edge out Novak Malcolm 11-9 in a tense, tightly contested opening match.
With his rhythm firmly established, Manders followed up with a ruthless display against Akeam Charles, executing a flawless 11-0 shut-out. He then secured his place in the business end of the tournament by comfortably dismissing Jake De Costa 11-6.
Manders carried that irresistible form straight into the knockout stages. He put on a masterclass in the quarter-finals, brushing aside Liev Khan 11-1 with a display of superb baseline precision and sharp transition play.
A semi-final clash against Joshua Ackin provided a stiffer test, but the Bermudian national director kept his composure, sealing an 11-6 victory to march into the grand final.
However, the final hurdle proved one too many. Up against Trinidad’s top talent, Manders found himself under immense pressure early on as Arnold took control of the kitchen line. Despite a spirited fightback from Manders, Arnold dictated the pace to seal an 11-5 victory and claim the crown on home soil.
Friday, May 29, 2026
Manders Triumphs in Trinidad Pickleball Showcases Day One
IslandStats.com
The Caribbean pickleball community has descended upon Trinidad for an unforgettable weekend of sport as the ANSA Bank Open took center stage.
Hosted by Pickleball Paradise, the three-day extravaganza has brought together elite competitors, intense regional rivalries, and historic milestones, highlighting the meteoric rise of the sport across the islands.
The tournament features a diverse field of athletes traveling from Barbados, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Tobago, and Bermuda, reflecting the booming popularity and strengthening community ties within Caribbean pickleball.
Bermuda was well represented on the courts by Gavin Manders and Mical Russel, who both found themselves in the thick of the medal rounds after a gruelling schedule of matches.
Manders tasted ultimate success as part of the Jade Monkey Howlers franchise. Facing off against the Diego Martin Shock in a tense and highly atmospheric final, the Howlers displayed superb chemistry and tactical precision to secure a 3-1 victory and claim the prestigious title.
There was to be no double podium for the Bermudians, however, as Russel's team, Three Islands One Love, fell just short of a medal.
Competing in a hard-fought bronze medal match against the Rally Rebels, Russel’s outfit battled valiantly but ultimately succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to finish just outside the podium places.
With action continuing across the weekend, the tournament has already cemented its status as a landmark event for the sport, proving that pickleball has firmly established its footprint in the Caribbean sporting landscape.
