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Friday, March 20, 2026
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Undefeated Bermuda Charge into Championship Final
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Bermuda’s elite Pickleball stars have delivered a masterclass in regional dominance, storming into the final of the Team Caribbean Championships with an unblemished record.
The Bermuda Open Elite squad, featuring a potent mix of experience and youth in Gavin Manders, Sasha Fisher, Melisa Judd, Lily Hallett, Naphisa Smith, Ben Jones, Patricia Mills, Jamie Stowe Jr., Tom Mills, and Mical Ryssell, remained undefeated throughout a clinical group stage campaign. Their journey began with an emphatic statement in the opening round, where they dismantled Trinidad and Tobago in a 5–1 victory, while Jamaica signaled their own intentions with a 4–2 win over the Cayman Islands.
The momentum continued into the second round as Bermuda faced their toughest group test against Jamaica. In a high-quality encounter, the Bermudian side showed superior composure in the decisive sets to secure a 4–2 win, effectively taking control of the standings. Meanwhile, the Cayman Islands kept their hopes alive by mirroring that scoreline in a victory over Trinidad and Tobago.
Bermuda's clinical edge was sharpened further in the final group matches as they produced a 4–0 shutout against the Cayman Islands, ensuring they entered the knockout stages with maximum points. Jamaica followed suit with a 3–1 win over Trinidad to secure the secondary qualification spot.
The semi-final stage proved to be more of the same for the tournament favorites, as Bermuda once again refused to drop a single match in a 4–0 demolition of Trinidad and Tobago. While Bermuda comfortably awaits their opponent in the showpiece final, the other semi-final remains on a knife-edge with the Cayman Islands and Jamaica currently locked at 1–1. Should they maintain this unrelenting form, Manders and his teammates appear well-positioned to bring the regional crown back to the island.
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Thursday, March 19, 2026
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Walking Football League Kick-Off Hailed a "Success"
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The vibrant sound of whistles and cheering returned to the pitch this past weekend as the Curly’s Walking Football League celebrated its highly anticipated grand opening.
The league’s founder and organizer, Leroy "Curley Joe” Wilson, has described the launch as a categorical success, noting that the atmosphere at the opening matches surpassed all initial expectations. The initiative, which aims to keep the island's seasoned athletes active and engaged, saw a strong turnout from players and spectators alike as the inaugural games got underway.
"Last week was a success at the grand opening," Wilson remarked, reflecting on the smooth transition from planning to matchday action. "It worked out pretty good."
Despite the positive start, Wilson is not resting on his laurels. While the league currently features a solid foundation of local talent, the organizer is already working behind the scenes to expand the competition's footprint.
Wilson revealed that he is in the final stages of securing two additional teams, which would bring the league's total to six competing squads. This expansion is seen as a vital step in ensuring the long-term sustainability and competitive depth of the walking football circuit in Bermuda.
Wilson has confirmed he now has a fifth team registered.
As the league moves into its second week, the focus remains on recruitment and community involvement. Wilson issued a fresh call to the island’s sporting community, encouraging more players to lace up their boots and get involved with the tournament.
The league represents more than just a competition; it is a burgeoning community for those who may have stepped away from the traditional high-impact game but still possess the "competitive fire" to compete at a controlled pace. With more teams on the horizon and the initial success of the grand opening still fresh, the future of walking football at the Curly’s League looks to be on a very steady trajectory.
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Thursday, March 19, 2026
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Bermuda Set to Make a Return to World Championships
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Bermuda’s Elite Wushu prospect is finalizing her preparations as the team gets set to depart for Tianjin, China, marking the island’s first appearance at the World Junior Wushu Championships in over a decade.
The four-person delegation, led by Bermuda Sanshou Association (BSA) President Garon Wilkinson, is scheduled to depart on March 21st for the tenth edition of the global showpiece. The team features rising star Geraldine Sidders, who will be supported by coaches Wilkinson and Kaelin Cox, alongside team manager Nolette Webb.
The championships, which run from March 26th to the 30th, represent a significant milestone for the local programme. It marks the first time a Bermudian athlete has competed at the Junior Worlds since Samir Furkan’s appearance in 2012, and importantly, the first time the island will be represented in the technical Taolu discipline.
Sidders will compete in the Group A Division (ages 15–17), taking on two high-stakes events: the Changquan (Long Fist) and the Gunshu (Staff). These specific categories carry added weight, as they serve as the qualifying events for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
"This is the first time that Bermuda has been to the Junior World Wushu Championships since 2012," Wilkinson remarked, noting the development of the island's technical programme. "It's another mark in history with Bermuda being able to field our first athlete in the Junior World Wushu Championships, which is a testament to the success of our growing Taolu programme."
The team is expected to arrive in China on March 23rd, allowing for two days of official training and technical meetings before the opening ceremony on the 25th. Wilkinson extended credit to the dedicated coaching staff, including Cox and Jecoa Burrows, as well as international consultants who have contributed to Sidders’ rapid progression on the world stage.
Following the five-day competition in Tianjin, the BSA hopes that Sidders’ performance will be enough to confirm her spot for Senegal later this year, further cementing Bermuda's rising status in the global martial arts community.
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Wednesday, March 18, 2026
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Wade & Warhurst Command Rally on the Rock Day Two
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The 2026 Rally on the Rock Tournament continued to deliver high-octane drama at the WER Joell Tennis Stadium today as the second day of competition saw a new set of champions crowned across the singles and doubles divisions.
In the women’s singles draw, Tschana Wade produced a clinical performance to claim the title in the 3.0 Open 35+ Division, while Micelle Leotaud demonstrated remarkable endurance to sweep the honours in the combined 3.5 Open 35+ and 50+ Division. The elite bracket saw Anita Warhurst rise to the occasion, showcasing the tactical precision required to be named the champion of the Women’s Singles 4.0 Open Division.
The men’s doubles events were equally competitive, with veteran pairings proving that experience remains a vital asset on the Bermudian circuit. Owen Stewart and Adam Barboza secured a hard-fought victory in the 3.0 Open 65+ Division, while the pairing of Edgar Griffith and Duane Simons dominated the combined 3.5 Open 50+ and 65+ ranks.
The afternoon session highlighted the depth of talent in the mid-tier divisions, as Aman Sanganeria and Nicolaas van der Westh navigated a tricky field to win the Men’s Doubles 3.5 Open 35+ Division. The day concluded with a masterclass in power and teamwork from Marcel Bouwens and Rian Michelsen, who emerged victorious in the Men’s Doubles 4.0 Open 35+ category to cap off a prolific second day of action in the capital.
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Tuesday, March 17, 2026
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Rally on the Rock Opens at the WER Joell Tennis Stadium
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The high-octane growth of Bermudian pickleball was on full display as the 2026 Rally on the Rock Tournament got underway at the WER Joell Tennis Stadium.
Under clear skies and in front of a burgeoning crowd, the opening day of competition saw several divisions crown their champions. The elite end of the bracket delivered on its promise of high-intensity rallies, most notably in the Men's Singles 5.0+ Open category. Joshua Arnold emerged as the standout performer, navigating a challenging field to claim the championship title with a display of clinical precision and power.
The technical depth of the local circuit was further highlighted in the Men's Singles 4.0+ Open Division, where Nathaniel Alexander secured the top spot on the podium. His victory was mirrored in the senior ranks by Gary Perry, who took the honours in the Men's Singles 3.0 Open 60+ age group, proving that the competitive fire remains undiminished across all demographics.
In the women's draw, the doubles partnerships provided some of the day's most compelling tactical battles. Patricia Mills and Sasha Fisher triumphed in a competitive five-team field to win the Women's Doubles 4.5+ Open, while the pairing of Leslie Jackson and Maclean Smith secured the title in the 4.0+ Open 50+ division.
The 3.5 Open divisions saw Victoria Powell and Val Stevenson claim the 50+ crown, while Sue Chiappa and Karen Patricia Brine demonstrated exceptional teamwork to win the 60+ and 65+ combined division. Earlier in the day, Tracy Shott and Deborah Sagurs set the tone for the veteran classes by winning the 3.0 Open 50+, 60+, and 65+ division.
The 35+ age groups also saw new champions crowned as the sport continues to attract a diverse range of athletes. Febby Budi claimed the Men's Singles 3.0 title for the age group, while Donn Trott secured victory in the 3.5 Open 35+ division. On the women's side, Olivia Langille and Tschana Wade were the class of the field in the 3.0 Open 35+ doubles.
Rounding out the singles honours was Albert De Matas, who produced a resilient performance to win the Men's Singles 3.5 Open for the 50+ and 60+ combined groups. As the tournament moves into its second day, the focus shifts to the mixed doubles events, where many of today’s individual champions will return to the court looking to add to their medal tallies.
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