BEDC Celebrates Sports Club Business Planning Incubator
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) celebrated the graduation of the second cohort of its Sports Club Business Planning Incubator on Thursday, September 3rd, at Devonshire Recreation Club.
The evening recognized four graduating clubs: Devonshire Recreation Club, Somerset Bridge Recreation Club, Pembroke Hamilton Club (PHC) and E Sports Bermuda, following their completion of ten business-planning sessions delivered from May through September by BEDC’s Economic & Cooperative Development Unit.
The Incubator helps Bermuda’s sports clubs apply sound business principles to strengthen governance, financial management, revenue generation and long-term sustainability. Cohort 2 built on the inaugural programme with enhanced site visits, an updated Sports Club Business Planning Workbook, a dedicated digital resource system and PechaKucha-inspired presentations.
Speaking at the graduation, the Minister of Economy and Labour, Jason Hayward, commended the executives for voluntarily dedicating their evenings and weekends to the programme while balancing their professional, personal and club responsibilities.
Minister Hayward said: “This is entrepreneurship. Our national entrepreneurship strategy, The Bermuda Entrepreneurship Blueprint, sets out to build a stronger base of small and medium-sized enterprises. Sport and recreation is a real part of that picture. Two of its five areas of focus are skills development and access to financing, and this programme delivers both.”
The four clubs entered the programme without current written business plans or up-to-date financial statements and completed it with both in place, together with costed revenue strategies. Site visits also enabled their plans to be tested against the facilities and physical spaces where they will be implemented.
To support the clubs as they move from planning to implementation, BEDC awarded each graduating club a $5,000 development grant, a total investment of $20,000 across Cohort 2. The funding is intended to help the clubs begin putting elements of their newly developed business plans into action.
William Spriggs, Director of BEDC’s Economic & Cooperative Development Unit and facilitator of the programme, said “Our sports clubs are important community institutions that provide places for our young people to develop, for families to gather and for communities to connect. But they are also organisations managing facilities, generating revenue, controlling expenses and making decisions about their long-term sustainability. Approaching those responsibilities with a business mindset strengthens not only the clubs themselves, but ultimately the communities they serve.”
The successful delivery of Cohort 2 and its graduation was also made possible through the dedication of Chelsea Warren, Economic & Cooperative Development Officer, and Tashae Thompson, Consultant to BEDC’s Economic & Cooperative Development Unit, who worked closely with the participating clubs throughout the programme.
Thompson, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the graduation, reflected on the business-planning journey by comparing it to building a foundation: before a club can build something successful and lasting, it must first ensure that its foundation is strong. The message reflected a recurring theme throughout an evening characterised by a focus on inspiration, community, and legacy.
The programme was made possible through joint funding from BEDC and the Department of Sport and Recreation, alongside technical support from BEDC, financial professionals, guest presenters and other specialists.
Tuesday, September 08, 2026
Police Boxing Compete in Mississauga
IslandStats.com
A Bermuda Police Service boxing squad recently visited Ontario, Canada to match skills against pugilists from the Peel Police at the Mississauga Convention Centre. This event was an International Charity Boxing Gala which was held to raise funds for charity organizations based in Ontario Canada. The organizations were Victim Services Toronto, ProAction COPS Kids and the JDASS Charitable Foundation.
Tyler “The Bermuda Triangle” Kendall was first to answer the bell for Team BPS, with an exhibition bout against Hon. Graham McGregor, the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism of Brampton North. His first time dabbling in the “sweet science”, Tyler looked anything but inexperienced as he went on to take the win by way of the crowd vote.
Next to enter the square circle for team BPS, was Elijah “Island Thunder” Richardson. His was a competitive bout. He used his superior conditioning to wear down his opponent Ash ”The Flash” Dhiman for a split decision victory.
Bermuda elite kickboxer, Krista “Fire” Dyer sealed yet another other victory for the visitors in a competitive bout against Brampton’s Nargis Sameh.
Ayesha “The Calm Before the Storm” Akbar, put on a more than impressive display in a hard fought bout against Laura “A Teimosa” Scott, which ended in a split decision in favour of the hometown girl.
Mounting valiant efforts against superior opponents on the night, Shakti “Gombey Warrior” Khafra and Khalid “The Bermuda Dark & Stormy” Pitcher, both had their matches halted before the final bell.
Vincent “Veeje” Dunigan Jr. unfortunately had his match called off after his opponent failed the pre-fight medical check.
Garon Wilkinson served as Head Coach of the team and was assisted by corner-men, Freeman Smith and Aaron Dyer.
Sunday, September 06, 2026
Curtain-Raiser Takes Centre Stage on live IslandStats Show
IslandStats.com
The domestic football campaign takes top billing this evening as the IslandStats Football Show broadcasts live at 6:00 pm to dissect the official opening of the Bermuda Football Association calendar.
With the 2026/27 season launching into action, the studio panel will break down the marquee fixtures and key storylines heralding the return of local football.
Discussion will center on:
Women's All-Star Showcase: A spotlight on the pre-season opener featuring the island’s top talent under opposing coaches Taznae Fubler and Kashintae Fox.
The Charity Cup: Full preview and tactical breakdown of the traditional curtain-raiser between heavyweights North Village Rams and Dandy Town.
Dudley Eve Trophy: Analysis of the group-stage matchups as teams begin their quest for the first major cup silverware, alongside the recently revised Match Day 2 schedule at Bernard Park.
Viewers can stream the broadcast live across digital platforms starting at 6:00pm.
Wednesday, September 02, 2026
Simmons Claims Bronze in Da Nang After Hard-Fought Campaign
IslandStats.com
Emma Simmons has secured a brilliant bronze medal in the Women’s Singles 3.5 50+ division at the International Pickleball Tournament in Da Nang, Vietnam, capping off a resilient tournament campaign.
Simmons displayed composure and tactical discipline throughout the knockout rounds on the international stage, bouncing back from a narrow semi-final setback to claim a place on the podium.
Simmons opened her medal charge in the quarter-finals, producing a clinical performance to overcome Tong Ho-man Rebeee 1-0 and advance to the final four.
The semi-final presented a formidable hurdle against eventual contender Prashanti Lakamsani. In a tense, tactical battle, Simmons ultimately fell 1-0, missing out on a spot in the championship decider by the narrowest of margins.
Undeterred, Simmons regrouped for the bronze medal playoff, where she delivered her finest performance of the day to defeat Kunpawee Aphichatabut 21-15 and seal a well-earned third-place finish.
Tuesday, September 01, 2026
Rosario Chosen as Host City for the 2029 Pan Am Junior Games
IslandStats.com
Rosario, Argentina, has been selected to host the 2029 Pan American Junior Games, marking the first time the Argentine city will stage the continental multi-sport event for young athletes.
The decision was announced on August 28, 2026, during the 64th Panam Sports General Assembly in Lima, Peru. Rosario defeated Guatemala City by 29 votes to 24 in the final selection by the 41 member countries of Panam Sports.
Both candidate cities presented their plans to the General Assembly, highlighting their sporting infrastructure, organizational capabilities and commitment to developing youth sport. Rosario’s successful bid reflects a decade of work to strengthen the city’s position within the South American sporting community.
More than 3,000 athletes from across the Americas are expected to participate in the 2029 Games, providing young competitors with an important international platform and an opportunity to gain experience in high-level competition.
Rosario Mayor Pablo Javkin welcomed the decision, describing it as the result of a ten-year effort to build the city’s sporting infrastructure and restore its role in South American sport.
The selection of Rosario adds another important milestone to the Pan American sporting calendar and underlines the region’s commitment to developing the next generation of athletes. With preparations now set to begin, attention will turn to ensuring that Rosario delivers a successful and memorable Games in 2029.
