Assistant Referees Pass FIFA Fitness Test for 2026 List
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s two FIFA Listed Assistant Referees, Stefan Maybury and Clinton Hayward, have successfully passed the rigorous annual FIFA Physical Test at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium, ensuring their re-inclusion on the official FIFA Assistant Referee List for 2026.
The successful passing of the fitness test reflects the dedication and hard work of both officials and underscores the quality development within the Bermuda Football Association's referee program.
Hayward and Maybury were first appointed to the official FIFA List of International Match Officials in late 2021 for the 2022 season, and have maintained their place on the list for subsequent years, including 2023 and 2025. They have been active on the international stage, having officiated in various CONCACAF tournaments, including the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup.
To remain on the prestigious list, assistant referees must pass the FIFA Fitness Test at least once a year. The test is comprehensive and includes three main components, requiring officials to perform on a stable surface such as an athletics track: Change of Direction Ability (CODA): This test assesses the assistant referee's ability to change direction. Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA): This measures their capacity to perform repeated sprints over 30 metres. Interval Test: This evaluates endurance, requiring the completion of 40 x 75m runs interspersed with 25m walking intervals, which equates to 10 laps of a 400m track.
Fellow Bermudian official Natasha Trott was appointed to the list at the same time as Hayward and Maybury, making history as the first Bermudian female official to receive the honour. However, she remains sidelined through injury, having previously passed the AR fitness test and officiated in CONCACAF tournaments.
Saturday, December 06, 2025
Bermuda Duo Claims Senior Doubles Title in Cayman Open
IslandStats.com
Bermuda continues to make its mark on the regional pickleball scene, with Leslie Jackson and Emma Simmons crowned the Senior Women's Doubles 3.5 / Open Age: 50 And Above Champions at the Total Health Cayman Islands Open.
The Bermudian pair, Leslie Jackson and Emma Simmons, delivered a highly successful campaign to secure the championship title at Pickleball Cayman in Grand Cayman.
In the final, Jackson and Simmons defeated the pairing of Len Ibuyat and Isabella Settanni with a deciding score of 15-12, securing the gold medal.
Their path to the final included a dominant performance in the Semi-Final, where they defeated Jules Fenn and Natasha Lymbery with a comfortable 15-4 victory.
Jackson and Simmons set the tone early, remaining undefeated throughout the round-robin portion of the tournament.
They defeated Alida Ali and Tracy Durfy 11-1.
They also secured a close victory over Tammy Goldfisher and Lilian Farkas 11-9.
The success of Jackson and Simmons is a testament to the growth of the senior pickleball divisions in Bermuda, continuing a trend of strong international results for the island's players.
Friday, December 05, 2025
Referee Corner Excellence in Action Live 5:30 pm
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.
Friday, December 05, 2025
Phillips & Semo Bow Out of Cayman Open Mixed Doubles
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s Imani Phillips continued her international campaign at the Total Health Cayman Islands Open, competing in the Mixed Doubles division alongside partner Yeniv Semo, but the duo faced an early exit from the main draw.
Phillips, who recently competed in the Women's Singles division, took to the court with Yeniv Semo for their Mixed Doubles Round 16 match against the team of Zsuzsanna Strommer Telek and Balint Bakó.
Telek and Bakó proved the stronger partnership on the day, advancing to the next round with a decisive straight-sets victory. Phillips and Semo went down 11-6, 11-0.
Following the main draw defeat, Phillips and Semo entered the consolation rounds. In the Back Draw Round 1, they faced Camila Mendes and Andre Mick. The Bermudian/Israeli partnership suffered another loss, falling 15-5.
The results bring an end to Phillips’s tournament campaign in the Cayman Islands, providing valuable high-level experience against international competition.
Thursday, December 04, 2025
Phillips Gains International Experience in Cayman Open
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s recently crowned National Women’s Singles champion, Imani Phillips, began her campaign at the Total Health Cayman Islands Open at Pickleball Cayman in Grand Cayman, facing tough competition in the Open Women's Singles category.
Phillips, who demonstrated her dominance locally by winning the Bermuda National Pickleball Women’s Singles title, faced a steep challenge in her opening international match.
In the Open Women's Singles Quarter-Finals, Phillips took on American player Alexa Schull. The American proved too strong, and Phillips ultimately went down in straight sets, losing 11-2, 11-2.
Following the Quarter-Final loss, Phillips took to the court for a Back Draw match where she faced another American player, Riley Bohnert.
Phillips put up a determined fight in the subsequent match but was narrowly defeated, going down 15-11.
Despite the defeats, competing against high-level opponents from the United States provides crucial international experience for Phillips as she continues to raise her game on the regional circuit.
