MSA Leading the Way in the Future of Bermudian Sport
IslandStats.com
Mount Saint Agnes Academy (MSA) has taken the spotlight in the latest installment of the IslandStats.com School Sports Round-up, showcasing a vibrant culture where student-athletes and alumni are redefining the school’s sporting legacy.
Driven by student-led journalism and the physical education department, MSA is proving that its commitment to excellence extends far beyond the classroom and onto the courts and pitches of Bermuda.
The current crop of "Saints" are already making waves across multiple disciplines. For Phoenix Williams, a standout on the middle school basketball team, the school has been a catalyst for technical growth. "MSA has helped me become a better basketball player because it’s improved my dribbling, shooting, and teamwork," Williams noted, adding that the sport has instilled a vital sense of "responsibility and discipline" both on and off the court.
That sentiment is echoed by Stasio Rayner-Weller, an 11th-grade varsity Basketball player and Bermuda National Team representative. For Rayner-Weller, the game has been a passport to new horizons. "Basketball has allowed me to travel and meet new opportunities," he said, crediting his coaches and family for a journey that has fostered leadership and academic focus.
The school’s athletic reach is impressively broad: Volleyball: Middle school player Reese McAlpine highlighted the importance of being a "team player" while representing both MSA and the Paradise Hitters. Meanwhile, high schooler Daniel Smith is leveraging the expertise of BVA club experience to push the varsity team to new heights. Football: Caleb Booth is a prime example of the school’s developmental pathway. After a successful season that saw the MSA under-16 and over-16 six-a-side teams finish second in the island, Booth was scouted for a developmental trip to Portugal.
Perhaps the most striking element of the MSA program is its deep-rooted connection with its alumni. Juanita Blee (Class of '85) and Valerie Martins (Class of '93) have both returned to the school to coach volleyball, bringing decades of national-level experience back to the students.
"It’s wonderful working with the kids and giving back to volleyball and the youth," Blee remarked. Martins agreed, emphasizing the importance of passing on a "love and passion" for the game to the next generation of Saints.
For Naquita Robinson, PE teacher and Bermuda Women's National Coach, the priority remains the holistic development of the student. "Developmentally, we need to make sure that they are still having fun and enjoying the game so they stay in the game longer," Robinson explained. "The longer you stay in the game, the more you learn about the game."
As student reporter Keyara Signor summarized while standing alongside the school’s mascot, "The future of sports is faster, smarter, and stronger—and it begins right here at MSA."
With a foundation built on faith, family values, and a genuine passion for competition, Mount Saint Agnes Academy continues to ensure that in their halls, every player matters.
