The race for the Bermuda Premier Division title has been blown wide open following a series of breathtaking finishes that have reshaped the top of the standings. From clinical starts at the Devonshire Recreation Club to a hard-fought battle at the Police Field, the weekend's action has left fans and pundits alike debating the shifting landscape of promotion, relegation, and championship glory.
Tonight, the IslandStats Football Show will dive into every goal and controversial moment live at 6:00 pm. The panel will be joined by a powerhouse of local football expertise, including National Women’s Head Coach Naquita Robinson, alongside standout international stars Eva Frazzoni and Kenni Thompson, to break down the tactical shifts that defined the latest round.
The weekend’s headline act commenced on Friday night as the North Village Rams reignited their title defense with a clinical 5–1 victory over the Boulevard Blazers. The Rams surged to a three-goal lead within the first 16 minutes through strikes from Jonte Smith and a quick-fire double from Jai Bean, ensuring they remain firmly in the championship conversation.
This was followed by the Dandy Town Hornets—seeking their second trophy of the season—claiming the top spot with a 3–1 win over the Devonshire Cougars. However, their stay at the summit was challenged less than 24 hours later as the Devonshire Colts edged the Paget Lions 1–0 at the Police Field. A fifth-minute header from Jahzardae Samuels was enough to move the Colts onto 28 points, level with the Hornets. While the two sides are inseparable on goal difference, Dandy Town currently hold the technical advantage having conceded fewer goals.
The IslandStats panel will also look ahead to the four matches scheduled for Sunday and how they will further influence the increasingly tight standings. With only four points separating the bottom three sides, the relegation battle remains as intense as the fight for the crown at the top.
As the league prepares for its next highly anticipated round, the panel will analyze whether the current leaders can maintain their momentum or if the chasing pack, led by the Rams and the PHC Zebras, can stage a late-season surge for the silverware.
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Roberts Secures Silver after Las Vegas Final Battle
IslandStats.com
Bermudian pickleball standout Wenda Roberts has claimed her Second Silver Medal of the week while competing in the USA Pickleball Golden Ticket tournament in Las Vegas.
Representing the island in the 4.0/4.5 Women's Singles 65+ Age Group Division, Roberts battled through a challenging field at one of the sport's premier qualifying events.
The final saw Roberts face off against Jacqueline Pham in a high-stakes encounter. Despite a spirited performance, Roberts was unable to overcome her opponent, eventually going down in straight sets 11-4, 11-7. It was her second meeting with Pham during the competition, following a difficult opening round where she fell 11-3, 11-2 to the eventual gold medalist.
Roberts secured her place in the showcase final with a clinical victory in the semi-finals against Pauline Geraci. In a complete reversal of their earlier round-robin meeting—which Geraci won in straight sets—Roberts maintained her composure to triumph 11-7, 11-8. The victory demonstrated the Bermudian's resilience and tactical adaptability under pressure on the international stage.
The silver medal performance ensures Roberts remains a key figure to watch as the Golden Ticket series continues. With winners from these prestigious sanctioned events earning priority registration for the USA Pickleball National Championships, Roberts' consistent podium finishes have placed her in a strong position for the remainder of the season.
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Pickering & Selley lead the Way as Archery League Returns
IslandStats.com
Bermuda's Indoor Archery season is officially back in full swing following the launch of the National Archery Association of Bermuda’s bi-weekly league. The competition took place inside the St. George’s Community Center Gymnasium, where archers took to the line for the standard 18-meter indoor shoot.
Participants faced a rigorous test of focus and consistency, firing 60 arrows for a maximum possible score of 600. The opening day of the league saw both veteran internationals and rising stars among the early pacesetters.
Leading the Senior Divisions, Camerin Pickering emerged as the early frontrunner in the Recurve Men category, while Robin Selley claimed the top spot in the Recurve Women Division. Both athletes enter the season with significant momentum, having recently represented Bermuda on the global stage.
In other senior action, Jessica Bowers leads the Barebow Women field, and William Pickering holds the advantage in the Compound Men Division. William Pickering is no stranger to success at this venue, having previously set national records during indoor championship events.
The Youth Divisions also showcased impressive depth. Sophia Davidge leads the Recurve Under-17 Girls, while George Esterhuysen and Naseeha Talbot sit atop the Barebow Under-17 Boys and Compound Under-17 Girls leaderboards respectively. As the bi-weekly league continues, all eyes will be on whether these division leaders can maintain their consistency throughout the 12-week schedule.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Manders & Fisher lead Bermuda at Caribbean Championships
IslandStats.com
The Pickleball Association of Bermuda (PAB) has officially unveiled the Open Elite Team set to represent the island at the upcoming 2026 Caribbean Championships.
The selection follows a rigorous and comprehensive review process designed to ensure the most competitive squad takes to the court. PAB officials utilized a strict set of criteria, including international performance data, results from the National Championships, and current DUPR ratings—the global standard for pickleball skill assessment.
In a move to provide veteran leadership, Gavin Manders and Sasha Fisher have been named co-captains. Manders, a household name in Bermudian sport, brings a wealth of competitive experience, while Fisher's tactical presence is expected to be vital as the team faces the region's top talent.
The Men’s Elite team will sport a significantly different look at the 2026 Caribbean Championships, with two high-profile additions bolstered by the arrival of Jamie Stowe and Tom Mills.
The pair have been brought into the fold to replace Jaden Jones and Vince Chavez, who were mainstays of the previous campaign. The selection of Stowe and Mills reflects a clear strategic shift as the national program looks to inject fresh energy into a roster tasked with contending for regional dominance in one of the world's fastest-growing sports.
The transformation is not limited to the men’s side, as the Women’s Elite squad also sees a key personnel change. Lily Hallett has been officially drafted into the team, taking the place of Imani Phillips from last year's roster. These changes to the elite setup come as part of a comprehensive review by the Pickleball Association of Bermuda, which aims to capitalize on recent international performances and high DUPR ratings ahead of the tournament. With new talent integrated into the ranks, Bermuda's elite teams are preparing to face their Caribbean rivals with a revamped and highly competitive lineup.
The PAB confirmed that the final roster was also influenced by a specific "team role analysis," ensuring a balanced mix of aggressive attackers and defensive specialists. As pickleball continues its rapid ascent across the Caribbean, Bermuda’s elite squad will be looking to cement their status as a regional powerhouse when the tournament gets underway later this year.
Hosting the Caribbean Championships presents a defining opportunity for Bermuda to compete at the highest regional level on home soil.
“As National Director and Co-Captain, I feel the weight of it — and I welcome it,” said Gavin Manders. “This isn’t just about hosting. It’s about defending our ground, raising our standard, and showing the Caribbean exactly who Bermuda is when we compete together with intention.
This team is battle proven at the highest levels and understands the task at hand. We are preparing with purpose. And we’re going to hold each other accountable, because that’s what moments like this demand.
And while we battle, we lead. There will be young players in the stands watching how we respond to pressure, how we support each other, how we carry ourselves when it gets tough. That’s legacy. That’s culture.
On home soil, we plan on setting the tone right from the beginning. This is bigger than a tournament. It’s an opportunity to inspire the next generation.”
Men’s Team
• Gavin Manders (Co-Captain) • Benjamin Jones • Jamie Stowe (Player & Coach) • Tom Mills • Mical Russell
Bermuda has officially become the latest member association to launch the Concacaf Bigger Game Academy. This flagship "football for development" initiative is designed to turn schoolyards and local pitches into classrooms, using sport as a vehicle for personal growth, resilience, and social inclusion.
The Concacaf Bigger Game Academy launch in Bermuda represents a powerful collaboration between key local organizations, including the Bermuda School Sports Federation (BSSF), the Ministry of Education, the Bermuda Union of Teachers, and the Bermuda Football Association (BFA). This education-through-football initiative is represented by a dedicated leadership team, with Crenstant Williams serving as a representative for both the BFA and the Bermuda Union of Teachers, while Arnold Manders serves as the Sports Officer for the Ministry of Education. Martin Wolf, representing the BSSF, also plays a critical role in the initiative, which aims to turn community pitches into classrooms for essential life skills, including teamwork, resilience, and safeguarding.
The academy provides a structured 10-week curriculum that blends football drills with critical life lessons in teamwork, respect, and equality. Since its inception, the program has trained over 325 coaches across the region, impacting nearly 1,600 children.
Currently, a world-class team of facilitators—including Joe Supe, Nigel Linton, Olivia Graveley, and Tashana Vincent—are on the island under the guidance of lead facilitator Cristian Cubillas. They are working directly with local Physical Education teachers and students at the National Sports Center North Field to embed these standards into the Bermudian curriculum.
Bermuda Football Association Second Vice President and Head of Referees, Crenstant Williams, highlighted the tangible benefits this program brings to the island's schools and the quality of equipment being provided to ensure its success.
Williams said, “It’s really about developing grassroots... we have about 70 to 75 students from all across the island. They each received a T-shirt, backpack, and water bottles... each school received 10 footballs, bibs, and the teachers received rain jackets and ball bags.”
Concacaf aims to bring the Bigger Game Academy to all 41 Member Associations by 2027, ensuring safeguarding and child protection are at the heart of the regional game. For Bermuda, it’s a core pillar of a broader social responsibility platform that uses the power of football to forge a brighter future for the next generation.
