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IslandStats.com

www.islandstats.com has received the Bermuda Football Associations Competitions Committee response to the article regarding Goose Gosling field.

While the BFA Executive Council doesn’t normally engage in public discourse with one of our member clubs, having read the article on IslandStats attributed to BAA President Mike McGrath, it is important to bring clarity to the issues of safety at Goose Gosling Field that he has raised.

Communication was received by the Association from the Bermuda Referees Association that the referees have withdrawn their services from Goose Gosling Field until player and match official safety concerns are adequately addressed based on the condition of some parts of the artificial field.

BFA Competitions Committee conducted a site visit along with BAA President Mike McGrath. At that time, Mr. McGrath indicated that while some of the materials needed to rectify the identified issues were already in hand, completion of the work was dependent on sustained dry weather conditions. This was particularly relevant to the field line markings, which were acknowledged to pose a trip hazard. Mr. McGrath indicated that he agreed with this reality.

The BAA President McGrath further stated that temporary solutions could be implemented to mitigate other issues—specifically, securing the goals and addressing the inoperable gate latches surrounding the perimeter fencing. It was agreed at the time that using zip ties could serve as an effective short-term measure for the gate latches. Mr. McGrath’s statement—expressing confusion about the concern regarding the fencing raised in the BFA’s email is disingenuous.

During the field inspection , Mr. McGrath questioned why these concerns were only now being raised, given that the venue had been used during the U23 tournament. It was indicated that these concerns were recently raised by the BRA in preparation for the upcoming season and a response to them is required along with a plan to resolve them.

As it relates to violence, as an associate member, it would have been constructive and courteous to initiate a dialogue with members of the Association to discuss any perceived security or safety concerns before making the unilateral decision to withdraw Goose Gosling Field. Particularly because the BAA President and Board Members would have been able to avail themselves of intelligence, information, expertise and reports that bring the events at Bernard Park into context.

To use that incident as a reason to withdraw Goose Gosling Field is again disingenuous. The recent incident at Bernard Park is being addressed by the BFA Disciplinary Committee, and at least one club has already taken proactive steps to prevent a recurrence.

The BFA Competitions Committee will work with the clubs who are affected by this unfortunate decision to ensure they are accommodated at other grounds. Despite the incident at Bernard’s Park as well as other recent antisocial and violent incidents that have happened in Bermuda, football has proven to be the necessary sporting and social activity to bring people together despite our differences and we anticipate the football season continuing with little interruption.