The 2026 Kappa Classic continued to provide a masterclass in youth football as the island’s rising stars descended upon the National Sports Center North Field for a day of relentless attacking play.
From the clinical finishing in the Under 7 brackets to the tactical stalemates in the girls' divisions, the "premier youth spectator event" lived up to its reputation. Across multiple groups, several teams established themselves as early frontrunners with dominant scoring displays and disciplined defensive lines.
The youngest competitors set the tone for the afternoon with some of the highest-scoring matches of the tournament.
Group C: X-Roads Black delivered the most emphatic result of the day, netting nine unanswered goals against Hamilton Parish YSP. Group D: Boulevard CC followed suit with an equally impressive 8-0 victory over NVCC White. Group F: North Village Community Club (NVCC) Red found their rhythm early, cruising to a 7-0 win against SCC Black. Group E: FC Bascome showcased their attacking pedigree with a 6-1 triumph over St. George's Colts. Group B: Devonshire Colts Orange remained clinical, overcoming PHC Blacks 5-1. Group A: Warwick Football Academy (WFA) Real Madrid rounded out the high-scoring trend with a 3-0 win over Dandy Town Golds.
In the Under 9 categories, the intensity remained high as the race for group supremacy tightened.
U9 Girls (Group A): WFA Inter produced the standout performance of the division, putting eight goals past Devonshire Colts in their morning clash before following it up with a 3-0 win over BFLA Reds. In a tighter affair, Devonshire Colts bounced back to edge BHSFC Yellow 3-0. U9 Boys: Dandy Town Hornets Browns dominated Group E, while PHC Zebras Blacks surged in Group F with a 6-0 win over Devonshire Colts White. U9 Girls (Group B): Defenses were harder to break down here, with both PHC Lady Zebras and BFLA Blacks securing narrow 1-0 victories over BHSFC Blue and WFA Napoli respectively.
The Under 11 division was defined by defensive discipline, with three of the four featured matches ending in shutouts.
Group A: BFLA Blacks proved too strong for St. David's Lady Warriors in a 5-0 win, while BHSFC Blue secured a 3-0 victory against WFA Liverpool. Group B: Vasco YP impressed with a 4-0 win over BHSFC Yellow. The most competitive match of the age group saw PHC Lady Zebras and WFA Manchester battle to a 1-1 draw, with neither side able to find a late winner.
The Under 7 Girls closed out the session with two clinical displays. BHSFC secured a 3-0 victory over PHC Lady Zebras in Group A, while Devonshire Colts showed great poise to defeat BFLA 2-0.
The 2026 Kappa Classic continued its tradition of high-energy youth football as the second day of action saw more than 1,000 young athletes descend upon the National Sports Center and Devonshire Recreation Club.
With the group stages in full swing, the focus shifted from opening-day nerves to clinical finishing, with several teams establishing themselves as early favorites for silverware.
At the North Field, the Under 7 and Under 9 divisions provided some of the most lopsided and exciting results of the day.
Dandy Town Hornets Browns 8-0 X-Roads Purple (U9 Boys): The Browns produced the most dominant display of the morning in Group E. Their relentless attacking pressure overwhelmed X-Roads, with the Hornets finding the net eight times in a masterclass of youth finishing.
Warwick Football Academy Inter 5-0 BHS FC Yellow (U9 Girls): Warwick’s girls’ program continues to shine. In Group A, the Inter side showcased exceptional passing and movement to secure a comfortable five-goal victory, keeping a vital clean sheet in the process.
PHC Zebras Blacks 6-0 Devonshire Colts White (U9 Boys): The Zebras signaled their intent in Group F with a physical and fast-paced performance. Their six-goal haul reinforces PHC’s status as a perennial powerhouse in the Kappa ranks.
Devonshire Colts Black 4-2 Hamilton Parish YSP (U7 Boys): In a tighter Group C encounter, the Colts showed great resilience to outlast Hamilton Parish in a six-goal thriller, proving that even at the Under 7 level, the competitive spirit is alive and well.
Over at the "Rec," the older age groups faced off in matches defined by defensive structure and narrow margins.
PHC Zebras 5-0 Southampton Rangers (U15 Boys): The Zebras’ Under 15 squad mirrored the success of their younger counterparts. In a clinical Group A performance, they put five past the Rangers, controlling the midfield from the opening whistle to the final buzzer.
BFLA Blacks 4-0 BHS FC Yellow (U13 Girls): The BFLA Blacks demonstrated why they are highly regarded in the girls' division, using a blend of speed and technical skill to sweep aside BHS FC Yellow with four unanswered goals.
Somerset Trojans Red 4-0 Dandy Town Hornets (U15 Boys): The Trojans claimed bragging rights in this storied rivalry. Somerset’s Reds were clinical in front of goal, punishing defensive errors to secure a significant four-goal cushion against the Hornets.
PHC Zebras 1-0 Dandy Stars (U15 Girls): Perhaps the most tactical match of the day took place in Group A. The Zebras and the Dandy Stars were locked in a stalemate for much of the game before the Zebras found the solitary goal needed to edge out their rivals in a tense, high-stakes encounter.
With the preliminary rounds concluding, the focus now turns to the knockout stages. The atmosphere across both venues suggests that the 2026 edition is set for a grandstand finish as the island's rising stars chase regional glory.
Wells Backs Trevo Academy & Next Gen Bermuda Stars
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s talismanic forward Nahki Wells has thrown his weight behind the newly formed Trevo Academy, calling on families across the island to embrace a program designed to bridge the gap between local talent and professional excellence.
The Luton Town striker, and one of Bermuda’s most successful footballing exports, provided a glowing endorsement for the academy, which is set to begin its inaugural sessions this summer. For Wells, the initiative represents more than just a coaching clinic—it is a vital give-back from some of the island’s most established professional figures.
The academy is the brainchild of three of Bermuda’s "brightest talents," who are seeking to utilize their collective experience in the professional game to nurture the future generation. While the names of the founding trio remain a core part of the academy's identity, the focus is firmly on the professional standards they have cultivated overseas.
"I just want to take the time out to encourage the youngsters and the kids of Bermuda to join Trevo Academy which is starting this summer," Wells said in a message to young athletes. "It’s three of Bermuda’s brightest talents who are looking to give back to the youngsters and the future generations and taking their experience and their professional experience to give back to the community".
Wells, a prominent ambassador for the project, emphasized that the academy offers a unique environment for development that he believes is essential for the island's progression on the global stage. The program aims to instill the discipline and technical proficiency required at the highest levels of the sport.
"It will be a great experience and who better from Bermuda's best talents and the future generation," Wells added, urging parents to get their children involved early.
The launch of Trevo Academy comes at a pivotal time for Bermudian football, as the island continues to produce athletes capable of reaching the professional ranks in Europe and North America.
Families interested in the program can now register for the summer sessions, as the island's footballing community looks to see if the next Nahki Wells is currently waiting in the wings.
Trevo Academy: For more information on registration and upcoming summer schedules, visit trevoacademy.com or follow @trevoacademy on Instagram.
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Local Youth Stars Shine as Kappa Classic Returns
IslandStats.com
The 2026 Kappa Classic officially roared into life across the National Sports Center North Field and the Devonshire Recreation Club, cementing its status as the most highly anticipated youth tournament on the island’s sporting calendar.
In what has grown from a modest Pee Wee competition into a sprawling three-day extravaganza, the opening session provided immediate drama in the Under 13 division. Dandy Town Browns laid down an early marker in Group A, edging out a resilient Southampton Rangers side 1-0 in a contest defined by tactical discipline. The group grew even more competitive shortly after as Warwick Football Academy Boca delivered a statement performance, cruising to a 3-0 victory over FC Bascome Gold.
The goal-scoring intensity continued in Group B, where St. George's Colts emerged victorious in a six-goal thriller against North Village Rams White. The Colts’ clinical finishing proved to be the difference in their 4-2 win, while over in Group D, the PHC Zebras Whites showed their championship pedigree with a disciplined 2-0 win over Vasco YP Greens.
It was a similarly competitive start for the girls’ divisions, where the Under 15 Group A action produced a tactical battle between the PHC Zebras and BFLA Blacks. In a match of few chances, the Zebras found the decisive breakthrough to claim a vital 1-0 win, setting the tone for a weekend of football that continues to prioritize sportsmanship and achievement.
With more than 1,000 young athletes set to take the pitch over the coming days, the opening results suggest that the 2026 edition of the "premier youth spectator event" is poised to be the most competitive to date.
Grant & Gillingham Grind Out Vital Away Win at Cambridge
IslandStats.com
Gillingham FC’s Academy continued their impressive run of form securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Cambridge United to maintain their push at the top of the youth standings.
In a contest defined by tactical discipline and clinical finishing, the young Gills showed great resilience to take all three points back to Kent. Among the traveling squad was Bermuda’s Nayan Grant, who played his part in a cohesive team performance that stifled the hosts for much of the afternoon.
The breakthrough came via Callum Erskine, whose composed finish gave Gillingham the early momentum their industrious play deserved. While Cambridge searched for a route back into the match, the Gills' backline held firm, allowing the visitors to catch the hosts on the break.
The decisive blow was struck by Henry Broster, whose goal proved to be the winner in a tightly contested second half. Although Cambridge managed to pull a goal back to set up a nervy finale, Gillingham’s game management shone through in the closing stages.
The result marks another successful road trip for the Gillingham Academy, further highlighting the strength of a development program that continues to provide a platform for emerging talents like Grant to test themselves against the region's best. With the win secured, the focus for the Gills now shifts to a home double-header as they look to consolidate their league position.
