Berkeley Joins Elite Ranks with All-American Selection
IslandStats.com
Bermudian rugby standout Nisaiah Berkeley has been named a 2025 National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) All-American, cementing her status as one of the premier talents in the United States collegiate system.
Berkeley, an Exercise Science student at Wheeling University, emerged from a colossal pool of nearly 20,000 players across 632 programs to earn the prestigious honors. Her selection places her among the top echelon of Division I athletes recognized for their consistency, impact, and high-level performance throughout the season.
The 2025 All-American roster reflects a broad spectrum of talent, representing 117 programs from coast to coast. For Berkeley, the recognition is a culmination of a dominant period at Wheeling, where she played a pivotal role in the program's undefeated run to a National 15s title in their inaugural season.
Women’s Director Alycia Washington noted the exceptional difficulty of this year's selection process.
"The level of talent recognized in this year’s Women’s All-American selections is exceptional," said Washington. "Across every division, these athletes set the standard for competitive excellence."
Berkeley's impact at Wheeling has been undeniable since she joined the "Cardinals". Her tenure has been defined by landslide victories, including an 87-0 season opener against Penn State and a 108-3 victory over Walsh University that clinched a postseason berth.
Beyond her physical prowess on the pitch, Berkeley’s leadership was honored during Wheeling's Senior Night this past season, marking her transition from a rising star to an established leader in the locker room.
With her collegiate career reaching new heights, Berkeley remains a vital ambassador for Bermudian rugby as she continues to compete at the sharp end of the American collegiate circuit.
Wednesday, February 04, 2026
Engineer Tackling UK Rugby Scene: The Rise of Jordan Mallory
IslandStats.com
While most 19-year-olds are still finding their feet at University, Bermudian standout Jordan Mallory is busy programming a future in artificial intelligence and dismantling defensive lines on the rugby pitch.
The Southampton Solent University student, currently balancing the rigors of an AI Engineering degree with elite-level sport, has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in the Atlantic-European rugby pipeline.
Mallory’s journey began in the grassroots trenches of Beyond Rugby Bermuda, a program known for building character as much as athletic prowess. Her impact was immediate; she swept the "Rookie of the Year" and "MVP" awards, marking her as a generational talent.
That domestic dominance paved the way for a call-up to the prestigious Teachers Rugby Football Club (TRFC) and, ultimately, the Bermuda Rugby Football Union’s (BRFU) highest individual youth honours. For two consecutive years—2024 and 2025—Mallory was named the Youth Player of the Year, a testament to her consistency and work ethic.
Mallory’s transition to the international stage was seamless. As a vital cog in the Bermuda Women’s National 7s team, affectionately known as the "Dark n Stormys," she has carried the island’s flag to major tournaments in New York City and the Grand Cayman.
Her ability to read the game—perhaps aided by her analytical mind—has made her a constant threat in the 7s format, where space and speed are paramount.
Now based in the UK, Mallory has wasted no time making her mark on the English game. She currently juggles two major commitments:
Solent Women’s Rugby: Leading the charge for her university side in the BUCS leagues. Millbrook RFC: Dominating the local league circuit with a side that remains undefeated so far this season.
The move to Millbrook has provided Mallory with the physical, 15-a-side experience necessary to complement her 7s speed, creating a dual-threat player that Bermuda will likely lean on for years to come.
As Mallory continues to bridge the gap between high-tech engineering and high-intensity rugby, she remains a blueprint for the modern student-athlete.
Sunday, February 01, 2026
Lomas & Hodgkins' Pride Locked in Stalemate
IslandStats.com
Jamin Hodgkins and his Pacific Pride teammates produced a vastly improved defensive display to secure a gritty 26-26 draw against Meraloma, stemming a run of high-scoring defeats in the BC Rugby Premier League. Having conceded an average of nearly 50 points per game over their last three outings, the Pride’s "development-first" squad found the resolve to keep the Lomas at bay in a physical encounter at Connaught Park.
The result has significant implications for the bottom half of the table. The two points gained take the Lomas to 15 points from 12 games, moving them into 8th place ahead of Castaway Wanderers with a 1.25 points-per-match average. Despite the improved performance, the Pride remain rooted to 10th with five points from six games, averaging 0.83 ppm.
The Pride’s coaching staff opted for rotation in the engine room, promoting the second row from the reserves and handing Theo Espagnol a start at hooker. The backline, however, was notably missing Jacob Ince and Thomas Cuzange, with both players believed to be at a national 7s selection camp ahead of the SVNS 2 tournament in Nairobi on February 14th.
Bermudian utility back Hodgkins provided a steadying influence for the Pride from fullback, while the half-back pairing of Chris Rose and Jean-Louis Desgouttes remained unchanged to provide tactical continuity.
Meraloma relied heavily on their veteran core to navigate the stalemate, with Conor O’Brien returning to the second row and Marcus Ale stepping up from the reserves to start at Number 8. The insertion of New Zealander Malachi Te Rore – King at outside centre added the anticipated scoring spark, but it wasn't enough to overcome a Pride side that looked far more organized than in previous weeks.
The Pride now head into a bye week to reflect on their best defensive showing of the season, while the Lomas prepare for a daunting trip to face league-leaders Westshore.
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Berkeley & Stripes Crowned All-Star Champions
IslandStats.com
Bermudian rugby standout Nisaiah Berkeley and her Stripes teammates were left celebrating in Georgia after clinching the Women’s All-Star Championship XVs title.
In a high-intensity assembly of collegiate talent at Silverbacks Park, the Stripes navigated a challenging round-robin schedule to secure the hardware. The tournament featured four elite regional sides—the Hawks, Bison, Stars, and Stripes—competing in 40-minute matches designed to showcase the premier talent in the National Collegiate Rugby system.
Berkeley, an Exercise Science student at Wheeling University and a national championship winner with the Cardinals, was an integral part of a Stripes unit that displayed both attacking flair and defensive grit. The champions got their campaign off to a flyer, recording a convincing 14 - 10 victory over the Hawks to set the pace at the top of the table.
The next match saw the Stripes overcome the Bison team 24 - 12
With the title on the line in their final fixture, the Stripes faced a stern test against the Stars. In what many thought would be a tightly contested battle, Berkeley’s side held their nerve to secure a 28 - 12 win, ensuring they finished the tournament undefeated and as clear winners of the inaugural XVs showcase.
For Berkeley, the victory adds another prestigious title to an already glittering collegiate resume. Having been a key figure in Wheeling’s undefeated run to a national 15s title last autumn, her selection and subsequent success at the All-Star event further cements her reputation as one of the most promising Bermudian athletes currently competing in the United States.
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Cassidy Stars as Renegades Dominate High-Scoring Rugby
IslandStats.com
Jessica Cassidy delivered a masterclass in clinical finishing at the National Sports Centre as the Renegades dismantled Police in a high-scoring Women's League encounter.
In a performance that will live long in the memory of those at the North Field, Cassidy crossed the whitewash a staggering six times to spearhead a 54-15 victory.
The Renegades’ offensive was relentless throughout, with Beth Magill and Nakato Luzuka both contributing early tries to set the tempo. Michelle Croghan and Ashley Godek further extended the lead, while Laura Mulligan provided the accuracy from the tee with two successful conversions to cap off a dominant afternoon.
Despite the scoreline, Police showed flashes of their trademark resilience. Akila Ciara was a constant threat, securing two hard-earned tries, while Kailey Deluka also found a gap in the Renegades’ defense to score. However, they were ultimately overwhelmed by the speed and tactical execution of a Renegades backline that seemed to find space at will.
The day's opening fixture proved to be a much closer affair, as the Teachers relied on their veteran experience to secure a 24-17 win over a spirited Bermudianas side.
The match was a showcase of rising talent and established stars. Nya Heyliger was the architect of the Teachers' victory, recording two tries with powerful runs through the heart of the Bermudianas' defense. Christiana Halliday and Somaia Saltus added single scores to keep the scoreboard ticking over, while the boot of Lysmeire Santana and Heidi Groves proved decisive, with both players slotting vital conversions.
The Bermudianas, a team built on the island's most promising youth players, pushed the league leaders to the final whistle. Zaria Codrington was the standout performer for the youthful side, scoring twice to keep the contest in the balance until the closing stages. Philipa Duarte also added a try, and Savana Greenslade’s conversion brought the Bermudianas within a single score, but the Teachers' defense held firm to maintain their winning start to the campaign.
