As promised Islandstats.com, we will be posting a 2014 Year In Review.
Because we have covered most Local Sports there is much to report, so unlike others that can fit a Year of Sports in one or two pages we will be posting a couple of sports per day beginning today to make sure you have the opportunity to review each sport.
Today we continue with Cycling and Netball.
CYCLING
2014 was another busy year for the Bermuda Bicycle Association. Once again they had a very active local racing scene in both Mountain Biking and Road Racing. In addition to the recreation racing they had their most busy year in quite some time on the international competition front. The BBA’s development efforts in the schools continued to attract new athletes to the sport.
The local racing scene continues to grow and this is a result of a few factors. The organizers of the various events (more than 30 in the year) have all found ways to bring new people into the sport. In Mountain Biking, the Fat Tire Massive group has put countless hours into developing the trails at various parks and structuring events to make the off-road discipline more approachable. In Road Racing the publicity of the achievements of top athletes has raised the awareness of cycle racing in the community and brought new participants to events.
Internationally Nicole Mitchell and Dominque Mayho both competed at the Pan American Road Championships in Mexico and then the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Late in the year they were joined by Zoenique Williams in Mexico for the CAC Games. Zoenique and Nicole both Medaled at the Caribbean Cycling Championship as did junior cyclist Tyler Smith (two medals) in October. Junior Gabby Arnold became the first Bermudian cyclist to earn a college scholarship for Cycling and in her first season was a part of the Collegiate National Track Championship team of Marian University.
NETBALL
Bermuda Netball 2014 saw completion of a successful domestic Junior and Senior Winter League and Ssummer League, with one overseas tour of three Under 16 players representing Bermuda in the Jean Pieŕre Tournament in Barbados.
2014 Netball Fever Camp was a success with over 25 participants of Primary School Age students. This generated interest from several new players.
The BNA anticipate 2015 to be a year to showcase Under 19 talent with international competition and exposure. The senior National Team is rebuilding, with the hopes of restarting the Tri-series competitions between USA and Canada. Fast 5 netball will be introduced in the near future with tournament style play.
North Village Lady Rams won the Disney International Youth Netball Tournament Plate Title, Gina Benjamin and Marissa Brangman were also officials at the event. The Young Men Social Club Lady Bluebirds won the Summer League Knockout Tournament, the Sylvia Eastley Netball Tournament and League Title.
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