Cup Match Sportsmanship Award Ceremony
On Thursday [Aug 13] The Bermuda Friendly Societies Association [BFSA] will hold its 12th Annual Cup Match Sportsmanship Award ceremony at Manchester Unity Lodge Hall in Hamilton [opposite the People’s Pharmacy] commencing at 7 p.m.
“The active membership of the Association comprises seven Lodges – the Loyal Mayflower Lodge, The Flower of the Day Lodge, the Princess Royal Union Lodge, the Somers Pride of India Lodge, Alexandrina Lodge, the Household of Ruth 61 and the Loyal Irresistible Lodge,” the BFSA said.
“The awardee this year is Mr. Kyle Hodsoll of the St. George’s Cup Match team, who, in the opinion of the Cup Match umpires, best exemplified the principles of good sportsmanship and fair play throughout the 2015 Annual Cricket Classic.
“This year, the ceremony at Manchester Unity Hall will feature former Somerset Cup Match Captain and cricket commentator, Mr. Randolph Horton, as the guest speaker and former St. Georges Cup Match player and National Team Umpire, Mr. Wilbur Pitcher, as the guest presenter.
“It will be recalled that the precursor to Cup Match followed the abolition of slavery here in Bermuda. People in Bermuda began to take an ‘unauthorized’ day off from work to celebrate the anniversary of the abolition of slavery, better known as Emancipation Day. It became customary to hold annual picnics all over the island to mark the occasion.
“One of the highlights of the picnics was a friendly cricket match played between the Lodges from the East and West ends of the Island. This match involved men from the Loyal Victoria & Albert Lodge, in Somerset and the Somers Pride of India Lodge in St. George’s, who began to meet annually in friendly rivalry on the cricket pitch.
“In 1901, during the cricket match between the two Friendly Societies, it was suggested by Mr. John Hotter Symonds that the teams play for an Annual Trophy. Members of the Friendly Societies and Lodges raised funds and, in 1902, a silver cup to be played for annually was introduced. The first “Cup” Match was played in St. George’s.
“This award was instituted in 2003 by the Bermuda Friendly Societies Association to recognize and perpetuate the link of OddFellows with the origin of the Classic.
“The winner is presented with a number of prizes which include the Friendly Societies Association Shield, the Emancipation Cup, the Clarence O. Darrell Cup, a personal keepsake cup and other gifts. In the first year, the award was presented to Mr. Clay Smith of St. Geo. CC. The last winner [in 2014] was Terryn Fray of Somerset.”
