BFSA To Host Sportsmanship Award Ceremony
On Thursday, 11th August, the Bermuda Friendly Societies Association [BFSA] will hold its 13th Annual Cup Match Sportsmanship Award ceremony at Manchester Unity Lodge Hall in Hamilton [opposite the People’s Pharmacy] commencing at 7 p.m.
The BFSA said, “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 and The Loyal Irresistible Lodge.
“The awardee this year is Mr. Steven Outerbridge of the Somerset Cup Match Team who, in the opinion of the Cup Match umpires, best exemplified the principles of good sportsmanship and fair play throughout the 2016 Annual Cricket Classic.
“This year, the ceremony at Manchester Unity Hall will feature former Somerset Cup Match Captain and National Team Player, Mr. Lionel Cann, as the guest speaker and former Somerset Club President, Mr. Erwyn Bean, as the guest presenter.
“It is anticipated that Cup Match Team members from both the East and the West will also be in attendance for this signature post-Cup Match event as well as representatives from both the Bermuda Government and the Opposition and other distinguished guests.
“This award was instituted in 2003 by the Association and first presented to Mr. Clay Smith of the St. Georges CC in 2004. The winner is presented with a number of prizes which include the Bermuda Friendly Societies Association Shield, the Emancipation Cup, the Clarence O. Darrell Cup, a personal keepsake cup, and other gifts.
“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 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.
“History buffs will recall that, in 1947, two official public holidays were introduced to be observed every year on the Thursday and Friday closest to 1st August.
“The first day of Cup Match was officially designated to represent Emancipation Day in 1999 while the second day, Somers Day, commemorates the arrival here of Admiral Sir George Somers who colonized these Islands in 1609.”
