Govt Presents $75,000 To SCC For Cup Match
Government presented a $75,000 cheque to Somerset Cricket Club to assist with hosting the Cup Match event, saying “this increased level of support from the Bermuda Government is essential to ensure that as country we uphold our cultural traditions.”
Premier David Burt said, “One of the best parts about the Cup Match holiday is the sense of community and national pride it evokes throughout our island each year.
“Whether you’re a Somerset fan, a St. George’s fan, or simply a cricket fan – Cup Match is the time when we join together to celebrate our traditions, recognize our rich heritage, and of course – it’s a time to spend with family and with friends.
“The Cup Match Classic is so much more than a two-day cricket game. It is an event steeped Bermuda history.
“More than 100 years ago, a precursor to Cup Match was established following the abolition of slavery in Bermuda. Men and women from Somerset and St. George gathered to observe and celebrate Emancipation Day on August 1, 1834.
“The celebration of Emancipation, and a friendly game of cricket evolved into what we now know and love – the two-day Cup Match Classic.
“Beginning in 1902, Friendly Societies donated a cup that would forever be fought between the east and west to commemorate our emancipation. This became known as Cup Match.
“Cup Match is one of my favorite times of year,” the Premier continued.
“It’s also a very busy time for the hosting cricket club. For several months before the big game, an incredible amount of time, effort and resources are spent preparing the host club and grounds.
“This involves getting the pitch primed and ready; upgrading the club facilities, as needed; and ensuring that the scaffolding around the field is safely constructed.
“There is a significant financial investment in the event. The host clubs are appreciative of the corporate community for their sponsorship and support; and the corporate communities should not be alone. This Government believes there are always opportunities to do more.
“That’s why today, it is my honour to present a check to the Somerset Cricket Club, on behalf of the Government of Bermuda from the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism.
“The Ministry of Economic Development & Tourism is working with Somerset Cricket Club to ensure that the events related to the Cup Match weekend can be better promoted to enhance this uniquely Bermudian celebration.
“The support we have given to Somerset Cricket Club does not stop at just the Ministry responsible for tourism. The Ministry of Finance has waived on the duty equipment that was imported to assist with the construction of the scaffolding.
“The Ministry of Public Works has provided: open skip bins; event bins for recycling and for general trash; 1,000 blue bags for vendors and held education programmes for vendors to encourage and to increase recycling; additionally they have waived the fee for dumping at Tynes Bay.
“This increased level of support from the Bermuda Government is essential to ensure that as country we uphold our cultural traditions.
“In the coming years, the Ministries of Social Development and Sports, Economic Development and Tourism National Security and Public Works will allocate funds for the Cup Match Classic’s home club.
“On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, I commend Somerset Cricket Club President, Mr. Vashun Blanchette, the Secretary Ms. Joella Dawn Simmons and the all club officers for their hard work in preparing the grounds in anticipation of the 2018 Classic. The government has been working with them for a number of months to ensure they have what they need to ensure this year’s event is a success.
“I also extend a heartfelt good luck to both cricket teams and I wish all of Bermuda a safe and happy holiday weekend. Happy Cup Match!”
sorry, the wall has been repaired already
WTF? Really? 75K – why? How are these clubs not making a ton of money? I haven’t been it the last two or three years but from what I remember it cost $10pp entry? Lets go with a conservative 5,000 people per day x 2 days is $100K. Then there are the fees for the corporate sponsorship signage and logos on the field. There are always a bunch of corporate tents that pay heavily. . Then there is income from all the family boxes which I’m sure are not cheap. The crown and anchor tables must pay to play and so do all the food and beverage vendors and liquor suppliers. In addition, the club makes a ton of money at their own bar at Cupmatch prices ALL day and night. If they are not profiting $250K- $400K I would be surprised.
This money could have been better spent elsewhere! Like some club and association in need. Lets just call it what it is, getting votes.
It’s not about the votes. This is to trump the OBA for helping the club, and to try and cover up the remarks
All the money goes on the staging.
Hey Onion Breath, I know you’re lying.
You can do better than that.
Do you know who pays for the scaffolding? Take a guess.
I know and it is not the clubs.
Giveaways to buy votes. Since taxpayers’ money is going into SCC, can the taxpayer get to see the financial statements of the SCC (say in a few months from now) to see whether or not their money has been put to proper use??
Get what votes, Somerset is a PLP stronghold, if it were Paget East then you would have a point.
And to think of the fuss you made over Jetgate .
At least it didn’t cost us a nickel , much less $75,000
LOL @ OJ
People from all over the island go, so he does have a point. Even you, a moron, agrees.
LOL@OJ
This is just an attempt to cover up the issue with Burch. PLP trying to wash their hands.
Although I’m a Cup Match fanatic, and a St. George’s Boy 4 Life, I do hope that the government has $$$$ to do better for the seniors. They seem to continue to take 1st class trips and give out $$$ to these other causes, but as I watch my grandmother and the other senior citizens on island struggle with rising healthcare and other costs of living, out of their $2000 per month… They NEED more too!
Exactly ! Retired Prison, police officers and teachers haven’t had a pension rise for six years and apparently won’t be getting one any time soon, but there is enough money for a Cricket match !
Three days before Cup Match and suddenly money is falling out of the sky for facility upgrades.
Things that make you go…hmmmm
Did you all see te news tonight, some members of parliament were taped and they were sleeping !!!!! in the house of parliament..and to think they get payed to sleep,
Ya like when SpongeBob told seniors money dont grow on trees, then announces that they found $77 Million for a sailboat race for Billionaires.
Things that make you go WTF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Every time you say that you make yourself look like a moron.
He looks like a moron every time he posts what his overlords tell him to post. What’s funny though, he’s so stupid he doesn’t realise he posts contradictions all the time…LOL@OJ
So what has the return on cricket been again?……… i mean comsidering weve spent almost 15 million or more. What exactly has it done worth even talking about? And again seeing as u obviously cant or even wont read, that sail boat race generated over 100 million towards the economy. Mickey Mouse himself would clap for that. Lmao
Hey , at least that is better than eleven million for cricket .
Oh god here we go again.
Pretty interesting you would pay $75K 2 days prior to the event one only has to ask what is this for. I will guess that all of the prep work has put the club in the hole and hey they won’t make a dime from the camps and gate receipts …no its another handout I could be wrong but bet you im not if you can’t make money as the host of cupmatch maybe you need better management. But there goes our government giving away money …photo op guys……tax them and give it away that’s their MO …….you voted for them I didn’t and I never will
Kevin, you are spot on.
…..surely this is a joke??
The epitome of stupidity!!
Another monetary thing for votes.Is that all Jamahl can come up with .
Ok, so when does my SSC membership card arrive in the mail?
Minister Burch couldn’t make the photo op.
Hes probably still sleeping
Hilarious!!! Giving away money they do not have. Wish they were be so free to pay down the debt this island has as they are to give it away. SMFH. A real pathetic bunch.
97 Million for foreigners to host a sailboat race, 1 Billion in revenue given up so we could have a pretty airport but $75,000 to support a centuries old community event bothers you? And Pathetic Bunch? This from someone who can’t string together a proper sentence. *slaps forehead* * I can’t*
^^^^Bermudians, these are the people that lurk amongst us^^^^^
The same boat race that generated over 100 mill. Ya that one. Whats your point. They should have helped scc when they had the chance. But they didnt. Your enemy did. Too little too late.
The people who lurk amongst us are the liars like you who are still doing your best to repeatedly quote inaccurate numbers that have been proven wrong again and again .
Oh , and by the way , your thoughts on the new hospital wing compared to the airport deal ? ?
Hope you enjoy it watching your cost of living spiral out of control . And it’s going to get a lot worse but you’ll be happy just knowing that everyone else is furious.
“97 Million for foreigners to host a sailboat race, ”
Wow, you are that stupid.
It was $70M and returned over three hundred million….These are big numbers so I don’t expect you to be able to comprehend it, but perhaps you could ask a neighborhood kid to explain it?
I can not beieve we tax payers donated this amount of money at this late date to the Somerset cricket club !!!! what is the real reason ? we deserve to know.
Could have built a nice wall for that.
$75k less for schools, health care, roads etc, smh.
You are kidding right? $75,000 for what exactly? Surely there is a profit to be made as Mr Famous states that the rich get richer as a result of the Cup Match! I guess that’s what the $75,000 is for?
It’s gonna be a draw.
Government 0
People 0.
Irony
They should’ve returned it. Hypocrites
Let’s celebrate the abolition of slavery by playing a game that was taught to us by those that enslaved us.
#wokeisajoke
Come on. Cricket is a global pursuit, not something exclusively English. You might as well suggest that all black people stop playing football and tennis and golf with that bizarre line of thought.
Every year there are Cup Match sponsors. Government is getting involved the sponsors need to rethink their sponsorship.
These comments above are funny keep me entertained y’all
$75k… that’s about the correct amount which the plot owners had to Pay extra($500 per plot) for this years viewing plots… they shud return the plot owners the $500, since now this mystery ppl money has arrived… is this part of the “missing18mil?”
It Wudda been better disguised by giving it to the seniors and education
Why did the taxpayers give a club $75.000.00 of our money
Does this mean that the club will publicise their accounts so the taxpayers can see where it went?
the plp are simply buying more votes in advance.
More debt to keep good ole PLP pump oiled. Just imagine the reaction if OBA did this after PLP had already fixed SSC wall!!!
So that must be about $750 per vote for all of Somerset. How come Captain Major General Burch wasn’t there for pictures? Still snoozing up the hill??
Burch, said that he was not going to attend cup match .. because the GOV has been invited to presrnt the cup.. how childish is that..
People, these are the people that represent us !!!! talk about members of parliament sleeping on the job… we the people need to wake the hell up.
Absolutely worrying to see that government can find money for things like this yet schools and roads and the need to help young Bermudians become home owners is no where in sight… I better not be paying $20 for entry fee at the SCC then… as far as I’m concerned my tax money is in that $75k!
Worried for Bermuda’s future!
#contiplatingleaving
AGREED!!!
STUPIDITY AT IT’S FINEST!!
Why wouldn’t you split the check in half and give it to both clubs ? I’m telling you so crazy
St.Georges Cricket Club will receive their bounty next year.
Burt has no choice but to repeat this shambles.
I agreed!!!
So all taxpayers just got membership? This is a joke! Buying votes with taxpayer money because they know no other way….how about being a real government and fix the debt you got us into.
It’s easy when you’re throwing around other people’s money.
Buying votes.
Astonishing. Simply astonishing.
If they can’t make a profit from 10-20K paying specatators, corporate sponsorship, rental for the suites, liquor sales and participation fees from the food vendors and crown and anchor operators then something is seriously wrong. Almost like an erroneous duplicate cheque to Sandys 360 being cashed and never recovered………no wonder Preserve Marriage were so well funded.
Too dumb to see we are getting fleeced again. 25-11.
Anyone can see that this is to hide the controversy between the PLP and the SCC. Burch ‘s collateral damage just keeps going on and on and on and on.
well Burch, was put in charge of garbage and that is all he spews out.
Will you lot STOP WASTING OUR MONEY!
It is easy to give away other people’s money and then act like you did something noble. Jokers.
This is ridiculous!!!! Use it to clean our roads. I can’t even walk on some of the sidewalks. Trees are overgrown and we have trees growing out of sidewalks and walls.
Help the seniors that have contributed to Bermuda.
So much that could have been done with this money instead of Cup Match!!!! Totally unnecessary!!!
Waste of our money!!!!!
Can Royal Bermuda Yacht Club get $75000 when they host the next Newport Race? It is expensive to host it!
Can Royal Bermuda Yacht Club get $75000 the next time they host the Newport Race?
Yes, if they water the drinks a bit more.
This is sick! The PLP and SCC should be ashamed of themselves!
Strange. No sign of Colonel Burch. Perhaps he is away.
He’s asleep. Didn’t you see the pictures?
It’s his mess they are cleaning up again.
So is this an apology for the attempted coercion?
Given this money is being given from the public purse, does this entitle the public taxpayer to see the financial reporting on how the money is spent?
And in the meantime my land tax bill has just gone up by 5% of the ARV value – not sure how in the hell I am going to pay that but is sure is easy spending other people’s money… This is not only unimpressive, it is a prime example of a Government mollycoddling for a few votes whilst lacking the courage to tackle the real issue – We are broke and giveaways such as this are utterly disrespectful to legitimate tax payers such as myself. I PROPOSE A TAX PAYER STRIKE!
So will anyone at SCC be getting any 75,000$ bonuses after Cup Match?
Where are all these Cheques coming from we’re we not broke?