Minister Darrell: Athletes Made The Island Proud
“As evident from our performance in Guernsey over the past week, Team Bermuda made the nation, their families, and friends immensely proud,” Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport Owen Darrell said.
Speaking today [July 19] in the Senate the Minister said, “Every two years, the NatWest International Island Games bring together thousands of athletes from around the world. Last week, a delegation of one hundred [100] athletes from Bermuda participated in the 2023 NatWest International Island Games in Guernsey. The opening ceremony took place on Saturday, July 8th, with Mr. Gavin Manders leading Team Bermuda as the flag bearer. These Island Games were originally scheduled for 2021 but were postponed due to the pandemic.
“Bermuda has been a member of the Island Games since 2001 and hosted the games in 2013, where Team Bermuda achieved a record-breaking 77 medals on home soil. These medals included 27 gold, 19 silver, and 31 bronze. In the
“Guernsey 2023 games, there were 14 sports represented, and Team Bermuda participated in 11 of them, namely golf, football, archery, tennis, indoor bowls, sailing, athletics, badminton, shooting, and triathlon. I am proud to share that our team had an exceptional week in Guernsey, securing a total of ten medals: 2 gold, 2 silver, and 6 bronze.
“In the team events, the Women’s football team shone brightly, winning the gold medal. They dominated every team they played, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament and scoring 15 goals while not conceding a single goal. Congratulations to Head Coach Naquita Robinson and her team for their remarkable achievement.
“Our second gold medal was earned by Ebonie Cox in the individual events, as she displayed her prowess in golf and emerged victorious. She also joined forces with Tracy Burgess, Kimberley Botelho, and Ann Symonds to win a silver medal for Team Bermuda in the Women’s golf team event. Madame President, as you can see, our female athletes in Team Bermuda displayed their strength and talent.
“In the sport of archery, Bernard Wade III delivered an outstanding performance, earning himself a silver and a bronze medal. Our men’s tennis team, consisting of James Finnigan, Gavin Manders, Scott Redmond, David Thomas, and Christopher Weeks, secured a bronze medal. Shelby Maderios won a bronze in women’s singles, while Gavin Manders and James Finnigan teamed up to win a bronze in tennis doubles. Our final two medals were earned in indoor bowls by David Leach and in sailing by Nicole Stovell, both securing bronze medals.
“Madame President, as evident from our performance in Guernsey over the past week, Team Bermuda made the nation, their families, and friends immensely proud. Many athletes achieved personal bests, and all participants should be commended for their efforts in the games. The next Island Games are scheduled to take place in the Scottish Island of Orkney in July 2025. We eagerly anticipate further success at these games and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Sport Matters!”
