Ben Smith Suggests Athlete Insurance Initiative
“We must not allow financial inequality to dictate athletic success,” Shadow Minister for Sport Ben Smith said.
Mr. Smith said, “During the recent budget debate, I acknowledged the government’s ongoing support for sport and our athletes—but made clear that it is not enough. As the costs of participating in sport continue to rise—both locally and for overseas competition—our National Sport Governing Bodies [NSGBs] are facing increasing demands on resources that have not grown at the same rate.
“Sport and recreation are vital pillars of our society. They promote healthy lifestyles, positive behavior, and a sense of community—particularly for our young people. That is why I will always advocate for more strategic investment in sport, especially as we strive to ensure equitable access and long-term athlete development.
“There are also critical areas of concern that must be addressed. The National Sports Centre [NSC], a cornerstone of our national sporting infrastructure, still has not caught up on its outstanding audits—an issue that has persisted for several years. While savings have been realized through the lighting upgrade project, the long-promised solar project remains incomplete despite being scheduled for completion years ago. Additionally, there is no publicly available maintenance plan for this solar infrastructure—raising questions about sustainability and long-term planning.
“One of the most pressing issues is the lack of support for our elite athletes once they transition out of youth systems. Many of these athletes have aged out of parental financial coverage or no longer benefit from university-based health plans. At this critical stage—often just before they reach their peak performance—health insurance becomes a prohibitive cost. This creates an unfair barrier where athletes from financially secure backgrounds can continue, while those without the means are forced to give up their dreams.
“We must not allow financial inequality to dictate athletic success. Bermuda has invested in these young people through schools, clubs, and national programs. To lose that investment because of systemic gaps is not only inefficient—it is unjust.
“A practical solution: create a programme that provides health insurance support to elite athletes in exchange for service to the community. These athletes could serve as role models and sports tourism ambassadors—running youth clinics, producing public service messages, and promoting Bermuda internationally. Such an initiative would support our athletes, strengthen community engagement, and raise the island’s global sporting profile. This is a win for athletes, a win for government, and a win for Bermuda.
“We must be intentional in creating an environment where talent, not income, determines an athlete’s opportunity to succeed. That is how we build a healthier, fairer, and more inspiring Bermuda.”
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Mr.Shadow minister let me make a critical point here when you want something you have to work for it .
It that is not my job to bully you it is my tax money going no where .
so what?
Who is passing the buck this time?
What has financisal in equity to do with sport ?
How dies that effect a 9 year old ?
Why is education still siting on the sidelines?
Do you mean to say that sport has a lot to do with education of our young people who aparantly prise foot ball over a day of learning which has become a stalemate.
Complaining does not work as much as prastical soluions do ! every ythinh has to have a reason
Have you not heard if an award system?
I am sure that you are aware that private education far out paces public school education.
We all come with own gift, as we are not all the same.
Could it be the our young people are just not interested and would sooner go and fly a kite.
Should you disolve the co – ed method at say 10 years old ?
Incentive is a keyword here so is motivation, that would also fit along with a liberal amount of enthusiasm.
You may ask who or what interferes with the process or what is lacking in the system could it be peer pressure or the lack of it .
Do we have 36 people on the hill looking the other way or where they caught up in the loop by the consultants raking in the money at our childrens expence?
You can not force children to eat spinage when there is a dish of candies on the table.
do we lknow of muck cre to uncover the pitfall i remember the days when i had ro swallow 7 subject in a a week it was i a lot over the top at the age of 14 .
Has old style education has had it s day ?
for math put a tape measure on the desk , compurers englisk and typing.
How many children have a dictionary in their school bag ? Two words a day equals 730 per year
You may ask where do all the failures over the last 20 years all come from ?
Easy question they all comes from the top ,this is where progress hits the brick wall.
The bottom line all the questions?
Who would you hire to day?
An academic or a person capable of doing the job !
Thinking out loud:
Who qualifies as an “elite athlete”? How many of this class do we have?
What falls under “insurance support”? Full major medical with overseas benefits?
Pharma coverage? dental? vision? Would they be able to add dependents?
would this only be available to those elite athletes who cant afford ins? Or can wealthy elite athletes opt in as well? Para-athletes?
What about those who participate in sports such as boxing? If they incur a serious head injury while fulfilling their roll as a elite boxer … who is paying for their medical expenses/long term care?
You have a lot of seniors struggling to secure and keep affordable coverage and one could argue they have already done their service. Mind you, elite athletes would probably have a good loss experience.
Lots to think about.