Island Games: Robinson Eyes Third Gold
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Naquita Robinson, the Bermuda women’s national team coach, believes her side will have a “target on their backs” as they look to retain their International Island Games title in Orkney, Scotland.
Robinson has led Bermuda to gold twice at the biennial event – first on home soil in 2013 and most recently in Guernsey, the Channel Islands, in 2023.
In Guernsey, her team produced a dominant campaign, winning all five matches without conceding a goal and cruising to a 4-0 victory over the Western Isles in the final.
“Team selection has been a challenge, with players becoming unavailable at the last minute,” Robinson said.
“However, I am confident in the players that are traveling to do the job.
“Obviously, we have a huge target on our backs, but we are ready for it.
“The players understand what is required, and we just hope everyone can stay healthy throughout the tournament.”
The women’s and men’s under-23 teams are preparing for the Island Games at a training camp in Aberdeen.
The team will be without star attacker LeiLanni Nesbeth, who scored twice in the previous final but is in the middle of her Women’s Soccer League season with the Chicago Red Stars.
Nevertheless, Bermuda will travel with a strong 18-player squad featuring several returning standouts, including goalkeeper Za’Khari Turner, midfielders Trinae Edwards and Emily Cabral, and striker Jya Ratteray-Smith.
Defender Victoria Davis, who travelled to Guernsey but was unable to play because of injury, will hope to make her Island Games debut.
Bermuda opens their campaign against Jersey on July 13, followed by matches against the Isle of Wight on July 14 and Shetland on July 15.
Semi-finals and classification matches will be held on July 17, with the medal games scheduled for July 18.
The Island Games, hosted in Orkney for the first time in the event’s 40-year history, will run from July 12 to 18.
The archipelago, located off Scotland’s north coast, will welcome around 2,000 athletes from 24 island groups to compete across 12 sports.
Bermuda women’s national team squad
Goalkeeper: Zakhari Turner
Defenders: Victoria Davis, Keunna Dill, Taznae Fubler, Koa Goodchild, Saony Trott, Danni Watson
Midfielders: Khyla Brangman, K’Shaela Burch-Waldon, Emily Cabral, Trinae Edwards, Janiya Sealey, Jahde Simmons
Forwards: Marli Butterfield, Symira Lowe-Darrell, Jaden Masters, Jya Ratteray-Smith, Jahni Simmons
