Photos: Curly’s Walking Football League Launch

March 21, 2026 | 0 Comments

Football veteran Leroy ‘Curly Joe’ Wilson launched a local walking football league with its opening tournament on March 14 at Bermuda College.

A spokesperson said, “Led by football veteran, Leroy ‘Curly Joe’ Wilson, Curly’s Walking Football launched a local walking football league with its opening tournament on Saturday, March 14th at Bermuda College.”

Mr Wilson stated, “We have forty players across four teams—the All-Stars, Bermuda College, Touring and Warriors—and we would like to have two more teams. Many of the players have played football before, although not necessarily at a higher level. The level has definitely picked up. My goal is to get a national team of 18-20 players to enter the 2027 FIFWA Walking Football World Nations Cup.”

“As a coach, I wanted to challenge myself,” said Mr Wilson, reflecting on the past six years of walking football in Bermuda. “I’m very happy for the sponsors that are coming on board to help us; that makes a difference.”

A spokesperson added, “Polaris Holding Company Ltd. is the league’s main sponsor.”

CEO Randy Rochester highlighted the company’s long-term vision: “This sport has tremendous potential locally, just as it has internationally. Today’s league launch marks the beginning of something significant. We look forward to more teams, greater spectator engagement, international competition, and ultimately hosting a Polaris International Invitational in Bermuda.”

Cheryl Hayward-Chew, Chair of Polaris, stated, “Polaris is proud to support Curly’s Walking Football and the diverse group of Bermuda’s maturing community who enjoy the sport’s competitiveness, camaraderie and of course, the physical health benefits.”

A spokesperson added, “Bermudian football legend, Clyde Best MBE, cut the ribbon to launch the league and begin the tournament. ‘Continue to do what you’re doing, and let’s get this as big as possible,’ he encouraged the players as they eagerly awaited their first match.

“President of Bermuda College, Dr David Sam, Esq, welcomed the teams to Bermuda College and stayed to cheer for the Bermuda College team. President of Curly’s Walking Football, Troy Ashby, also recounted how much the sport has grown in Bermuda.

“The referee for the opening tournament was Dennis Brown, former Somerset Trojans player and Bermuda National Team Coach.

“Lisa Ming, who began playing walking football in September, first heard about walking football as a student at Bermuda College two years ago. She is now the first female player on the Bermuda College walking football team, which she and her husband joined together.”

“I had never played football for a team before,” Ms Ming said. “That’s why it’s so amazing for me to be at this point within six months, thanks to Coach Curly. Most of the guys have played football for teams before, but they are very encouraging to me; they’ll give me pointers all the time, even if I’m not on their team.”

A spokesperson added, “There are still openings for two teams of ten players. Men over 50 and women over 40 who are interested in playing or referees of any age may contact Curly’s Walking Football via email at c0ach58@yahoo.com or on WhatsApp at 595‐8048. Coach Curly is also at Bermuda College Monday-Friday, 6:00am-2:00pm. League games will take place on Saturdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm at Bermuda College and a training session is available on Wednesdays 6:00-7:30pm at Bermuda College.”