The Bermuda Government has committed almost $50,000 to assist towards the development of the island’s finest young athletes, with tennis star Trey Mallory the first recipient of the Flora Duffy Award.

Seventeen athletes and organisations were recognised at the National Junior Athlete Sponsorship Programme luncheon at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club today.

The Flora Duffy Award, worth $10,000, has been created to assist a Bermudian athlete who is not receiving elite athlete assistance but who is expected to get to that level as they progress.

Mallory has enjoyed a stellar first year on the tennis circuit with the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, contributing to the Seahawks winning the Colonial Athletic Association conference title and qualifying for the NCAA Championships.

The 20-year-old became the youngest Bermuda player to win a match on his Davis Cup debut when he beat Kevin Gardener, of Antigua & Barbuda, in 2018.

A total of $49,953 has been confirmed among the many other athletes and organisations represented at today’s luncheon.

Sports minister Ernest Peets, who oversaw the festivities, said: “These junior athletes have demonstrated tremendous potential in their chosen sports, and with the assistance of the Government, people of Bermuda, their family, coaches and national sports governing bodies, they will represent their country with dignity.

“We must continue to invest and support you so that you become the next generation of elite sporting talent in Bermuda.”

The full list of athletes receiving sponsorship, their awards and bios follows below:

Cameron Morris

$2,418

Cameron Morris is 16 and attends Warwick Academy. He has been a dedicated cyclist, which has seen him become the top male junior rider on island. Under the tutelage of the Bermuda Bicycle Association, Cameron is on a similar trajectory as previous junior riders in becoming an established international competitor. The opportunity to attend the USA Cycling’s Mars Hill Cycling Camp from July 25 to 30 will further aid Cameron’s development as he leads the next line of Bermudian cyclists. To assist our recipient, the Bermuda Bicycle Association has been granted a sum of $2,418 for Cameron Morris to attend the Mars Hill Cycling Camp.

Cody Rego (Bermuda Equestrian Federation)

$4,283

Cody Rego, 17, is fast establishing himself as a competent international equestrian athlete, as seen with his recent victory at the Platinum Performance/United States Equestrian Federation Show Jumping Talent Search 2* and at the Class 3092 Washington International Horse Show Jumper Phase Cali events. He also placed third in the WIHS Hunter Phase Cali, which earned him the overall WIHS title for Section A. The Bermuda Equestrian Federation has been granted $4,283 for Cody Rego to attend the Great Lakes Esquire Festival.

Daniel Cook (Bermuda Football Association)

$3,006

Daniel Cook, 18, plays with Robin Hood FC after a short stint in Hampshire, England, with the Hartley Wintney Academy. In the recent Appleby Under-17 finals, Cook was voted MVP after securing victory for his team with two well-taken goals. Cook has shown a unique and distinguished talent for football, which has seen him come on the radar of the senior Bermuda team. The BFA has established a relationship with Arnstadt Academy in Germany, which can provide the perfect next step for Cook’s football development. The BFA has been granted $3,006 for Daniel Cook to attend Arnstadt Academy in Germany.

Daniel Phillips (Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association)

$3,126

Daniel Phillips, 17, has a very diverse developmental exposure in tennis, demonstrating immense potential. His development has seen him based at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy in Spain, moving on to England and now at Delray Beach in Florida. Fresh off his triple title success on the International Tennis Federation Junior circuit, he has postponed thoughts of attending college or university so that he may realise a dream of joining the professional ranks. The BLTA has been granted $3,126 towards Daniel Phillips competing at the ITF Junior British Open.

Jaeda Grant (Bermuda National Athletics Association)

$1,519

Jaeda Grant, at 13, was the youngest member of the 2022 Carifta Games team and demonstrated great determination, courage and speed to help the under-17 4 x 400 relay team win the silver medal against a very highly competitive field. The BNAA is excited about the huge potential Grant has to reach top international standards. Equally exciting is the confidence, progressive attitude and belief in herself during competitive pressure situations. The BNAA has been granted $1,519 to assist Jaeda Grant in attending the Nike Clarke Family Running Camp.

Faizon Augustus (Bermuda Rugby Football Union)

$1,680

Faizon Augustus, 18, has represented Bermuda at under-16 level and has enjoyed his first senior year playing with Teachers Rugby Football Club, with performances that earned him rookie of the year and top tryscorer. Augustus has ambitions to use rugby as the vehicle to further his education in Britain or United States, as well as represent Bermuda at the senior level. The BRFU is excited to support him on this journey in reaching full potential in both sport and life. The BRFU has been granted $1,680 to assist in Faizon Augustus in preparations for the Rugby Americas North Under-19 Tournament.

Sebastian Kempe (Bermuda Sailing Association)

$4,469

Sebastian Kempe, 17, sailed into the history books with victory at the 2021 Youth World Championships in Al Mussanah, Oman. His triumph has firmly put Bermuda on the global sailing map and provides evidence that sports investment is helping our Bermuda athletes reach world-class status. Kempe has huge potential and ambitions of representing Bermuda at the 2024 Olympic Games. His performances to date suggest he is well on course to reach this ambition. The Bermuda Sailing Association has been granted $4,469 for Sebastian Kempe to compete at the World Sailing Youth Championships in the Netherlands.

Kallan Todd (Bermuda Sanshou Association)

$2,023

Kallan Todd, 15, attends CedarBridge Academy and has made steady progression with his development since competing at the Phoenix Wushu Nationals in 2021. Both the BSA and Todd share the future ambition of him representing Bermuda at the Pan American Wushu Championships and World Wushu Championships. The opportunity to train at the United Martial Arts Academy will greatly enhance their ambitions as well as his ability to compete at the upcoming World Junior Wushu Championships. The Bermuda Sanshou Association has been granted $2,023 to assist Kallan Todd in attending the United Martial Arts Academy.

Jake Roberts (Bermuda Volleyball Association)

$2,989

Jake Roberts, 16, attends Mount St Agnes and has demonstrated natural ability since he began playing volleyball in middle school. His consistent performances throughout the years have resulted in him being selected for the junior national team. He earned a starting position as libero for the under-18 junior team that travelled to compete in the Boston Nike Volleyball Festival. Bermuda had their best finish in this tournament, making it to the final day of competition. The Bermuda Volleyball Association has been granted $2,989 to assist Jake Roberts in attending the junior boys national team training camp.

Jaydon Roberts (National Archery Association of Bermuda)

$2,120

Jaydon Roberts, 16, attends the Berkeley Institute and has demonstrated commitment and competence in his sport, as seen with recent performances both locally and internationally. He has a demanding schedule planned for 2022, which includes CAC Games and Pan American Games qualifiers. He also has ambitions of representing Bermuda at the Youth Olympic Games. The National Archery Association of Bermuda has been granted $2,120 to assist Jaydon Roberts in attending the Eastern Foundation Training Camp.

Jamaal Jackson (Bermuda Basketball Association)

$2,793

With development of a broader range of junior athletes paramount, the Bermuda Basketball Association enlisted the services of Kentucky State University head

coach Jamaal Jackson. Coach Jackson is known for up-tempo offence, as KSU have been ranked in the top three of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in three of Jackson’s first four seasons at the helm. It is hoped that with the astute technical development of Coach Jackson, partnered with rigorous fitness sessions, participating junior athletes will have a better understanding of what is required to play at a higher level. The Bermuda Basketball Association has been granted $2,793 to hold the Advanced Youth Development Clinic, featuring coach Jamaal Jackson.

Gary Palmer (Bermuda Cricket Board)

$2,888

Batting is key as the Bermuda Cricket Board looks to develop technically sound batsmen for upcoming junior tournaments and beyond. Gary Palmer is a renowned batting coach that has worked with the likes of former England captain Alastair Cook and England opening batsman Dominic Sibley. The intention of the BCB is to enhance the technical development of elite batsmen at national youth level in preparation for future international competition. Development of a sound technique to combat all conditions is imperative for the future development of all local batsmen. The BCB has been granted $2,888 to hold the Gary Palmer Batting Clinic, featuring Palmer and local coaches.

Chadrick Wigle (Bermuda Boxing Federation)

$2,854

The Bermuda Boxing Federation will enlist the services of Chad Wigle, an American coach with has 30 years’ experience training international, domestic and recreational boxers. Wigle will work with junior athletes who are preparing for regional competition. Wigle also has certifications in skill analysis, biomechanics, energy systems, nutrition and sport psychology. His knowledge will be invaluable in the development of young boxers. Local coaches such as Leo Richardson and Jermel Woodridge will assist with the training camp, which will provide opportunities for their continuing coaching development. The Bermuda Boxing Federation has been granted $2,854 to host a ten-day training camp at Controversy Gym featuring Chadwick Wigle.

Ryan Dailey (Bermuda Golf Association)

$2,892

The Bermuda Golf Association is actively rebuilding its junior development programmes and as such will enlist the service of Ryan Dailey. He developed the Operation 36 Developmental Programmes, which provide both athletes and coaches methodologies to play and teach golf. In collaboration with the local golf development officer, the BGA will maximise Dailey’s time on island to assist both coaches and youth athletes development. Additionally, the BGA will look to establish a continued relationship with the Operation 36 Development Programmes to grow the participation of youth golf. The BGA has been granted $2,892 to host an athlete and coach development camp featuring Ryan Dailey.

Sportsways Camp (Bermuda Hockey Federation)

$2,685

The Bermuda Hockey Federation will partner with Sportsways Camp to deliver a weeklong training camp on island for junior athletes. This form of exposure has proved invaluable for the BHF athletes, as seen by those that have participated in the previous camps. The BHF has gained much needed momentum with its recent success at the CAC Games Qualifier held in Bermuda and will be looking to build a sustained partnership with Sportsways to continue to develop its athletes. The BHF has been granted $2,685 to host a training camp on island featuring Sportsways coaches.

Richard McCharles (Gymnastics Federation of Bermuda)

$4,370

The Gymnastics Federation of Bermuda’s goal is to provide additional coaching and training to its high-performance junior athletes so they can continue to develop their skills in target areas that require specialised training. With that target in mind, the federation enlisted the services of Rick McCharles, who is an FIG Expert who has worked with Bermuda athletes for years. Assistance from coach Rick McCharles will aid in gymnasts’ development both physically and emotionally as they gain valuable training in preparation for international competition. A sum of $4,370 has been granted to the Gymnastics Federation of Bermuda to host a training camp on island featuring Richard McCharles.

Jack Maitland Camp (Bermuda Triathlon Association)

$3,838

With a target to improve the junior male and female triathletes between the ages of 14 and 18, the Bermuda Triathlon Association has enlisted the services of Jack Maitland. A highly respected coach, Maitland was a major instigator and long-term head coach of the Leeds Triathlon Centre, which played an instrumental role in the successes of British elite triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, Vicky Holland and Non Stanford. The BTA has established an annual working relationship with Maitland. This camp is intended to be a long-term investment in youth triathlon development as the BTA looks to keep junior athletes improving yearly while developing their ability to compete and represent Bermuda. A sum of $3,838 has been granted to Bermuda Triathlon Association to host the Jack Maitland Camp featuring Coach Maitland and local coaches.

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