Exceptional conduct in the dugout during Premier Division matches has earned Young Men's Social Club coach Michael Smith the Bermuda Football Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year accolade.

Smith ensured that Social Club survived relegation in the 2023-24 season. They finished third from bottom, three points above the drop.

He was presented with his award yesterday at the Clyde Best Centre of Excellence by Larry Smith, the BFCA technical advisory committee chair. Smith is the second recipient of the accolade, which went to Jarreau Hayward, of St George’s Colts, last year.

Dennis Brown, the BFCA president, outlined the benchmark used in deciding the winner of the award.

“Mike Smith was the obvious choice for this award,’’ Brown said.

“The referees were part of the decision-making process of who we selected as our Coach of the Year,’’ Brown said.

“The executive committee, made up of eight people brought it down to three coaches, the referees committee assisted us in coming up with the final choice.

“Everyone voted for Mike Smith because of his exemplary character throughout the year. His respect for opponents and respect for match officials won it for him.

“This award is for the Premier Division; we don’t consider coaches in other leagues for now.”

The BFCA also recognised Naquita Robinson, the Bermuda women’s team coach, who received a merit award.

“The merit award for Naquita Robinson was for her contribution to women’s football throughout the years,’’ the BFCA president said.

“She’s been involved in women’s football for over 20 years. They didn’t even have a women’s league at the time; she was one of the pioneers of women’s football.

“We thought it was incumbent upon the Bermuda Football Coaches Association to honour her.”

Robinson, who led the Bermuda women’s team to gold at last year’s Island Games in Guernsey, thanked all those involved in mentoring her as a coach.

“I’m grateful to the association for giving me these opportunities,’’ she said.

“I didn't take up this job to win World Cups, but to provide opportunities for young girls. We have players who have gone on beyond college, they continue to play this game.

“I just urge everyone to keep encouraging these young ladies. We have a new under-15 team that is going to be phenomenal. Somebody is going to be standing here receiving this award one day as I am because they worked so hard with the next generation.”