Luke Horan’s humble approach to the game of cricket has earned him the Bermuda Friendly Societies Association's 21st Cup Match Sportsmanship Award.

The St George’s reserve was chosen by the umpires as the player who displaying exemplary behaviour during the Annual Classic. St George’s colt Azendé Furbert won the award last year.

Horan was presented with the trophy yesterday as he will leave Bermuda tomorrow for England, where he is enrolling at King's College.

“Getting this award shows that staying humble, playing the game the right way could get you awards like these,’’ Horan told The Royal Gazette.

“I’m sure they were looking at stuff that happens on and off the field. If you play the game within the rules at whatever age, you’ll get the recognition.

“I really enjoyed Cup Match this year. I didn't feel like it was hostile, it was enjoyable to be out there.”

The 16-year-old took brilliant catches that led to the dismissal of Kamau Leverock and Steven Bremar. He spent a considerable amount of time on the field as a substitute for the Bascome brothers, Onias and Oronde.

His exploits as a substitute fielder left many convinced that he deserved to win the Safe Hands award, as the accolade has been won by a reserve before. Instead, that prize went to Dion Stovell of Somerset.

“It seems the criteria has changed for Safe Hands, well done to Dion Stovell who won it,’’ he said.

“From the two catches I took, the second one was my favourite because it was mid to low catch, and I had to dive to get it.”

On his new journey, which will see him perfectly positioned for a career at Somerset County Cricket Club, the Bermuda Under-19 all-rounder expressed his excitement with what the future holds.

“I think going out there, this will allow me to play more cricket with people my age,’’ Horan said.

“You’re playing week in, week out, unlike when you’re here. Their season’s longer over there, they’re playing a higher-level of cricket, and I’m going to get as much access to good cricket.”

Just to show his devotion to the game, Horan is appearing for Warwick against Cleveland in an Athene T20 League encounter at Somerset, before jumping on the plane to England.

“Warwick Workmen’s will always be a big part of my career,’’ he said. “This is my third season with them and I’m playing my last game for them on Sunday.”

Kyle Bridgewater, the BFSA secretary, shed light on what they were looking for in deciding the winner of the award. He also indicated that the ceremony that was postponed from last week due to Hurricane Ernesto, will now be held on September 19.

“Luke Horan, in the opinion of the Cup Match umpires, best exemplified the principles of good sportsmanship and fair play throughout the 2024 Annual Cricket Classic,” Bridgewater said.

“These values and principles have been held high throughout the history of friendly societies as an aim and exemplar for both the individual and the community at large.

“This award was instituted in 2003 by the Association and first presented to Clay Smith of St George’s in 2004.

“The winner is presented with a number of prizes which include the Bermuda Friendly Societies Association Shield, the Emancipation Cup, the Clarence O. Darrell Cup, a personal keepsake cup, and other gifts.

“It should be recalled that the precursor to the Annual Cup Match Classic, were the annual games held on Emancipation Day, which followed the abolition of slavery here in Bermuda.

“We’re very thankful to those who came up with the award for ensuring that we not only celebrate, but commemorate this history.

“We’re celebrating emancipation and recognising ourselves, our progress, and being able to move to a point of assessment.

“We’re having the actual ceremony at Alexandrina Lodge Hall on September 19. We are grateful to have Corey Butterfield step forward as our keynote speaker.

“He is a well-known as an activist who speaks on and analyses Black Bermudian history.”