The year 1967 was key for Bermuda, a period of renaissance. In July of that year, the Bermuda Constitution was legislated at the British Parliament at Westminster in London, as a result of negotiations involving representatives of the Progressive Labour Party and the United Bermuda Party. This provided the framework for a democratic Bermuda, the culmination of years of effort to transform our society, guaranteeing voting and other fundamental rights.

During those same days in late July 1967, during which this most important chapter of our history was taking place on one side of the Atlantic, a group of Bermudians gathered on the other side, in Winnipeg, Canada. They were representing the island at the 1967 Pan American Games, a sporting festival involving athletes from across the Americas.

July 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of these parallel events. While the conclusion of the process in London in 1967 played out as expected, the results of those in Winnipeg came as a pleasant surprise to most.

The Bermuda football team and the representatives from sailing, particularly Penny Simmons, had track records that suggested that they would give good accounts of themselves at those Games. However, to that date, no one in our small island had won a medal at any major international sporting event.

Our football team, coached by a progressive Englishman, Graham Adams, included captain Gladwyn “Bubba” Darrell and 18 players from various clubs — notably six players from Somerset Trojans and five from Devonshire Colts. The squad also included Clyde Best, Kenny Cann, Willis Cann, Gordon Cholmondoley, Gary Darrell, Carlton “Pepe” Dill, Marcus Douglas, Leroy “Nibs” Lewis, Ed “Tinty” Ming, Rudy Minors, Irving “Jack” Romaine, brothers Lionel “Baldy” Smith and Rudy Smith, Noel Simons and goalkeepers Clyde “Tango” Burgess, Earlston “Duckfoot” Jennings and Dennis Wainwright.

Our national squad sent a message when in their first game, they beat the United States 7–3 on July 25. Among the goals were “Pepe” and “Baldy” with two each, “Bubba”, “Jack” and Marcus. With draws against Cuba and Canada in subsequent games, Bermuda met Trinidad & Tobago on July 31 in the semi-finals. Thanks to goals from “Pepe”, Gary and the 16-year-old wunderkind Clyde Best, the team beat the Trinidadians 3–1 and booked a spot in the final against Mexico, for whom football is more religion than sport.

On August 3, 1967 the Bermuda team held Mexico to a goalless draw up until the 87th minute when Best headed a ball that hit a post — just millimetres short of victory. In extra time, the Mexicans overpowered our Boys to win 4–0. As a result of this game, Bermuda were awarded the silver medal and match officials formally recognised our team for Best Sportsmanship. “Pepe” had scored five goals in the tournament.

That same week, Penny Simmons was awarded the bronze medal for his performance in the Snipe Class of sailing.

It is worth noting that our grassroots system of sports clubs had provided the foundation for that Pan Am success. It happens that Devonshire Colts, while a smaller club, through their founder Edward DeJean, maintain the aim of fostering youth development, but also actively supported the movement to democratise our island. Pauulu Kamarakafego, the former Roosevelt Brown, who co-ordinated the voting rights campaign, was a mentee of DeJean.

As a result of the new Bermuda Constitution being legislated in July 1967, Bermuda enjoyed its first fully democratic General Election in 1968.

That group of young men who gained those silver medals demonstrated on the global stage what could be achieved through teamwork, notwithstanding any limitations. Individuals took on further challenges: Clyde Best broke down barriers of race for top-flight football in Britain; “Pepe”, Gordon and Gary demonstrated that Bermudians could excel professionally in North America.

At a time when “the beautiful game” increasingly brought the globe together, that silver-medal performance provided inspiration for the 1960s generation in Bermuda, reminding us to think globally and act locally.

On this 50th anniversary, we can reflect on lessons offered by that era. While we retain grassroots sporting programmes that foster the potential of upcoming generations, given today’s new challenges, our whole community is called upon to draw on the spirit of ’67.