Premier Michael Dunkley delivered his Cup Match message to Bermuda this evening.

Below is the statement in full.

Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you as you go about your Cup Match preparations.

This is an exciting time of year and the uniqueness of our Bermudian culture is wonderful to witness and is exemplified in the scene here at Somerset Cricket Club.

The celebrations we call Cup Match have important historical significance. In one weekend we mark two critical chapters in our Island story. Somers Day remembers our accidental settlement by British sailors bound for the American colonies, while Emancipation Day recalls the end of slavery in the British Empire. This is a true Bermuda story as it speaks to our ability to celebrate our diverse backgrounds and history, respect our individual traditions and emerge united, determined to celebrate our common bonds and not exploit our differences.

In the midst of all that Cup Match has become it is important that we never lose sight of just how critical these two events have been to our history and our development. Our British heritage is preserved in our constitutional arrangements and especially in the cricket that forms the central focus of this holiday weekend.

The struggle for the dignity of all people that was the promise of Emancipation is a principle that can still guide us today. The monuments to that struggle, like the designation of Mary Prince as a national hero and the unbowed representation of Sally Basset in the grounds of the Cabinet Office, still speak to us of the significance of freedom for all people.

Bermuda today continues to emerge from an economic storm that has affected us for a sustained period. Recovery is slow and relief sometimes seems far off. Our celebrations this year also take place against the backdrop of recent tragedies on our roads. With so much facing us as a people the lesson of our history is that solutions lie in unity.

Like many of you, I have supported The Family Centre’s annual fundraising campaign in partnership with Clarien Bank and proudly wear the team’s colours of ribbons they have provided. The Campaign’s message this year features two beautiful little girls each supporting a different Cup Match Team. But the all-important tag line is “ ... but they are best friends …”

That is the true spirit of Bermuda. That is who we have always been: Fierce rivals on the field of play in whatever arena, but stronger in unity than in division. As we celebrate this Cup Match, my hope is that we can carry the spirit in which we celebrate this holiday and the Cup Match Classic beyond this long weekend. We can and should inject it into how we deal with each other. I believe that we all want what is best for Bermuda. Our disagreements mean that we have different views on how to achieve that.

One friend of mine is a staunch St. George’s supporter and when I asked him what he thought might happen in this year’s game, his reply was: “I don’t even care who wins, as long as we get a result; that’s always good for the game …”

Although he was talking about cricket, that is what we should want for Bermuda: Results that are good for all of us.

As the excitement builds towards Thursday and Friday I encourage everyone to enjoy this holiday to the fullest but to do so safely. If you drink, do not drive. Take care of your children as they enjoy the beach or swimming off the rocks. Enjoy camping, fellowship with family and friends but above all, support your team and proudly wear your colours.

Let’s all enjoy Cup Match time in Bermuda.

Thank you.