Younger people know more about the origin of Cup Match than was feared, a snap survey has revealed.

Politicians have complained that the real reason for Bermuda’s two-day national holiday, a celebration of the end of slavery in the British Empire, had become lost as people were more focused on spending money and looking good.

So The Royal Gazette hit the streets yesterday to find out if young people know what Cup Match was really all about and if they thought it needed to be better explained.

One Hart, 17, said: “Cup Match celebrates the emancipation of slaves. I learnt that in school.”

She added: “I’m pretty sure most people don’t think about the meaning of Cup Match until they’re reminded of it.”

Ms Hart advised: “Don’t promote the competition between Somerset and St George’s so much, put out more about the fact that it has to do with emancipation and the ending of slavery and we do this because we are free.”

Abigail Frost, 14, said she had also been taught about the roots of Cup Match in the classroom.

She said: “I don’t think most people keep that in mind. A lot of people go to just meet up with their friends. I think it should be taught more in classes.

“At the Cup Match game there could be someone there who was telling people about the history of Cup Match and answering their questions.

“It was a big deal when slavery ended in Bermuda, and a lot of people feel connected to it because that’s their heritage.”

Jair Duke, 21, a St George’s fan, said: “Cup Match celebrates the freedom of slaves.

“It’s important to remember what happened to the slaves and how they became free, instead of all the banter between Somerset and St George’s. People always just think about who’s the better team and who could do the most.

“We should have talks with young people and go to schools before Cup Match to educate them.”

Chloe Burns, 10, who is backing Somerset, said she was unaware of the origins of Cup Match.

She said: “They don’t really teach us that in school; they don’t even mention it.

“To young people, it’s more of a fun time when everyone goes out on the boat with their friends or just goes to watch the cricket because people don’t know what it really means.”

She added: “We could have a day in school where you dress in your team’s colours and then we could learn about what the meaning of Cup Match is and we could also play cricket on the field.”