On Friday, March 4, 2016, CedarBridge Academy’s Lady Wildcats celebrated their victory of the Disney President’s Cup football tournament in Orlando, Florida, as Bermuda’s first female winners of this tournament.

During this celebration the girls — both from CedarBridge Academy and Berkeley Institute — and coaches were recognised for their outstanding performance while representing Bermuda.

They were true “trailblazers” according to CedarBridge Academy’s principal, Kalmar Richards, who commended them for being the first female Bermuda team to win the Disney President’s Cup.

The CedarBridge Academy Lady Wildcats team are Nia Christopher (Berkeley Institute), Jadae Steede-Hill (Berkeley Institute), Jazae Smith (Berkeley Institute), Micah Pond, Deshae Darrell, Danielle Foote, Taznae Fubler, Saphyre Hunt, Teyah Lindo, Symira Lowe-Darrell, Jade Steward and Jahdiah Symonds.

Also recognised were phenomenal coaches LaVar Bassett (CedarBridge Academy), Antoine Augustus (CedarBridge Academy) and Shantel DeShields (Berkeley Institute).

Additionally in the celebration, the team and coaches recognised those who had helped them with their journey such as parents of the players and student Jordan Masters, who helped to fundraise.

Head coach LeVar Bassett went on to give the highlights of the trip and the championship match versus Nirvana FC Arsenal.

“The girls had persevered through everything even injuries,” Bassett said.

Only having one substitute made the tournament very challenging, with players having to play injured, trying to persevere through the pain.

One player, Jade Steward, had been injured so far as to be put on crutches and yet went ahead and played, enduring the pain.

The girls had played four games in two days, which even made the competition harder and required more endurance of the players.

The championship game had deprived the girls of their energy after the tough match versus Nirvana FC Arsenal where the Lady Wildcats won 0-1, such to the extent that “they couldn’t celebrate their victory at the end”.

The victory was not only on the field for some as team captain Deshae Darrell went on to get a full scholarship from the Daytona State University. This victory as a whole was a win for both CedarBridge Academy and Bermuda.