On July 21, the Department of Sport and Recreation held the 2026 Elite Athlete Sponsorship Presentation at the National Sports Centre Pavilion, where the Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, the Hon. Owen Darrell, JP, MP, presented cheques to some of Bermuda’s most outstanding athletes. The event celebrated the achievements and dedication of 43 elite athletes across 15 different sports, who were awarded a combined total of $175,000 to support their training and international competition efforts.
Minister Darrell stated: "Our elite athletes continue to make Bermuda proud through their dedication, perseverance and outstanding achievements on the international stage. This sponsorship programme reflects the Government's ongoing commitment to investing in their success and ensuring they have the support needed to compete at the highest level."
The funding is provided through the Government’s Elite Athlete Sponsorship Programme, which is aligned with the Bermuda National Sports Policy. This initiative supports Goal 2.1 of the policy: to increase Government funding for high performance athletes and teams by 30 per cent. The programme ensures that top-performing athletes are given the financial support they need to excel on the world stage, reflecting the Government’s ongoing commitment to sporting excellence.
Among the recipients were swimmers Emma Harvey, Jack Harvey and Elijah Daley; track and field Caitlyn Bobb and Miles Outerbridge; bowler Lamar Richardson; Boccia athlete Yushae DeSilva-Andrade, and triathlete Erica Hawley, who received the highest individual award of $10,000. The Elite Athlete Sponsorship Initiative is an essential part of Bermuda’s broader effort to strengthen its international sporting presence while inspiring young athletes across the island.
