Madam President, on Saturday March 18^th, 2023 the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport through the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation, hosted its 41^st Annual Sports Awards at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. This year’s Sports Awards recognized the distinguished achievements of the island’s top Bermudian athletes, officials and supporters for their contribution to sports from 2022. The theme of this year’s ceremony was “Sport Matters”.

Madame President, our National Sports Policy guides us with a five-year promise to raise the value of sport in Bermuda. The 41^st Annual Sports Awards was an example of the Government’s commitment to do so. Several awards were given out in various categories. The top award Athlete of the Year which is presented to athletes who have achieved an obvious level of maintained excellence during the calendar year in sport was presented to the following;

Male Athlete of the Year - Jah-Nhai Perinchief, Female Athlete of the Year - Dame Flora Duffy, Junior Male Athlete of the Year - Sebastian Kempe, and Junior Female Athlete of the Year - Caitlyn Bobb.

These athletes have proven once again that Sport Matters as this was their second consecutive year of achieving these awards. What an accomplishment!

Madame President, as the Minister of Sports I have the distinct pleasure of selecting and presenting awards to athletes of our National Sports of Football and Cricket.

The awardees were;

• (Football) – Male - Macquille Walker
• (Football) – Female - Jahni Simmons
• (Cricket) - Male - Allan Douglas Jr.

Awards were also presented in the following categories:

Senior Achievement Award – This award is for participation and achievement at a high standard of performance in international/national competition.

• (Male)
  • Jah-Nhai Perinchief
  • Kaden Hopkins
  • Dage Minors
  • Tyler Smith
  • Conor White
• (Female)
  • Dame Flora Duffy
  • Erica Hawley
  • Jessica Lewis
  • Caitlin Conyers
  • Sakari Famous

Junior Achievement Award

• (Male)
  • Sebastian Kempe
  • Oliver Betschart
  • Paul Rodrigues Jr.
  • Kallan Todd
• (Female)
  • Caitlyn Bobb
  • Fenella Wightman
  • Annabelle Miller
  • Kelise Wade

• Appreciation Award – This award is presented to persons who conduct international amateur games at all levels in Bermuda and also those who have community sports programmes that have a significant impact on the community.
  • Back to Basics Running
  • Bermuda Volleyball Association
• Special Achievement Award – This award is presented to individuals other than athletes who have made a significant and sustained contribution to sport.
  • Gary Le Blanc
  • Ian Truran
  • Ian Pilgrim
• Sport Citation – This award is presented to those who have distinguished themselves in sport both past and present.
  • Gary Venning (Golf)
  • Ken Thom (Para-Athletics)
  • Megan Troake (Field Hockey)
  • Richard Mallory (Tennis)
  • Emerson Carrington (Cricket)
• Special Recognition - This award recognizes those athletes who have achieved special status or distinction in sport.
  • U-17 Girls Relay Team (4x400m)
  • Men’s Davis Cup Team
  • Women’s National Hockey Team
  • U-20 Women’s Relay Team (4x400m)

Madame President, the Ministry was excited to showcase once again this year’s event where we celebrated the best and brightest in our sports community. The camaraderie and national pride displayed during the awards was enjoyed by all, and we look forward to another year of excellence in sport. I would like to thank the Sports Awards Committee and the staff at the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation for hosting a stellar event.

Thank you Madam President.