FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION P O Box HM 745 Hamilton HM CX Tel: 441-295-2199 Fax: 441-295-0773 www.bermudafa.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BFA Special Congress

Hamilton, Bermuda – March 16th, 2021 – The Bermuda Football Association (BFA) held a Special Congress Meeting on Monday, March 15th, with its Member Clubs to address the resumption of the 2020/21 football season. BFA President Mark Wade reminded delegates that the BFA Executive Council spent several months in discussion with the Bermuda Government, through the departments of Health, Youth, Sport and Recreation, and National Security, and were fully prepared to proceed with the resumption of football, after being granted permission to enter Stage 4 of the Return to Play Guidelines and granted a Large Group Exemption by the Ministry of National Security. The Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Dr. Ernest Peets, was in attendance at the Special Congress Meeting and expressed the Government’s support of the return of football.

During the Special Congress Meeting, the Competitions, Youth, and Women’s Committee outlined the blueprint on the resumption of football. After receiving a motion from the floor of the Congress, the decision to end the 2020/21 football season was passed by a vote of 11-10 with one abstention. Another vote to void the 2020/21 season was passed, however, any completed competitions will stand.

The BFA Competitions Committee has confirmed that, as directed by the Congress, the Premier and First Division 2020/21 season has been declared void. Southampton Rangers remain the champions of the Charity Cup, and Devonshire Cougars will remain champions of the Dudley Eve Tournament. The Youth Committee has confirmed that children’s football has also been cancelled. This includes U5, U7, U9, and U11. As directed by Congress, Youth Football (U13, U15, and U17) will proceed with round robin tournaments to determine a champion. The Women’s Committee has also confirmed that, as directed by Congress, the All-Girls’ League will proceed with round robin tournaments for U9, U11, U13, and U17 to determine champions.

Member Clubs were also advised of the next edition of club licensing, which under FIFA and Concacaf, aims to strengthen the administrative, operational, and future developments of all BFA member clubs. The BFA’s 2021-2022 budget was presented and amendments to the BASBEC policy were also passed during the meeting.

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THE BERMUDA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION Bermuda Football Association [BFA], Registered Charity #331, established in accordance with provisions of the Bermuda Football Association Act 1970, are to: 1. Encourage the game of ; 2. Promote the game of football and take all necessary steps to prevent infringement of the Rules and Laws of the game of football or other improper practices;

Member of The Federation Internationale de Football Association Member of C.O.N.C.A.C.A.F. BERMUDA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION P O Box HM 745 Hamilton HM CX Tel: 441-295-2199 Fax: 441-295-0773 www.bermudafa.com 3. Make Rules, Regulations and Bye-Laws for the proper regulation of the game of football; 4. Make Rules for eligibility for membership in the BFA; 5. Hold membership in FIFA, CONCACAF and CFU and abide by their Rules and Regulations; 6. Lend or invest and borrow money as determined by the BFA Executive Council; 7. Make representation to the Bermuda Government where appropriate.

Media Contacts: Ajani Tucker David Sabir, Head of Marketing General Secretary [email protected] [email protected] bermudafa.com Bermuda Football Association 441.295.2199 www.bermudafa.com

Member of The Federation Internationale de Football Association Member of C.O.N.C.A.C.A.F.