Those attending the Bermuda Football Association’s awards ceremony at CedarBridge Academy on Saturday will be charged an admission fee.

It is the first time in memory that patrons will have to pay for the privilege to watch some of the Island’s players receive recognition for their excellence last season.

Nathan Atcheson, the BFA’s director of marketing and communications, confirmed yesterday that there will be a $70 admission fee that includes cocktails and dinner.

The BFA’s decision to charge patrons attending this year’s ceremony has ruffled feathers in the local football community with one prominent coach going as far as to call it “ludicrous”.

“Why is the BFA charging to attend the prize-giving?” he said.

“This even includes the recipients.”

Atcheson acknowledged that some award nominees will indeed have to dig into their pockets to pay the admission fee while others will be spared the expense.

“The top-two nominees in each category do not have to pay to attend,” Atcheson said.

Proceeds from the event will go towards the BFA’s development programme and Bermuda’s preparations for next month’s World Cup qualifying second-round tie against Guatemala.

Damon Ming of Dandy Town Hornets, last year’s MVP, is on the shortlist for two for the awards, along with Somerset Trojans goalkeeper Shaquille Bean, who was instrumental in his team winning their first league title in 22 years.

Trojans and Hornets, who finished runners-up in the league and won the Charity Cup, Dudley Eve Trophy and FA Cup, will feature prominently in the awards, with Jomar Wilkinson and Danvers Seymour Jr the top contenders for Coach of the Year. Jahtino Richardson-Martin of Town and PHC’s Diondre Dowling will contest the Young Player of the Year award.

Sean Brangman of Trojans and Ijahmon Mallory of Hamilton Parish are on the shortlist for Defensive Player of the Year, while Trojans’ Bean and Mikkail Crockwell of Town are in line for the Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Keston Lewis of Flanagan’s Onions and Robin Hood’s Antwan Russell were the Premier Division’s top scorers.

Promoted sides Boulevard and Devonshire Colts, who also won the Shield trophy, will be in line for awards after their successful seasons. Dunn-ya Taylor of Boulevard and Lozendro Symonds of Colts are the leading nonimees for MVP, with Darius Usher of Boulevard and BAA Wanderers’ Laquan Thomas up for the Young Player of the Year award.

Gregory Rose of Colts and BAA’s Nathan Trott are the leading contenders for Goalkeeper of the Year, while Aaron Williams of Boulevard and Brian Dickenson of Paget are the nominees for Coach of the Year.

Boulevard team-mates Tiae-vince Douglas and Ian Coke were the leading scorers in the First Division.

Devonshire Cougars and PHC in the Premier Division and First Division sides Young Men’s Social Club and Somerset Eagles are up for the Fair Play awards.

Order of Merit awards will be handed out to those who have served the BFA and football in an exemplary manner. The event will begin at 6.30pm. Tickets are available from the BFA office.