Newly installed North Village president DeVrae Tankard aims to continue to build on the club’s rich legacy.

The 39-year-old ran unopposed for the position after the long-serving Shervin Dill stood down at the club’s annual meeting on Thursday.

“It's an honour and a big responsibility to serve as president of the North Village Community Club,” Tankard told The Royal Gazette. “I am indebted to the people that have come before me and am just hoping to carry on the legacy of North Village.”

The former Village and Bermuda defender brings more than 30 years of unwavering commitment to the club, serving in various roles on and off the pitch.

In a statement, the club said the new appointment brings a “unique blend of strategic acumen and community-centred leadership [which] ideally places him to navigate the Premier Division and FA Cup champions into a new exciting era of purpose-driven growth.”

Tankard, a senior reinsurance underwriter and former player, added: “I bring a proven expertise in leadership that entails over 15 years of strategic experience creating and developing strategies that foster growth and innovation via my other roles outside of the club.

“I have over a decade of experience in promoting and leading some of Bermuda's biggest events and festivals. I own and develop a vast portfolio of real estate and have over 30 years of service in various roles at North Village, including youth player, senior player, youth coach, senior coach, board member and referee. From that, I have the cultural competence to understand the club’s needs from every level.”

Tankard has wasted no time setting about trying to achieve his committee’s ambitious vision, which includes expanding member engagement and youth programmes, enhancing club facilities and operations, strengthening partnerships and community outreach, and driving long-term sustainability and performance excellence.

“Generally, we are going to introduce a new operation plan for the upcoming season to ensure the optimisation of the human resource,” he said. “We are going to publish a North Village Community Club website and make sure we are adequate with the resource from an operational standpoint in the first 90 days.

“Long term, we have a big infrastructure project in terms of transforming the grounds to be a first-class sports facility over the next few years.”

Tankard’s initial term as president will last until the 2026 AGM when the position will be up for election in accordance to a recent revision in the club’s constitution.

“We’ve just had some constitutional changes. Traditionally, it’s a two-year term but the president goes up for re-election at every even year,” he explained. “So effectively the president’s position will go up for re-election in 2026, 2028, 2030, 2032. That’s been a recent change to the constitution this year.”

North Village’s new executive committee consists of Ralph Bean Jr, who returns as vice-president, secretary Tache King, assistant secretary Cherie Binns and treasurer Troy Harvey.

Tributes were paid at the AGM to the outgoing president, who is honoured to have served the club in various capacities since 1965.

“It has been the honour of my life to serve this incredible community club,” he said. “I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the people who made this journey unforgettable.

“I thank each one of you for your dedication, your vision and your tireless efforts to steer this club towards success.

“Your hard work and commitment have been the backbone of everything we’ve achieved. From the bold decisions that shaped our future to the long-term hours spent deliberating over the best course forward, your wisdom and perseverance have left an indelible mark on our history.

“As I turn the page to the next chapter of my life, I do so with the utmost confidence in the future of this club. I leave knowing that the foundation and succession plan we have built together will continue to support, sustain and inspire generations to come.”