Bermuda Police Rugby Football Club are celebrating winning the men’s division in the Bermuda Rugby Moongate League, while Teachers clinched the women’s title.

Five wins from seven matches secured the league for Police, while Teachers were more dominant as they recorded nine victories in ten encounters.

For Tom Grover’s Police side, it is their first league triumph since 2014, with their success this season bringing to an end the dominance enjoyed by Teachers.

Darren Richardson, the Police captain, described winning the league as an unforgettable experience for him and his team-mates.

“The Bermuda Police Rugby Club’s league triumph this season marks a truly special moment, not just for the team but for the entire rugby community,” Richardson said.

“Winning our first title since 2014 shows just how much dedication, resilience and hard work has gone in. Credit must go to head coach Tom Grover, who clearly found the right mix of tactics, motivation and perhaps a few well-timed words at half-time to get the job done.

“As captain, I can honestly say I am extremely proud of this group. Not just for the result, but for the effort, commitment and sense of humour they brought to every training session and match, even when things got tough.

“What makes this achievement even more meaningful is the broader story of the season. This was not just a victory for one club, but a reflection of the collective effort across all three teams in the league.

“In a year where simply getting games played sometimes felt like a win in itself, every side stepped up, shuffled players, shared resources and made sure rugby stayed alive.

“At times it felt less like a competition and more like a well organised bit of chaos, but somehow it worked.”

With numbers continuously dropping for the men’s game in Bermuda, the Police captain expressed his appreciation to Renegades for the close collaboration between the two clubs.

“Special mention must be made of the collaboration between Police and Renegades, which showed exactly what rugby is all about,” he said.

“Respect, unity and occasionally lending each other a player or two just to make sure there were enough bodies on the pitch.

“Renegades also deserve credit for bringing in quality players late in the season. It certainly kept things interesting and showed that the effort to recruit and strengthen the squad is very much alive.”

The league-winning captain lauded former champions Teachers for their persistent work in giving opportunities to the island’s youth.

“Finally, a big thank you must go to Teachers, whose continued efforts to bring young Bermudians into the game are vital for the future of rugby on the island,” he added.

“Without that pipeline, there would be no future players, no future teams and probably a lot fewer people willing to wake up early on a weekend to get tackled.

“This league win is more than just a trophy. It is proof that even in challenging times, a bit of teamwork, flexibility and good humour can keep the sport going strong in Bermuda.”

For Heidi Groves, the Teachers captain, winning the league success is a reward for not giving up. Last season, Police were the champions, while Teachers won the Scully Cup.

“As Teachers women, we are so proud to be the league winners of 2026,” Groves said.

“We’ve had a few years of coming close, but to finally earn the silverware shows our perseverance and how much it means to us.

“Teachers women are usually looked at as the underdogs, but we are proving our resilience and efforts through training and consistency.

“We couldn’t do it without our amazing coach, Alvin Harvey, and the support of our president, Gillian Cross. We’re super excited for what the year has to bring and next season.”

As they plan for next season, Groves has asked those interested in joining the club to reach out.

“Rugby is a growing community and it’s our mission to maintain the sport on the island,” she added.

“We are always looking for new recruits and people to join our family, even if it’s just social. If you’re interested in joining the rugby community and particularly, the Teachers family, please e-mail trfc.secretary@hotmail.com.”