Bermuda’s No 1 men’s singles badminton player, Aaron Simmons, will make history when he represents Bermuda at the Jamaica International Badminton Tournament in Kingston next month.

At just 24 years old, Simmons will become the first Bermudian male badminton player to compete internationally in the Caribbean since the 1980s, marking a significant milestone for the sport in Bermuda.

The achievement is particularly meaningful as Simmons follows in the footsteps of his first coach and mentor, Harold Minors, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Minors was the last Bermudian to compete in a Badminton World Federation (BWF) sanctioned international tournament and also represented Bermuda at various tournaments throughout the Caribbean.

Inspired by Minors’ dedication to developing the sport locally, Simmons has also committed himself to giving back to the community. Through coaching junior players in Bermuda, he hopes to inspire the next generation of badminton talent and share his passion for the game.

“I’m excited to break new ground for Bermuda in international badminton,” Simmons said.

“My goal is to gain as much knowledge and experience as possible, not only to improve as a player but also to help coach and develop the youth back home in Bermuda. Ultimately, I want to become the first Bermudian to achieve a men’s singles world ranking.”

For the past eight years, Simmons has competed in numerous individual tournaments in both the United Kingdom and the United States, gaining valuable international experience. He is also a member of Bermuda’s Island Games badminton team, which will travel to the Faroe Islands in July 2027.

In preparation for the Jamaica International Tournament, Simmons has been undertaking an intensive training programme and will be accompanied by his coach Rebecca Pantaney.

Pantaney brings a wealth of international experience, having won gold with the England women’s team at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and more recently securing bronze medals in both ladies’ doubles and mixed doubles at the 2025 BWF World Senior Championships in Thailand.

Her guidance will be invaluable as Simmons begins his journey towards achieving a BWF men’s singles world ranking, with the Jamaica International Tournament serving as the first step in that process.

Simmons expressed his gratitude to the organisations that have supported his journey to Jamaica: lead sponsor Puddy’s Enterprise, the Bermuda Badminton Association, coaching company ABC Fundamentals and Elere Sports.