Pupils from schools across the island debated the importance of physical education and the pressure faced by young athletes at CedarBridge Academy yesterday.

Students from Warwick Academy, Saltus Grammar School, the Bermuda High School for Girls and Somersfield Academy took part in the event that kicked off Celebrating Wellness Week 2026, which centres on the theme “Engage, Empower, Elevate”.

Middle school pupils debated whether schools should prioritise physical education over academic instruction while high school pupils focused on whether parents or coaches are more responsible for youth pressure in sports.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, opened the event and was excited to hear students’ opinions on the topics.

She said: “Through this debate, our young people will lead the conversation — they will challenge ideas, consider different points of view and put forward their very own perspectives and solutions.”

Ms Wilson added: “We know that regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to prevent chronic disease and to support both physical and mental wellbeing.

“That is why this year’s vision is centred on creating an inclusive, connected community where young people are empowered through sport to lead, participate and make their voices heard.”

Two high school teams from Warwick Academy discussed the motion that parents are more responsible for harmful pressure towards youth in sports during the first debate round.

Narayan Mangar, Denis Daurov and Kylen Richard supported the motion while Seri Fischer, Cayzie Ford and Liam Thorne argued against it.

Mr Mangar submitted that children are much more affected by the pressure from their parents than their coaches.

He said: “When a coach applies pressure, a child fears losing the game. When a parent applies pressure, a child fears losing their worth as a human being.

“The damage they cause is exponentially deeper, longer-lasting and far more destructive than a coach can inflict.”

Ms Fisher argued that coaches control sport environments and can normalise pressure across a team.

She insisted: “There’s a huge difference between a coach using constructive criticism and a coach yelling, publicly humiliating and keeping unrealistic expectations.

“This toxic coaching behaviour can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety and depression in athletes, not to mention the physical risks if they are pushed past their body’s limits.”

Mr Daurov suggested that parents who spend a lot of money on their children's sports are disappointed when they don’t do well.

He explained: “The only way they start to recoup their money is to encourage the child — although this encouragement can be positive, sometimes it is negative.

“For those kids who are doing their best and just can’t seem to dribble it between their legs or kick the ball with more power, it can cause severe mental distress.”

Other debaters suggested that some young athletes constantly try to prove their worth to coaches and that some coaches reciprocate by humiliating players throughout the season.

After about ten minutes of deliberating, judges Theo Wolffe, Macy Aicardi and Ajai Peets determined that the team who opposed the motion won the first debate.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Future Leaders Bermuda and the Office of Youth Affairs were among organisations and agencies represented by staffed information tables at the event on Saturday.

Celebrating Wellness Week also includes football and cricket at the National Sports Centre on Monday and Wednesday respectively, netball at Bernard’s Park on Thursday and the finale celebration at Victoria Park on Friday.

All events are set to take place from 5pm to 7.30pm and include activities for children, teenagers and families.

Registration for the events can be completed via jotform.com. Call 278-4900 or e-mail healthpromotion@gov.bm for more information.