Netball Bermuda president Kimale Evans and captain Debré Evans have reacted with delight after the island returned to the updated World Netball rankings in twentieth position.

Bermuda’s re-entry to the global standings followed the team’s stellar performance in winning silver medals at the Battle of the Isles, which was played in Sint Maarten and Sint Eustatius, at the end of October.

The Longtails, coached by Kimale Evans and Anthony Mouchette, were beaten by Canada but defeated British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Sint Maarten and Sint Eustatius.

Before playing in that tournament Bermuda had not been involved in international action since 2017, when they were ranked 28th in the world. To be given a ranking World Netball requires teams to play a minimum of eight matches over a four-year period.

As a result of their recent matches Bermuda are now ranked fifth in the Americas region behind Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, St Vincent & the Grenadines and Barbados.

“It’s a very emotional and overwhelming feeling,” Evans told The Royal Gazette.

“It’s exciting times for netball in Bermuda. The Netball Bermuda executive and council have been working very diligently and strategically behind the scenes in being very intentional about what we were going to do to get ourselves back on the world ranking stage.

“For us, choosing the Battle of the Isles tournament met and checked off all the boxes that we felt were going to bode well for us as a team and to have come in at 20 has exceeded our expectations by far.

“There were many doubters that had things to say and that further propelled us to make sure that we were going to see success. Coming in at twentieth in the world and the top five in our region, behind the likes of Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados and St Vincent & the Grenadines is major.

“I would just like to thank everyone that backed us and supported us and showered us with favour and love and prayers. We truly appreciate you and promise that the best is yet to come.”

Debre, Evans, the Bermuda captain commended everyone who played a part in ensuring that they regain their global status and hopes that the team’s achievement can create opportunities for young players.

“Waking up to this amazing news was so exciting,” she said.

“I am so proud of everyone that helped Netball Bermuda achieve such an amazing accomplishment and this is the highest ranking we’ve ever achieved. We went from zero to 20 and it’s such a huge deal.

“It’s such an emotional feeling knowing all the hard work put in, in front of and behind the scenes, paid off. I always call my team the Dream Team because it’s full of such phenomenal athletes who work hard constantly.

“This news should open so many doors for us and I am excited for the journey. It should also open doors for our youth, giving them international opportunities because in the end they are the future and will continue the legacy.

“I want to give the hugest shout out to the coaches, Kimale Evans and Anthony Mouchette, for believing in the entire team.

“They tasked us with a job and we did it. They’re Bermudian qualified coaches who guided us to this new stage.”

With Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, England, South Africa and Uganda having already qualified for the 2027 World Cup by virtue of being in the top six, Bermuda will have a chance to make it to the global event if they take part in the regional qualifiers next year.