The Pickleball Association of Bermuda has announced the team to represent the island on home soil at the Caribbean Pickleball Championships next month.

The squadfeatures Gavin Manders and Sasha Fisher as co-captains, with the two experienced players expected to provide leadership and stability both on and off the court.

Manders is part of the men’s elite team with Benjamin Jones, Jamie Stowe (player and coach), Tom Mills and Mical Russell.

The women’s team is made up of Fisher, Patricia Mills, Melisa Judd, Lily Hallett and Naphisa Smith.

As the island prepares for the tournament, which is scheduled for March 16 to 21 at WER Joell Tennis Stadium, Manders declared that the team will be ready to put their title on the line.

“As national director and co-captain, I feel the weight of it and I welcome it,” said Gavin Manders.

“This isn’t just about hosting. It’s about defending our ground, raising our standard and showing the Caribbean exactly who Bermuda is when we compete together with intention.

“This team is battle proven at the highest levels and understands the task at hand. We are preparing with purpose and we’re going to hold each other accountable, because that’s what moments like this demand.

“While we battle, we lead. There will be young players in the stands watching how we respond to pressure, how we support each other and how we carry ourselves when it gets tough.

“On home soil, we plan on setting the tone right from the beginning. This is bigger than a tournament, it’s an opportunity to inspire the next generation.”

Fisher emphasised the tactical focus required to compete at the highest level.

“Hosting raises the standard,” Fisher said.

“Our focus is preparation, discipline and execution. If we control the details in training, we give ourselves the best chance to perform when it matters most.”

George Thomas, the PAB president, highlighted the broader significance of the moment for Bermuda.

“This team has been forged through the highest levels of international competition,” Thomas said.

“Our gold medal at the 2025 Caribbean Nations Cup and our performances at the 2024 and 2025 World Cup were not accidents — they are the product of a deliberate high-performance system built over three years.

“When we welcome the Caribbean to Bermuda in March, we showcase what our community of 63,000 can achieve through commitment, structure and belief.

“Every athlete on this roster carries that responsibility and every young player watching from the stands will see exactly what's possible. We are ready, this is Bermuda’s time.”