Caitlyn Bobb and Sebastian Kempe were recognised as Bermuda’s finest athletes at the 44th Annual Government Sports Awards on Saturday night.

At a glittery ceremony organised by the Department of Sport and Recreation at Hamilton Princess, Bobb was acknowledged for her exploits on the track while Kempe’s achievements in sailing got him the top accolade.

Bobb was rewarded for qualifying to compete in the 400 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, clinching silver at the Junior Pan American Games, gold at the Atlantic Coast Conference Outdoor Championships and silver at the ACC Indoor Championships.

“This honestly feels amazing because I haven’t been able to represent Bermuda in a way which I know I can in a minute,” Bobb told The Royal Gazette.

“So being able to get back out there and really put my country on the map and people acknowledging that and rallying around me and supporting me, it’s actually an amazing feeling. I was just smiling all night.”

As she prepares to fly the island’s flag at the Indoor World Championships in Katowice, Poland, the 22-year-old is determined to continue defying the odds. She is also hoping to represent the island at the Commonwealth Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games.

“Some of the best moments for me last year was winning ACC specifically because some people told me that I couldn’t do it,” Bobb said.

“But now they know I’m able to do it. I made it to the Word Championships, now I’m going to my first World Indoors and I just won the Sportswoman of the Year Award, it’s like the icing on the cake.

“Seeing how much of my hard work I put in and seeing the result of that, it definitely made me see that I can run with the most elite people, even Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

“Just continuing being consistent and giving it time, God’s timing, of course. But really just showing up every day, even though every day is not a good day.

“After Indoor Worlds, I don’t have anything planned as of right now. But we have the Commonwealth Games, that’s the biggest thing going.

“Then we also have the CAC Games, so definitely gearing up and putting myself on the great path towards that.

“I’m in conversation right now with the Bermuda Olympic Association and the Bermuda National Athletics Association to see what my schedule looks like, so I can be able to participate in whichever meet I'm supposed to participate in.”

Kempe won silver at the Junior Pan American Games, finished twelfth at the International Laser Class Association Under-21 World Championships and was first at ILCA US Midwinters East regatta.

In a pre-recorded message, the 20-year-old Kempe, who is in Spain preparing for the Princess Sofia Trophy in Mallorca, starting on March 27, expressed his appreciation to all those who contributed to his success last year.

“Thank you very much for honouring me with this award,” Kempe said.

“I’d like to thank the Bermuda Sailing Association, my parents, as well as the countless others who make this campaign possible.

“It is a privilege to represent Bermuda every day on the water and it’s one that I’m very grateful for.

“I love sailing for my country and I will continue to represent Bermuda with pride everywhere I go.”

Archer Robin Selley and swimmer Elijah Daley were adjudged the female and male Junior Athlete of the Year, respectively.

Selley, who represented Bermuda at the Junior Pan American Games, expressed her appreciation to those forming the backbone of her blossoming career.

“ I just thank you so much, especially to the Department of Sport and Recreation, the Premier, Minister and everyone, not only for the award, but the amount of support that I know they’ve given all of us for every sport,” she said.

“Thank you to my team-mates and my coaches for being there for me from day one.

“My teachers at school at BHS give me breaks when I miss my exams for a competition. My family, my parents and my friends for being the best support system in the world.”

In a pre-captured message delivered to the audience, Daley was humbled to retain the award he won a year ago.

“It’s truly an honour to receive this award,” the 19-year-old said.

“I’m thankful to the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association for nominating me for this honour. I’m also sincerely thankful to the Department of Sport and Recreation for their tremendous support.

“I wish I could have been there in person to thank everyone. However, I’m in the middle of a big competition, so I’m unable to attend.

“I want to acknowledge the other athletes. They’ve worked incredibly hard all year and I know the dedication and discipline that goes into competing at this level.

“I’m grateful to God for guiding my path and giving me the strength to continue to keep pushing forward.

“I’m thankful to my coaches and my team-mates at the University of Toronto, who have welcomed me and helped me to push and grow every single day.

“To coach Shona Palmer, thank you for your guidance in Paraguay and Budapest. Of course, coach Ben Smith, I truly appreciate the encouragement and the shout outs, they mean more than you know.

“I want to thank my family, thank you to my sister, Lily, who is an incredible athlete herself and who has always been very supportive. I’m also grateful to my brother, Ethan, for his encouragement and support.

“Thank you to my auntie Pat, who has travelled internationally to support me in competitions, that means so much to me.

“Most especially, I want to thank my mum. Through all the highs and the tough moments, she’s believed in me and been in my corner.

“She’s told me, it’s not about how you fall down, but it’s about how you get back up. I held onto that as I pushed through this year and continued to improve.

“I’m excited for this next chapter and I’m proud to keep representing Bermuda.”

As a reward for qualifying for the World Group II promotion play-offs, where they went on to overcome Georgia, the Davis Cup tennis side won the male Team of the Year.

The female accolade went to netball, who entered the World Netball rankings in twentieth position.

Coached by Kimale Evans and Anthony Mouchette, the Longtails finished second to Canada at the Battle of the Isles, held in Sint Maarten and Sint Eustatius last October, with the side also confirmed as qualified for the CAC Games

Debré Evans, the national netball captain, felt that the appreciation for the sport was long overdue.

“It’s a completely amazing honour to be able to win Team of the Year,” Evans said.

“I feel like we’ve worked really hard and netball never really gets any recognition. It’s really amazing that we are being recognised for the hard work we put in and all that we’ve dedicated to the sport.

“Obviously, we haven’t played internationally in a while, so it’s good to finally be back in the international spotlight and to do so well that we’ve obtained our top 20 ranking.

“It’s just really great that the community recognise the hard work we put in and are willing to show us the appreciation that Bermuda has for us.

“We’re really looking forward to going to the CAC Games and doing well there. Hopefully, you’ll see us back here next year.”

The team leader acknowledged the coaches for performing duties that usually go unappreciated.

“I just want to give a big shout out to our coaches because obviously it’s not possible without the coaches and coaching is a thankless job and they coach for free,” she added.

“They give up their time and their energy to push us to get to the next step. So we couldn’t really have gotten her without the coaches.

“Yes, we got here through teamwork and ability, but at the end of the day, the coaches had a vision and they brought the vision together.

“Big up to the coaches because honestly, they are in a position where they don’t get as much recognition, but really they are the glue that holds everybody together.”

Reflecting on the team’s return from international wilderness, vice-captain Kianté Lightbourne thought that they achieved a lot through tenacity.

“Everyone’s worked really hard to get to this place and for us to put on a performance that makes Bermuda proud,” she said.

“Last year this time, I don’t know if any of us would have thought this was possible. It’s a huge honour and it shows the strides that netball is taking forward.

“We’re going to show up in a new competition for us and continue to make Bermuda and Netball Bermuda proud.”

In his last speech at the awards as Premier, David Burt pledged continued support for the betterment of sport on the island.

“Bermudian athletes achieved international success with top-tier finishes and medals earned across major competitions, while national records and historical milestones were set,” Burt said.

“Bermudian football also marked an historic chapter with a major international campaign and the retirement of Reggie Lambe, the country’s most capped player, signalling the end of an era.

“Junior athletes performed internationally, earning medals and securing scholarships, overseas training placements and inclusion in high performance programmes.

“None of this happens by accident. It is built by coaches who demand standards, the officials and the volunteers who keep sports running and the families who sacrifice time and money so athletes can keep going.

“The government will continue to do its part through increased support for our sporting bodies, expanded grants for elite athletes and investments in coaching and youth development.”

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