Newly-crowned Bermuda Day Half-Marathon Derby men's and women's champions Chris and Ashley Estwanik will be the guest speakers at the Football Academy's annual prizegiving ceremony at Saltus Grammar School on Sunday.

The Estwaniks both set new records on the re-measured 13.1 mile course on the way to becoming the first couple to claim men's and women's honours in the Island's premier road race.

And now they are keen to inspire others and enlighten them on what it takes to reach the top.

"We just want to be able to reach out to the kids and communicate to them what it takes to be successful in anything you put your mind to. For me it's running and there's just so many things you can achieve if you put your body and mind to it," Chris told The Royal Gazette.

'"That's the basic message we hope to get across. We want the kids to know there's going to be highs and lows and sacrifices that need to be made to make certain things happen in life. And the sooner you can get that mindset as a young man the better because almost every lesson I've learned through running has really taught me a lot about life."

Academy director and national football coach Kenny Thompson added: "We believe it is a wonderful opportunity for the players to receive first-hand advice from Chris and Ashley on the commitment, self-discipline, focus and perseverance required in order to reach the optimal levels demonstrated during their record-breaking Bermuda Half Marathon performances."

The Academy's Under-13 and Under-11 teams will travel to Holland in August where matches have been arranged for them against their counterparts from Ajax of Amsterdam.

Last season saw the Academy's Under-18 youth team raise the Under-18 Knockout Cup in Holland.