Been there, done that!

It's a phrase that Tom Smith could use without the slightest hint of arrogance.

Truth is, that in sporting circles within Bermuda, there are few areas where the Englishman who has spent the majority of his life on this Island, hasn't made an impact – either as a sportsman or a sports administrator.

And having recently celebrated his 80th birthday and, no more than his friends would expect, he's still on the move.

Riding his scooter as he has done for 40 years or more, he continues to deliver meals on wheels, often to those much younger than himself.

It's such contributions which continue to make him a friendly and familiar face.

In rugby, swimming, golf and fishing circles, Smith's name will constantly crop up.

But his influence has been felt in a number of other areas.

As a sportsman, he was best known on the rugby field.

He played for Teachers RFC from 1965 to 1969 and represented an Island International XV in the same period, captained Teachers between '67 and '68 and was the International XV skipper in '69. And when the playing boots were hung up, he could still be found on the field as a referee up until 1979.

But his love of the sport can be measured by the variety of roles he tackled as an administrator. Within the Bermuda Rugby Football Union alone he's served as president, public relations officer and manager of the national team. On top of that he's taught rugby in the schools, and offered his services in the Easter Rugby Classic and its successor, the World Rugby Classic, for which he provided live commentary.

Game fishing is another sport with which he has had a passionate love affair.

Before arriving in Bermuda in August, 1964, to take up a teaching post at Sandys Secondary School, he could often be found in the waters of Northern England with rod in hand. And it didn't take him long to get hooked again, spending much of his time with local anglers.

But it wasn't on water but on land where he made his biggest impression.

With Mid Ocean News sports reporter Alan Harman he was responsible for the inaugural MON Wahoo Tournament in 1967, which has continued to be held for the last 40 years.

His other achievements in that sport include helping to found the Sea Horse Anglers Club, of which he became the first president, setting up the annual Bacardi Tournament and organising the first summer Billfish Tournament, his involvement in which led to him being appointed as Bermuda's representative on the world's governing body of game fishing.

Looking back on a journey which has occupied almost all of his spare time outside of education, Smith says he has no regrets.

"I fell in love with Bermuda at first sight as so many arrivals have done over the years," he said.

"Traditionally my love of my first subject, Physical Education, returned as I became aware of the natural talent of the Bermuda youngsters and soon was very much involved in the teaching of that subject."

Two years after his arrival he became chairman of the Bermuda School Sports Federation soccer section and was in charge of the first fully integrated schools soccer league. It wasn't long after he became overall chairman of the BSSF.

Leaving Sandys School, he became head of PE at the Bermuda Technical Institute.

"I remember with great affection," he said, "the four happiest years of my teaching life at BTI. They were a great school of talented and enthusiastic students who were a joy to teach.

"I still meet many of them regularly. I remember most of their names – all of them now between 50 and 55 years old.

In September, 1970, Smith became Sports Advisor to the Bermuda Government's Department of Youth and Sports, partially because the BTI became a part of the new Bermuda College "and the Department of Education in their wisdom and my disgust decided that college students did not need physical education as part of their curriculum . . . what twaddle!"

His employment with the Youth Ministry lasted close to 20 years.

When the opportunity arose, Smith agreed to set up camp on White's Island where as warden he catered to local and overseas groups. For eight years, he and wife Morag lived on the island, travelling every day by boat into Hamilton. "I didn't miss a day throughout the eight years," he recalls.

"It became the most popular and varied vacation programme available to youngsters."

He and his wife were soon to become greatly involved with both swimming and life-saving.

He became secretary of the Bermuda branch of the British Royal Life Saving Society and for 15 years he organised classes both in the winter at Warwick Academy and at Elbow Beach in the summer.

To list all of Smith's accomplishments would fill an entire edition.

He was secretary of the Bermuda Golf Association for several years and has been in involved in many ways with local swimming clubs.

He served on the Bermuda Special Olympics Board, was a member from its inception and president of the Bermuda Bravery Award Association and has been honoured by more than a dozen local and international associations or clubs.

These include Honorary member of the Bermuda Autocycle Union; Honorary chairman of the Bermuda Darts Association; Honorary member of the Harbour Swimming Club; Honorary member of the Sea Horse Anglers Club; Honorary member of the Bermuda Rugby Football Union and Honorary member and vice president of the Police Recreation Club.

He has also served on the Bermuda Special Olympics Board.

It's a sporting career which the Englishman-come-honorary-Bermudian looks back on with no regrets, having experienced both the highs and lows.

"It has become my adopted home. Rarely does a day go by without me being greeted by former students, colleagues of just plain friends who I have made in the forty five years.

"I've spent very few restful moments in a busy life, although admittedly I'm slowing down a bit."