The Bermuda Football Association presented Legends Scholarships Awards to five deserving student/football players at the Clyde Best Centre of Excellence on Thursday evening.

The five recipients were selected by the BFA Scholarship Awards selection committee which consisted of chairman Robert Horton, Llewelyn Simmons, Anthony Mouchette, Calvin Symonds, Diane Hunt and Crenstant Williams.

Danni Watson is the recipient of the Lesley Cherry White Scholarship valued at $5,000 per year for two years. Watson, the national girls under-17 captain and the past captain of the under-15s, will continue her studies at the Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts with the aim of obtaining her high school diploma in 2022.

Watson stated that the Legends Scholarship will enhance her development because it will help her to grow as a person, football player, leader and coach.

“Being able to further my education abroad will open more pathways for me and feed my focus and determination to reach the highest level of football,” Watson said.

Damion Simmons is the recipient of the Robert Calderon Scholarship valued at $5,000 per year for two years. Simmons, who plays for Devonshire Cougars, will pursue a degree in Human Kinetics at the Saint Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia with the goal of completing his studies by 2023.

Following a successful 2018-19 season with the Cougars, Simmons is a testament to the values of never giving up, keeping focused even when tired, showing perseverance and most importantly respect. “Football has showed me the importance of time-making, discipline, teamwork, setting goals and the importance of having the right mindset and attitude,” Simmons said.

“With this scholarship I can start my education at Saint Francis Xavier University.”

Calon Minors is the recipient of the Allan Peacock Scholarship valued at $5,000 per year for two years. Combining his studies with playing for BAA, Minors embraces the opportunities to grow from adversity and to work on a team and communicate. He will receive further opportunities as he continues his Master of Art in Educational Leadership and Management at the University of Hull in the United Kingdom with a completion date in 2020.

“Football has been a passion for me all my life, but more than that, it has been a great teacher,” Minors said. “My desire now is to transfer these lessons to the next generation, it would be unfair to do otherwise. The BFA Legends Scholarship will help me realise those dreams.”

Keishon Bean is the recipient of the Randy Bean Scholarship valued at $5,000 per year for two years. Farleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey is the destination for the PHC midfielder who will pursue a degree in marketing with an expected completion date in 2023.

Bean suffered what he described as a devastating tear to his LCL ligament last season, and though the injury was very upsetting, it was a very strong lesson for him as he realised that in any sport your playing career may be over with something as simple as a tackle and that a fall back plan is needed.

“This lesson has helped me to grow physically and mentally, understanding that every setback is preparing me for a major comeback,” he stated.

Cory Booth is the recipient of the Richard Calderon Scholarship valued at $5,000 per year for two years. The PHC player will head to the Hope International University in Fullerton, California to pursue his passion through a degree in business management with a completion date set for 2022.

“When I find myself thinking about why the best of the best are where they are in the business world and in football, the answers are quite alike,” Booth said. “Being prepared, hardworking and focused are integral parts of the puzzle I assemble in my everyday life.

“Bermuda is a small pool of competition and leaving made me realise there is a whole ocean out there fighting for the same thing as me and I am more than excited to begin a new journey.”

BFA president Mark Wade was delighted with the level of applicants received for this year’s edition of the BFA Legends Scholarships Awards programme. The executive council is committed to promoting education as one of its important strategic goals to enhance the lives of players through the sport of football.

Players who aspire to further their academics are encouraged to apply for the next edition of the scholarships in 2020.