It’s not just a game- it’s our History
I have decided for history sake to record the names of the cricket players that were fortunate enough to be awarded the Bermuda Friendly Societies Sportsmanship award since it’s inception in 2004.
The story of how the annual two day cricket event came about has been told a number of ways . As a descendant of a family hearing the account from members of my family that were in full throws of the Lodges from their inception, now that I have been associated with the Lodge #9387 I cherished the accounts of the beginnings of this game with interest, not realizing at that time that someday I would become a part of preserving that history in recording the facts as they were related to me.
The story maybe repetitive but it has been stated that once free many of the persons that were slaves or descendants of slaves had organized various lodges in Bermuda and once a year during the summer months they would gather and have family picnics, on those days the game of cricket was played first between two lodges both connected to the Grand United Order of the USA.
They were the Somers Pride of India #899 from St. George’s and Victoria and Albert Lodge #1027. As the game grew it was decided to turn it over to two clubs, one from the East and one from the West. The rest as the story goes is history , the Friendly Society stepped back and played little to no role in the event for many years, until lodge member Sister Joy Wilson-Tucker suggested that the Society form a combined lodge in 2002. The committee was formed Sister Joy Wilson-Tucker, Brothers Calvin Christopher, Stanford Hart, Earlston Tuzo and Boyd Smith. It was during that time it was decided to make our presence felt again we would have a good sportsmanship award and this would be donated to the player that displayed basic principles of friendship and good sportsman ship over the two day classic. The award event would take place during the latter part of July or August of each year, the lucky recipient is chosen by the third adjudicator. The event is held at the Manchester Unity Lodge room and to date at least seventeen persons have been chosen.
Clay Smith 2004 Stephen Kelly 2005
2006 &2010
No photo for Sammy Robinson 2008,and Fiqure Crocwell 2009.
There was no ceremony held during 2019-22 because of Covid
While listing the award winners it was noted that most have been selected from the team of St. George’s however organizers noted this and expressed their views so read between the lines my friends. The rest is yet to come.
Researched submitted Joy Wilson -Tucker Lodge #9387 Historian
Site Title The North Village Griot 