The Bermuda Football Association (BFA) is proud to announce the recipient of the Lesley Cherry White Award. BFA Legend, Lesley Cherry White announced the award in 2019 to be able to send a female National Academy player overseas for elite level training.

The recipient of the Lesley Cherry White Award is Samara Darrell of Bascome Football Leadership Academy (BFLA). Samara recently travelled with the Bermuda Women’s U20 to participate in the Concacaf Women’s U20 Championship Qualifiers in Curacao, in which Bermuda won both qualifiers with a 5-0 and 4-0 win to top their group.

“Lesley Cherry White continues her personal commitment to our young ladies through this award in her name,” said President Mark Wade. “The opportunity to train at a higher level. Adding to her experience of football outside of Bermuda will also be invaluable for Samara.”

Lesley Cherry White said, “Samara possesses all of these attributes.  According to Coach Naquita Robinson "she is a player who is committed, coachable, and a student of the game.  She is a fast learner and is fearless." Coach Robinson said that Samara plays very similar to the way I played as a center-back.  I was fortunate enough to help coach her when she was in middle school, as part of the West All-Star team, and she was humble, confident, and was a solid defender.”

“It is important to develop girls' football in Bermuda, to allow us to compete on the international stage.  We need to encourage girls to play at the club level.  Bermuda is doing a great job of this at the moment, as more and more girls are playing these days.  We have to thank all of the volunteers and coaches for helping to make this happen.”

‍