Get to know more about our staff and Executives
Peter Wilson - Chairman
Co-opted by Dennis Brown and Lew Simmons in the early days of the School, Peter brings his ambition and drive to the School. A believer in providing young people with opportunity and responsibility, Peter aims to expand the School and to establish it as an institution in its own right.
This is only possible through having an excellent management team, see all those listed below and the highly motivated coaches, who all work together and share respect for each other’s talents and a firm belief in giving back to society and helping young people make right choices. It is an integral part of our Brazilian Football School programmes that we encourage our young players to become coaches with responsibility for the younger players.
The Brazilian Football School teaches individual skills and personal responsibility in order to create citizens with an investment in the well-being of Bermuda and their fellow citizens. Peter is an example to would be participants in the Brazilian Football School programmes; he has no background in football; you do not have to be an all-star athlete to be a useful member of our School; you just have to care about yourself, about others and about society.
Calvin Blankendal - Chief Executive Officer
Cal Blankendal is first and foremost an avid sports fan who is actively involved in the development of football in Bermuda. His keen interest in football via the Western Stars Sports Club (Dandy Town) led him to becoming a President and Vice President of WSSC and a BFA 1st Vice President and BFA Youth Chairman. Cal Blankendal’s main objectives are to advance Bermuda’s technical and administrative development in football and offer a support network for all youth players irrespective of their club affiliation.
Cal Blankendal has built up an extensive network of friends, colleagues and contacts in the ‘Family of Football’ and will use his relationships to bring a dynamic touch to Bermuda’s Brazilian Football School.
Calvin is married to Pearl and has 3 daughters (Valerie, Daphne & Cally) of which Cally is following in her father’s footsteps, by playing for the Dandy Stars and West Pembroke Primary School women’s teams. Calvin has represented Dandy Town and the Bermuda Football Association at all youth levels and played 3 Premier Divison matches, before relocating to Amsterdam, Holland at the age of 19. Since returning to Bermuda in 2001, he has been active in football and will continue to be involved in the game for many years to come. Calvin currently serves as the:
- CEO – BERMUDA’S BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL SCHOOL
- DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL WESTERN STARS SPORTS CLUB (DANDY TOWN)
His football experience has seen him receive various certificates:
- FIFA FUTURO III ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTORS COURSE
- BFA CERTIFIED YOUTH REFEREE
- BERMUDA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION BERMUDA C & B COACHING CERTIFICATES
His passion for the ‘Beautiful Game’ has allowed him to travel and gain firsthand insight into the professional world of football:
- INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY USA VS BRASIL - CHICAGO
- FIFA CONGRESS IN SWITZERLAND
- FIFA U14 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH 6 A SIDE TOURNAMENT - SWITZERLAND
- FIFA WORLD CUP IN 2006 – GERMANY
- INTERNATIONAL USA TEAM MANAGERS WORKSHOP
- BFA U15’S HEAD OF DELEGATION TO READING, USA
- BFA U17’S WOMEN’S WC QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT HEAD OF DELEGATION TO PUERTO RICO
- CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND DUTCH EREDIVISIE MATCHES
Dennis Brown - Director of Coaching
First represented Somerset as a 9 year old in the under 16 age group, a 12 year old in the under 16 age group and played first senior game as a 16 year old. Became captain of the senior team at 18 years old and led them to 4 league titles, 3 Martonmere Cups, 3 Friendship Trophies, 2 FA Cups and I was the youngest player to win the senior MVP Trophy twice by the time I was 20 years old, the first one at 18 and the second one at 20 years old. Been at the national level since the age of 12 years old, captained Bermuda at the u-16, u-21, u-23 and senior levels.
Had trials at Luton Town who were then in the English Second Division about to gain promotion to the First Division. Was 19 years old at the time and the then Manager David Pleat told me after 8 weeks that if I were a year younger I would have been a definite pick but at that time they were looking for a bit of experience to play in the First Division. The experience helped me to become one of the most dominant players in Bermuda and the Concacaf region.
First coached Telecom Women from 1990 – 1993 and they went undefeated in those three years by winning the league and knockout trophies.
Coached Wolves Sports Club to their first ever domestic trophies in 2001 and 2002 by winning the Martonmere and Dudley-Eve Trophies.
Coached Somerset to their first senior trophies in 18 years in 2006 -2007 by winning the Dudley-Eve and Friendship Trophies. The team was relegated the following season but gained promotion back to the Premier Division this past season by placing second in the League, runner-up in the Dudley-Eve Final and winners of the Shield Final.
Coached Somerset under-15 team to the first title in that age group at the club for over 20 years by going undefeated to win the league and knock-out competitions.
Dr Llewlyn Simmons - Ex Officio
Lew is notably known to the kids as, “Keeper Lew” or Dr. Lew for his accomplishments as a goal keeper for Somerset Trojans and Bermuda’s National youth and senior teams from 1974 to 1990 and as an educator. Lew has won just about every major honour in Bermuda Football, including being one of only two goal keepers to win the coveted Bermuda Most Valuable Player Award, which Lew achieved in 1984.
Football has always served as a platform for other successes in Lew’s life. He credits his football gifts for “paying” the way for his academic success. He is a scholar-athlete, having been awarded numerous athletic and academic scholarships as a student of Plymouth State College of the University of New Hampshire, Howard University, and Miami University of Ohio.
As a college athlete he has won two MVP awards, three New England regional championship titles, and two NCAA quarter final appearances.
Lew is a visionary. He is the co-founder of the Bermuda Brazilian Football School and serves as an Ex Offico officer for the school. It is his passion for education that drives his desire to serve others, especially the youth.
Lew is the father of Jerusa, one who he says is destined for greatness.
His current service is to:
- The Ministry of Education as Director of Academics
- Somerset Cricket Club as the former Vice President and current Club Researcher
- President of BeMPowered Innovations LLC
- Somerset CC Trojans Football Academy youth coach
Notable Youth Football Memories:
Always winning with the SCC Trojans
- Being acknowledged for outstanding performances against Chelsea, Spurs, and West Ham United while on tour representing Somerset CC
- Meeting Pele
Where football is being played globally, Lew has travelled. The beautiful game has blessed him to meet the WORLD.
Being a PROFESSIONAL . . . is giving quality service
Vincent Minors - Director of Equipment
Suzanne Wilson – Director of Administration
Suzanne has a history of sporting achievements and represented Bermuda in international swimming events. A former triathlon participant Suzanne blends her knowledge of sports training with her MBA to be the power house of Bermuda’s Brazilian Football School administration, without which we would not travel or host events. Suzanne believes in achieving responsibility and self awareness in our youth through our training and international travel programmes.