Reuben Alias
FOOTBALL
Achievements:
Key Player for Berkeley Institute and Young Men's Social Club: Contributed significantly as a right winger.
Militia Team Success: Integral part of the team that won the Governor's Cup during World War II.
Football Administration:
Elected secretary of Young Men's Social Club in the early 1950s.
Appointed representative to the Bermuda Football League (BFL).
Elected vice president of the BFL.
Referee Leadership:
Chairman of the BFL's Referee's Board.
Outstanding referee known for his authoritative yet quiet demeanor.
Tour Organization:
Organized the first outgoing tour for the BFL and served as its coach and trainer.
Constitution Drafting:
Part of the delegation that drafted a new constitution for the Bermuda Football Association (BFA).
Chaired the Tripartite Committee that wrote a new constitution and by-laws for the merged leagues.
Bermuda Football Union (BFU) Leadership:
Elected the first chairman of the BFU in 1963.
Elected to replace an ailing Dr. King as the BFA president in 1964.
Oversaw the hiring of the BFA's first full-time coach, Graham Adams.
Biography:
Reuben Alias was a towering figure in Bermuda's football scene, both literally and metaphorically. Known for his quiet demeanor and tireless work ethic, he played a crucial role in the development and administration of football in Bermuda, often preferring to work behind the scenes while others took the spotlight.
Alias began his football journey as a player for the Berkeley Institute team and later for the Young Men's Social Club (YMSC) as a right winger. During World War II, he was a key player for the Militia Team, which won the Governor's Cup. While he was a competent footballer, it was in administration where his true talents shone.
In the early 1950s, he was elected secretary of YMSC and appointed as their representative to the Bermuda Football League (BFL), the black league. His leadership qualities were quickly recognized, and he was elected vice president of the BFL.
In this role, Alias served as the chairman of the BFL's Referee's Board, demonstrating his authoritative yet fair approach to the game. He was also an outstanding referee himself, respected by players and officials alike. His contributions to football extended beyond the field as he organized the first outgoing tour for the BFL, serving as coach and trainer.
Alias's administrative acumen was further highlighted when he was part of the delegation that drafted a new constitution for the Bermuda Football Association (BFA). In 1960, when the BFA ruled that the BFL and the Bermuda Football Combination (BFC) had to merge, Alias was chosen to chair the Tripartite Committee to write a new constitution and by-laws. After three years of meticulous work, he was elected the first chairman of the newly formed Bermuda Football Union (BFU) in 1963. Just a year later, he was elected to replace an ailing Dr. King as the BFA president.
During his tenure, Alias played a pivotal role in professionalizing the sport in Bermuda. Under his stewardship, the BFA hired its first full-time coach, Graham Adams, marking a significant step forward in the development of football on the island.
Legacy:
Reuben Alias's legacy is defined by his unwavering commitment to the betterment of football in Bermuda. His leadership and vision helped shape the modern structure of football administration on the island, ensuring that the sport was accessible and organized for future generations. As a referee, administrator, and coach, he set high standards of integrity and dedication. Alias's contributions laid a solid foundation for Bermuda's football, and his work continues to influence the sport today. His legacy serves as an enduring testament to the impact that one dedicated individual can have on a community.