Justin Donawa

Justin Donawa (born 27 June 1996) is a Bermudian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Bermuda national football team.

Donawa was a cricket player and triple jumper while growing up in Bermuda, winning three medals in regional competitions and competing at the 2013 World Youth Championships in Athletics. He found success, however, in football, coming to the United States to attend the Berkshire School and then Dartmouth College. Donawa won three Ivy League championships with the Big Green, appeared during school breaks with Somerset Trojans, and spent time in the collegiate offseason with Black Rock FC. He was drafted by Columbus Crew in the third round of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, but was not signed by the club.

Donawa represented Bermuda at U20 level before breaking into the senior national team in 2015. He scored his first two goals for his country on his second cap, coming against the Bahamas in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

Early life Born in Sandys Parish, Bermuda, Donawa grew up playing three sports: he ran track and field and played football and cricket during his youth. Donawa took part in the Bermuda Football Association's prep school tour in 2010, earning himself a spot at the Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts. Competing alongside Jack Harrison and countryman Zeiko Lewis, Donawa was part of a Berkshire team that won NEPSAC Class A state titles in 2012, 2013, and 2014. He was selected to take part in the 2014 High School All-America Game, alongside Harrison and fellow NEPSAC players Francis Atuahene and Edward Opoku.

At club level, Donawa appeared for Black Rock FC during his time at the Berkshire School. He committed to play college soccer for coach Chad Riley and the Dartmouth Big Green.

College and amateur Donawa debuted for Dartmouth on 3 October 2015, coming off the bench in the Big Green's Ivy League opener against Princeton. He played 48 minutes of a 1–0 Dartmouth victory. Donawa scored his first collegiate goal on 24 October, tallying the game-winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Columbia, and scored his first NCAA tournament goal on 22 November as Dartmouth were eliminated in the second round by Syracuse. Although he appeared in just 10 games, Donawa tallied two goals and three assists and was named Honorable Mention All-Ivy. As a sophomore, Donawa won a regular spot in the Dartmouth lineup, putting up stats of three goals and four assists in 17 appearances. All three of his goals were game-winners: against Seattle on 11 September 2016, New Hampshire on 5 October, and Columbia on 22 October. Dartmouth won their third consecutive Ivy League crown and again advanced to the NCAA tournament, but were eliminated in the second round by Syracuse for the second consecutive season; Donawa was again named Honorable Mention All-Ivy. added a goal and an assist in a 2–1 win over Princeton on 30 September, and scored in a 3–0 win over Hofstra on 3 October, all part of a three-goal, one-assist performance in a four-game span. Donawa was named First Team All-Ivy following the season. He scored game-winning goals in back-to-back overtime victories, against Massachusetts on 22 September 2018 and Albany on 25 September, He finished his collegiate career with ten goals from 50 appearances. and the U-14 KO Cup. He made his senior debut for Somerset on 2 January 2014, appearing off the bench in the Friendship Trophy final as the Trojans claimed a 3–2 victory against Hamilton Parish. He continued to appear for Somerset for four more seasons, albeit infrequently as he could only play for the club while on breaks from school. and helping the club to claim their first Bermudian Premier Division title in 22 years. He was unable to appear in the title-deciding victory over Southampton Rangers, however, after suffering a sprained ankle while on international duty. Donawa helped the club to another championship in 2015–16, appearing in the Friendship Trophy while on holiday from school. He scored the final goal of a 3–0 victory against Hamilton Parish in the semifinals, giving Somerset the chance to win their eleventh Friendship Trophy after the new year. Against PHC Zebras in the final, Donawa scored the winning goal just before halftime as the Trojans claimed a 2–1 victory. On 12 December 2016, Donawa scored his first career Bermudian Premier League goal. His eighth-minute strike, off an assist from Hubert Buttersfield, helped Somerset claim a 2–2 draw against Devonshire Cougars. His second league goal had to wait until the 2017–18 season, coming in a 3–1 victory over X-Roads Warriors on 11 December 2017. He also added a goal in the semi-finals of the Expansion League Festive Tournament later that month and played the full 90 minutes in a 3–3 draw with North Village Rams on 17 March that clinched Premier Division safety for Somerset. The match against North Village would mark Donawa's final game with the club, as he was unable to participate during the 2018–19 season due to injury and a lack of international clearance.

Club career

2019 trials Donawa was not selected to take part in the 2019 MLS Combine after struggling through an injury-ridden senior season at Dartmouth. He went on trial at Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen during December, and although he "definitely got good feedback" was not signed by the club. On 14 January 2019, Columbus Crew SC drafted Donawa with the 66th overall pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft. He joined the club for preseason as an unsigned draft pick, but was released midway through camp without earning a contract. Following his release, Donawa went on an unsuccessful trial with USL Championship club Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. He continued his search for a club following the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, moving to England and going on trial with National League North side Darlington. Donawa impressed manager Alun Armstrong during his trial, tallying a goal in a friendly against Northallerton Town while being described as "a game-changer" and "as good as gold".

Darlington After impressing during his trial with Darlington, Donawa was offered a deal for the 2019–20 season. He joined fellow Bermudian international Osagi Bascome with the Quakers. He made his first start two weeks later in a 2–0 win at home to Southport, showing his pace on the left wing before being switched to right wing-back after a defensive injury. Donawa's first National League North goal was a late winner in Darlington's first away win of the season, against Alfreton Town. He continued as a regular in matchday squad, apart from when required for international duty, although became frustrated at being used as an impact substitute rather than in the starting eleven. According to the Northern Echo review, Donawa "married electric pace with impressive aerial ability to score nine goals in his debut season", which made him the team's second highest scorer. and added another two goals from five matches before leaving the club in October 2020.

Solihull Moors On 27 October 2020, Donawa signed for Solihull Moors of the fifth-tier National League. The fee was undisclosed, but was understood by North East Sports News to be £15,000 plus add-ons. He made his debut four days later as a second-half substitute in a 3–1 defeat away to Maidenhead United.

He was one of four players to be offered a new contract at the end of the 2022–23 season.

Altrincham Donawa signed for Altrincham on 23 June 2023, becoming the club's seventh signing ahead of the 2023–24 National League season. He was a matchday regular in the early months of the season,

Brackley Town On 26 November 2024, Donawa joined National League North side Brackley Town.

Hereford On 2 January 2026, Donawa was released from his contract with Brackley and signed for National League North club Hereford, joining at the same time as fellow Bermudan international Keziah Martin. In April 2026, he left the club to return to his native Bermuda with his family.

International career Donawa first broke into the Bermudian international setup at the under-20 level, appearing during 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship qualifying. He received his first senior call-up for a training camp ahead of the first round of 2018 World Cup qualification and received his first cap in a friendly against Grenada on 6 March 2015. He played 58 minutes of a 2–2 draw before being substituted for Jalen Harvey. Donawa made his competitive debut for the Gombey Warriors on 25 March 2015, starting and scoring his first two international goals in a 5–0 World Cup qualifying victory against the Bahamas. His 57th- and 70th-minute goals were the fourth and fifth strikes of the night for Bermuda. Donawa continued to be called up during his time at Dartmouth, earning eight caps over his four years with the Big Green. his grandfather, Delwyn Trott, played for the inaugural Devonshire Colts side in the 1950s; and his younger brother Mateo played alongside him for Somerset Trojans. As a youth, Donawa played cricket for the Somerset Cricket Club, competing as a fast bowler. He was called into a training squad for the Bermuda national team in May 2016, but was forced to give up the sport while going to school in the United States. He also competed in the 2013 World Youth Championships in Athletics, placing seventh in the triple jump with a personal best of 15.65 metres.

At Dartmouth, Donawa continued to compete in the triple jump while also beginning to compete in the long jump. He placed second in the triple jump at the 2016 Ivy League Indoor Championship with a jump of 15.57 metres, his collegiate-best mark. In 2017, Donawa took 17th place at the NCAA East Regional during the outdoor season.

Career statistics

Club

International updated|match played 21 November 2023| 2015, 2016, 2017 Honorable Mention All-Ivy: 2015, 2016 First Team All-Ivy: 2017

Brackley Town: National League North: 2024–25

Track and field Dartmouth All-Ivy League (triple jump – indoors): 2016, 2018