Bermuda Football President Richard Calderon replied to questions put to him by www.islandstats.com in response to the lack of coverage young people have gotten over the last two weeks in the press.
The Bermuda Football Association would like to take this opportunity to appreciate and recognize the participation of the young football players in the BSSF All Star Game and Schools finals over the past two weekends held at the National Stadium. The importance of this cannot be understated as it greatly impacts the development of the student by marrying education with football.
The BSSF All Star Game and Schools finals are an integral part of the BFA’s Strategic Plan aimed at rebuilding the competitiveness of Bermuda football. Various initiatives have been put in place to identify, tap and grow the abundant football talent in the country. These include:-
1. The Prep School tour in the US which has enabled 9 student-players get sponsorship and financial aid opportunities;
2. Rolling out the National Academy which offers our youth players the opportunity to develop their game;
3. Increasing the Legends Scholarship awards from $50,000 to $75,000 per year so that more student football players can benefit from this fund;
4. Hiring of an Education Consultant who’s remit is ensure that promising young football players are prepared to pass entry exams into Prep Schools and Colleges in the US; and
5. Continuously engaging with prominent Prep Schools and Colleges in the US to identify educational opportunities for deserving student-footballers
The BFA has partnered with the BSSF and this will see 18 young men represent Bermuda in the Capital Area Soccer League tournament from December 11th to December 12th 2009. This is the first time that a national team will take part in the tournament, and the tournament also provides exposure opportunities for our young players as it will be attended by close to 400 College coaches.
The Bermuda Football Association applauds each and every player, coach, school and Bermuda School Sports Foundation for undertaking the programme. Based on the talent displayed we are very confident that with a continued partnership between the BSSF and the BFA we will return to the days where many of our youth players will secure educational opportunities in the North America Colleges and Universities.
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