Andrew Bascome and his coaching staff are in full preparation to get the players ready for its second USL Academy Cup in Tampa Florida, to be held between March 12th – 17th.
Like last year, Bascome Football School is leaving Bermuda with three teams; Boys Under 13, Boys Under 15, and Boys Under 19. Almost all players are FC Bascome players, with two Under 19 players joining the group from Warwick FA-Robin Hood. The whole contingent of 78 people, including coaches, goalkeeping coach, strength and conditioning coach, team managers, and chaperones are leaving on March 12 on Bermuda Air, and will return on March 18th.
“The preparation for this year’s trip really started the day we returned from the event in March last year”, says Bascome. “We have adjusted our curriculum and training schedules to include areas of deficiencies that were identified during last year’s tournament. We have increased the number of practice sessions per week. Our U13/15/17 now practice four times a week, with emphasize on technical skills, positional understanding and formations, strength and conditioning, and recently on mental preparation and training. The players have responded very well to the adjustments, and we can see that their hard work is paying off. We are all very excited to return. For us, USL Academy Cup is not just a well-run and competitive tournament that we are honored to be invited to, but it also serves as a reality check for our players and coaches, allowing them to gauge their improvements and to identify areas of more work and development. All while being surrounded by clubs, players, and the USL organizers who are all willing to share their knowledge and experience. We cannot think of a better way to develop ourselves, our players, and the staff.”
Bascome continues, “Fund raising for this year’s tournament has been very satisfactory. Our parents and players have been fantastic, with over $30,000 raised at various events. Our corporate fund raising has yielded another $35,000, so far, from companies like Aspen Bermuda, Arch Capital Group, Hiscox Insurance Company, and Markel Bermuda. Without the corporate support none of this would be feasible, so we are again, very grateful for their support. We notice that many of the companies are returning donors, and in the case of Aspen Bermuda, they have pledged their continued support for next year as well.”
The donations will allow Bascome Football School to offer an extensive bursary program for over 10 players going to the Academy Cup this year, and a reduction in the total cost of the event by 1/3 for all other participants. Bascome further says; “To meet our objectives to provide our players a real chance to take the sport as far as they can on the international stage, we must continue to invest in resources, coaches, networks, and facilities. On top of that, Bermuda is a high cost environment, so every effort to make our program more viable for all aspiring football players in Bermuda, regardless of financial situation, is very important to us. We owe it to our young people. To many of them football matters a great deal, a fact that should matter to all of us.”
A final thank you goes out to Bermuda Air for taking on the assignment to carry the whole troop. Something no other carrier could do. Makes us feel like a big club traveling when we in essence will have our own private jet….
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