HSBC Pro Soccer Clinic Kicks Off
HSBC Pro Soccer Clinic officially launched today [July 4] at BAA Field, Pembroke. The Clinic is celebrating 20 years of soccer excellence and has trained more than 4,000 youth soccer players.
Soccer players between the ages of 4 – 16 take part in four different clinics aimed at honing their soccer skills. This year the players will be coached by Bermuda’s own David Bascome and a host of overseas and local coaches.
David Bascome, manager of HSBC Pro Soccer Clinic says “Thank you to the parents, my young people, coaches and HSBC for their support and trust in the vision from the first day the clinic was introduced 20 years ago. We have seen many young people come through the clinic and it is our hope that they have carried with them our message of discipline, respect and responsibility, not just for the game but in life as well.”
HSBC has supported the Pro Soccer Clinic from its inception with as few as 60 primary age school children in 1991 to 290 this summer. Michael Schrum, HSBC C.F.O. opened the Clinic stating, “At HSBC, we recognise sport as a vital element in the all round development of Bermuda’s young people. We believe this clinic is so important because it provides players with more than just the opportunity to build on their soccer skills. It teaches them the importance of positive discipline and encourages them to become team players on the field, in the classroom and in our community.”
This year, HSBC Pro Soccer introduces a new programme which combines an educational, life skills component with the soccer training. Bridge to Success is the new programme open to male and female players 9 -16. The Bridge to Success programme gives players the tools to become the model player. In addition to providing players with the opportunity to build on their soccer skills, coaches will promote learning, positive discipline and becoming team players on and off the field.
Life skills sessions will be incorporated into the programme and topics will cover Game Awareness, Health & Fitness and Social Conduct. The Island’s youngest players have the opportunity to take part in Kiddy Kickers, a starter clinic that introduces young players aged 4 and 5 years old to the ‘FUN-damentals’ of soccer.
Kiddy Kickers promotes parental involvement and a parent or guardian must accompany each player for the entire daily one hour training session. Basic Group provides male and female players between the ages of 6-10 years with the opportunity to build on their soccer skills and learn the importance of positive discipline from qualified coaches and experienced players.
The School of Excellence coed programme will again be offered to the top 10 participants from the Bridge to Success week one programme. The School of Excellence runs from 11 July -15 July and involves classroom, instruction focused on academics, soccer training and work experience.
