BBFS Hosts 5th Football Life Skills Program
Bermuda’s Brazilian Football School [BBFS] is currently hosting its fifth annual Football Life Skills program, with each participating group meeting once per week from November 10 to December 12, 2014 throughout the five week program, which was shortened due to Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Gonzalo.
A spokesperson said, “The core of BBFS’ work focuses on the training and individual development of youth players within an inclusive team context that also promotes integration, diversity and a strong sense of personal responsibility. This fills a major gap and also provides an important complementary offering to many of the competitive football leagues in Bermuda.
“While BBFS is not a typical educational organization, it is vital to the mission of fostering our youth in non-drug influenced circles and our success to date is a measure of our individual commitment.
“HSBC Bermuda and Bermuda’s Brazilian Football School will partner with the Whitney Institute, Dellwood, Clearwater, Bermuda High School for Girls [BHS] Middle Schools and Northlands Primary School to provide the Annual Football and Life-Skills based program for 16 youth football players per school.
“BBFS is pleased to welcome BHS, Clearwater and Northlands into the program and wishes to express our sincerest appreciation to HSBC Bermuda for their continued support.
“HSBC Bermuda has provided BBFS with both program and financial support during the past 4 years. As we enter the 5th year of the program and introduce our 7th school, we continue to recognize the strength of our public/private partnership.
“The relation between HSBC Bermuda and BBFS has seen 400 students receive the life skills training and is based on one common objective, to provide our youth with both academic and athletic skills sets that will aid them in their future career and life long decisions.
“The inclusion of life skills has enhanced the program and offers solutions and information on the daily issues they confront as young preteens.
“The program will see each group meet once a week from November 10th to December 12th 2014 [5 week program reduced due to Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Gonzalo] and is based on accessing middle school student’s ages 10-14.
“BBFS recognizes that Primary School [P6] and Middle School students are at a key stage in their lives and it is important that we reinforce positive lifestyles and healthy decisions in a safe but fun environment.
“Each week, the students will receive 45-50 minutes of training, followed by 10-15 minutes of Life Skills. The program is open to both male and female students and will conclude with the 5 schools participating in a mini football festival/tournament.
“The life-Skills subjects to be delivered will focus on; Anti-Gang/Drugs messages, Anti bullying, Money Management, SAT awareness, Safe usage of Social Networking, future career and further education interest. HSBC Bermuda will play a leading role in providing students with valuable insight on; saving for the future, investment opportunities and money management guidelines.
“Each participant will have to attend each session on time and in the appropriate uniform, with a 250 word essay to be written at the end of the program. The overall goal of BBFS is to use football as a motivational tool, to promote personal and team development, teach life-skills and promote further education in a challenging, fun and drug free setting.
“The football training will be offered by BBFS and we will partner with our stakeholders to facilitate the life-skills programs based on the subject matter.
“We have had much success with partnering with the Bermuda Football Association, Family Centre, PRIDE, CADA, Bermuda Police Service and the Human Rights Commission during the past 4 years. As we enter our 5th year, we look forward to continuing our partnership with our community and corporate partners.
“HSBC Bermuda and BBFS believe that by offering training in a school setting, both the players, coaches and teachers will be able to collaborate on achieving the common goal of providing a first class education and positive role models to the youth students.”
