New Partnership To Bring NFL Players To Island
The Ministry of Community, Culture and Sports announced today [Apr 9] that it has developed a partnership with the Maryland-based Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, which will see NFL players visiting the island this July.
The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation raises awareness and funds for the prevention of child abuse through the Courage House National Network for Kids and its affiliation with the NFL.
In July of this year, Bermuda will host an Ed Block Courage Award Foundation Event which will feature several National Football League players, with those scheduled to attend Brian Cushing from the Houston Texans, Morgan Cox from the Baltimore Ravens and Tyrann Mathieu from the Arizona Cardinals.
Minister of Community, Culture and Sports Patricia Gordon-Pamplin acknowledged David Bascome, who she said played a key role in developing the partnership with the Ed Block Foundation.
Paul Mittermeier, Director of Communications, Ed Block Courage Award Foundation said, “The foundation is excited to bring our event/outreach program to the island of Bermuda. We have been successful at promoting our foundation through our relationship with the NFL. The annual gala that we do in Baltimore raises awareness and prevention of child abuse.
“However the most important part about what we do is how involved our players are in the community. We are very excited to bring our outreach blueprint here to the island of Bermuda. During the time the NFL players are here we will be visiting T.N. Tatem Middle School and the residential treatment system. This will be a day where NFL role models will be spending time with the young people here on the island.
“Some of our players have come from similar situations that the young people here on the island are facing. Players like Dwayne Allen from the Indianapolis Colts and Scott Wells from the St. Louis Rams have told me how excited they are about being able to make a difference in the lives of the kids here in Bermuda.
“Some of the other players who are scheduled to attend our event are Brian Cushing from the Houston Texans, Morgan Cox from the Baltimore Ravens, Tyrann Mathieu from the Arizona Cardinals and former Buffalo Bills dl Chris Kelsay.
“However, this event is not the only benefit that the island of Bermuda will receive from the partnership with the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation. This partnership is about sustainability.”
Minister Gordon Pamplin:
Minister of Community, Culture and Sports Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said, “It is my distinct pleasure, on behalf of the Government of Bermuda, to announce that the Ministry of Community, Culture and Sports has developed a partnership with the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation Inc., a non-profit corporation in the State of Maryland, U.S.A. which raises awareness and funds for the prevention of child abuse through the Courage House National Network for Kids and its affiliation with the National Football League.
“I wish first to acknowledge the presence of Bermuda’s own Mr. David Bascome, who has played a key role in developing the partnership with the Ed Block Foundation. Indeed, the initial overtures were made by David using his tremendous network of influential contacts, having lived in Baltimore for many years as a soccer player and more recently as Assistance Coach with the Baltimore Blast soccer team.
“It was David’s vision that we develop a sustainable relationship with the Ed Block Foundation to enhance our ability to leverage the benefit of Courage House affiliation in terms of outreach and treatment of some of our young people.
“Our interest in collaborating with the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation is two-fold. First, we see an alignment of objectives in terms of working to improve the lives of abused and at-risk children. In order to further this objective, we have agreed that the Residential Treatment Services within the Department of Child and Family Services will become the first international Courage House and benefit from networking within the Courage House National Network for Kids and also the fund-raising efforts of the Foundation itself.
John Cibula, Paul Mittermeier and David Bascome:
Minister Gordon Pamplin continued, “The Courage House Network currently includes 24 Courage Houses sponsored by National Football League teams located in 24 cities across the U.S.A. I understand that it is the Foundation’s goal to establish a Courage House in each of the 32 cities with NFL teams.
“I will leave it to Mr. John Cibula, President of the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, who is here with us today, to expand on the work of the Foundation and the establishment of Courage Houses. However, let me say the Government is excited and honoured to partner with the Foundation and establish RTS as the first international Courage House.
“The second reason for partnering with the Foundation is because they are intricately involved with sports through their affiliation with the National Football League.
“Part of our Ministry’s mandate is to develop sports, and the promotion of sports tourism is consistent with our National Sports Policy released last year. In this regard, we will explore opportunities for sports tourism, but we will also seek ways to collaborate and build on how we are using sports in Bermuda to enhance character in our youth.
“In support of both of these objectives, I am pleased to announce that Bermuda will host an Ed Block Courage Award Foundation Event in Bermuda in July 2015.
“The Event will feature several National Football League players who have been awarded the prestigious Ed Block Courage Award, and will be used to provide an opportunity for NFL players to engage in outreach with RTS residents as well as schoolchildren more generally.
“In addition to the outreach I have just mentioned, the Event, which will take place from July 12-14, 2015, will feature a VIP Reception, a Golf Tournament, and a Cruise to raise funds for RTS through the sale of sponsorship packages, which will shortly be available for purchase by corporations and other interested parties,” the Minister concluded.
Read More About
Category: All, News, Politics, Sports
what this is dumb.. bermudians aren’t major NFL fans. how about real football players… C’mon Pamplin-Gordon
This is a positive effort and yes Bermudians do follow the NFL.
Well some do, but not many. And no one plays it. What are we rearing coach potatoes?
Just feel the govt could have spent time and money working in sports that lots of people care about….football, cricket, sailing, etc.
The odd half full bar on a Sunday evening does not count in my book. Compare it to Man Utd v
Liverpool on a Sunday lunchtime.
Cricket???? The sad truth is that if it wasn’t for Cupmatch 95% of Bermudians would never even attend a live cricket game in their lifetime. Even sadder is that if you remove Crown and Anchor from Cupmatch 30%- 40% probably wouldn’t probably go at all.
Most (not all obviously) of the people that go to Cricket, go to watch Family or Friends play, not because they love the game. Watching Cricket is like watching paint dry. Fortunately, the alcohol and herb helps many get thru it.
I completely agree, there isn’t 1 American Football field on the island, how many real football fields, games, teams? Dozens. I’d like to see the government aiming for premiership or championship sides playing pre season games, perhaps on their way to the US.
We saw in the sold out Bahamas game 2 weeks ago how passionate the island is.
ROMEO…if you don’t see why David Bascome initiated this and if you can’t see the big picture, you never will! Did you even take a second to read more than the headline.
By the way, I think you are very wrong about the NFLs popularity here. Ever been to a bar during NFL Sunday or Monday night games? Ever been to Seahorses and Gametime to see how many people bet on the NFL? Ever been to a Superbowl Party? I question if you even live here or if you ever come out of your house?
The Courage House Network currently includes 24 Courage Houses sponsored by National Football League teams located in 24 cities across the U.S.A.
I want to thank the following people for bringing the Courage House Network to Bermuda. Mr.John Cibula, Paul Mittermeier and David Bascome along with the current Minister Pam. Gordon Pamplin and former Minister Wayne Scott as well as all of them not mentioned for doing whatever they’d done, so that it has now come to fruition here in Bermuda.
By the way, I don’t believe this is costing our Government or any Bermudian people that don’t wish to contribute anything…It’s a new initiative and should be acknowledge / accepted as being a “plus”…”Some just can’t see the trees for the forest”
Oh for the love of JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess no one in the negative comments above understand the concept that these are role models for our young people to look up to . . . regardless of the sport!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not to mention the funds being poured into RTS which services at risk youth. READ PEOPLE READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NFL players are such great role models….
Thank you sick and tired, finally someone read the whole F’n story and not just the Headline!
Read people! open your eyes and try and see the big picture. These men are mentors and successful role models and many young kids will relate and listen to them before they listen to a teacher, a preacher, a politician, a motivational speaker, the police, mom , dad and so on.
I almost forgot to say, Thank you Mr. Bascome for giving back!. Sorry that a few people in this country that post on Bernews can’t see past their own narrow minded and selfish , whats in it for me worlds!
Most of us get it, and appreciate your efforts. Thank you Mr. Bsscome, NFL Players, Sponsors and Organizers! Welcome to Bermuda! PLease don’t read the above messages and assume that we are all selfish idiots! One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch. I hope!