HSBC, BBFS Hold Football & Life Skills Program
HSBC Bermuda and Bermuda’s Brazilian Football School [BBFS] recently partnered with Dellwood Middle School, Northlands Primary School, and West Pembroke Primary School to provide the sixth annual Football and Life-Skills program, focusing on skill development, life skills, academics, and more.
The program was available for a maximum of 20 student athletes per school; BBFS also partnered with the Bermuda High School Soccer Club via three weekly training sessions in order to impart “coaching and positive life skills information to their Soccer Club members.”
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, via corporate and community partnerships.
“HSBC Bermuda provided BBFS with both program and financial support. Via this long-term partnership, we were able to introduce our 8th school into the program, the West Pembroke Primary School. The relationship between HSBC and BBFS has seen 500+ students receive the life skills training 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 saw each group meet weekly for a duration of 7 weeks and was based on accessing primary/middle school student’s aged 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 received 45 minutes of training, followed by 15 minutes of Life- Skills. The program was open to both male and female students and will conclude tomorrow, with the annual HSBC BBFS Life Skills Cup. The Life Skills Cup will be held at the Dellwood Middle School [gymnasium] and will see each school participate in a winner takes all final.
“The life-skills subjects presented focused on Anti Gang/Drugs messages, Anti bullying, Money Management, Human Rights, Safe usage of Social Networking, future career and further education interest. HSBC played a leading role in providing students with valuable insight on; saving for the future, investment opportunities and money management guidelines.
“The overall goal of BBFS and HSBC is to use football as a motivational tool, to promote personal and team development, teach life-skills and promote further education in a challenging and fun and drug free setting.
“BBFS wishes to thank HSBC Bermuda and all of our long-term partners for assisting with facilitating the life-skills programs. We have had much success and as we enter our 7th year, we look forward to continuing our partnership with our community and corporate partners.
“HSBC and BBFS believe that by offering training in a school setting, both the player, 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 athletes.”
