FC Bascome Preparing For USL Academy Cup
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Andrew Bascome, the Bascome Football School head coach, and his coaching team are putting their players through the paces as they build towards the USL Academy Cup in Tampa, Florida.
A travelling party of 78, including coaches, goalkeeper coach, strength, and conditioning coach, team managers, and chaperones from the boys’ under-13, under-15, and under-19 teams, leave the island on March 12 on BermudaAir for the weeklong tournament.
The majority of the players are from FC Bascome, with two under-19 players from Warwick Football Academy-Robin Hood joining the group.
FC Bascome debuted at the annual tournament last year, with the under-15 team reaching the final of their competition.
“We have adjusted our curriculum and training schedules to include areas of deficiencies identified during last year’s tournament,” Bascome told Bernews.
“We have increased the number of training sessions, with our under-13/15/17 teams practicing four times a week. We have also emphasised technical skills, positional understanding and formations, strength and conditioning, and recently mental preparation and training.
“The players have responded very well to the adjustments, and we can see that their hard work is paying off.
“The USL Academy Cup is not just a well-run and competitive tournament, 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 surrounded by clubs, players, and the USL organisers 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.”
More than $30,000 was raised at various events by the players and parents to send the three teams to Tampa, with a further $35,000 generated in corporate funds from companies such as 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,” Bascome, the former Bermuda national team coach, said.
“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 the football school to offer an extensive bursary programme for more than ten players and reduce the travel costs for all other participants.
“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,” Bascome said.
“On top of that, Bermuda is a high-cost environment, so every effort to make our programme 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.
Bascome added: “A final thank you goes out to BermudaAir for taking on the assignment to carry the whole troop, something no other carrier could do.
“It makes us feel like a big club traveling when we, in essence, will have our own private jet!”
