Thomas-Bassett Continues To Shine In Goal

[Written by Stephen Wright]

Xavier Thomas-Bassett, the Bermuda Under-14 goalkeeper, is making a name for himself after a string of superb performances for club and country.

Thomas-Bassett was a standout performer for the national under-14 team at the recent Caribbean Football Union [CFU] Under-14 Challenge Series qualifiers in Trinidad and Tobago, keeping five clean sheets in as many games. He was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper.

Bermuda finished runners-up in the regional competition, losing 4-3 on penalties to Barbados in the final.

“It was a great experience, well-organised, competitive and fun environment,” Thomas-Bassett told Bernews. “Our team has chemistry and cohesion.”

The Warwick Academy student said he was proud of his displays in his first international competition representing his country.

“It’s brought me a lot of confidence and the tournament was a good benchmark to show me where I am compared to other players in the region,” he said.

The 13-year-old said he has honed his craft with the help of Dashun Cooper, an academy goalkeeper coach at Sky Bet Championship side Queens Park Rangers, and local coach Chelsea Harvey.

“My main assets are my reactions and distribution,” said Thomas-Bassett, whose favourite goalkeeper is Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen.

“There’s a lot of great goalkeeper coaches in Bermuda, which is probably why there are so many good goalkeepers on the island.

“I want to take my football career as far as possible and be the best goalkeeper I can be.”

The FC Bascome player has also excelled for his club and was named the most outstanding under-13 goalkeeper at the Appleby Youth League Awards, hosted by the Bermuda Football Association, last season.

“An important part of my football journey has been the people helping me and making sacrifices for me to get where I am,” he added.

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