Bermuda’s middle school students met and interacted with top National Football League players on Monday as part of the Power of One Youth Rally.

The event aimed to help the young people achieve their goals, with the sports stars providing motivation and messages of encouragement.

The rally, at T.N. Tatem Middle School, was jointly organised by the Mirrors Programme, the Power of One initiative and the Ed Block Foundation.

Kim Jackson, Mirrors programme co-ordinator, hoped the students would learn from the players what it took for them to fulfil their ambitions.

She also praised Bermudian former soccer professional David Bascome for helping to bring about the event.

“David Bascome is the glue to all of this,” she said. “He brought Power of One to T.N. Tatem Middle School three years ago. They are here developing leadership and getting the young people to see that they matter and to build their self-esteem.

“The Mirrors programme does the same thing for young people from 15 to 18, so now we are bringing the two together and building on our strengths.

“This Power of One rally is a process of bringing those two organisations together.”

Ms Jackson said Mirrors planned to support Mr Bascome and Power of One by spreading the programme to other schools.

Monday’s event was opened by Michael Dunkley.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome some wonderful individuals to our island — NFL players and their family and friends,” the Premier said. “Thank you for your support of our young people.

“The Power of One Youth Rally has targeted middle schoolers aged ten to 14 years old, to enjoy what will be a fun-filled, energising and empowering day with our celebrity guests. They will also be joined by local athletes and community advocates.”

Mr Dunkley told the students how important they were to Bermuda’s future.

“Today you have an opportunity to live and learn,” he said. “Our future depends on you, it clearly lies in your hands. So enjoy today, but take this unique opportunity to learn from the NFL stars, to learn from the community leaders and local athletes because they have a valuable message.

“They are role models, they have experience and they can help you put yourself in a good position as you move forward.”

Thanking Mr Bascome, the Premier added: “Thank you for your incredible advocacy for our young people and this Power of One programme. From the time I met you years ago I have been struck by your passion and your commitment to helping the community, so thank you for your sacrifice and for working with our young people.”

A former member of Power of One, Christian Liyanage, said: “I took part in the programme with Mr Bascome. [It] taught me to become a leader, it helped me with my communication skills and to grow more. It taught me how to become a better person inside and outside of school and to carry that on through life.”

Joique Bell, running back for the Detroit Lions, said: “It is great what the Ed Block Foundation has been doing and that it has been able to reach all the way out here to Bermuda. It should be all over the nation, but this is a good starting point and hopefully we can keep it going.

“I got invited by the Ed Block Courage Foundation. I won the award for the Detroit Lions for comeback player of the year for my team, my team voted me in, and I went down for a banquet this past March, and they gave me the opportunity to come down here. I told them of course I would love to come.”