ERROR RG P4 4.12.1992 Wednesday's Community feature on the Paget Youth Group did not mention where its leader, Mr. Gerald Fubler, can be contacted with offers of assistance. Mr.

Fubler works at the Paget Primary School (telephone 236-7412).

With a "family'' of 33 boys, it's hardly surprising that Gerald Fubler has no time for himself. But he likes it that way, and wouldn't change it if he could.

"In fact, I probably need them as much as they need me,'' he says. Childless himself, one reason Mr. Fubler started his "family'' was because he grew tired of picking up the paper every day and reading about youths in trouble with the law.

"I decided to try and do something positive to change things,'' is how he explains the formation of the Paget Youth Group.

But the real impetus came from four boys who, knowing the former cricketer was a member of the Bermuda Umpires Association, approached him in March, 1991 and asked if he would put a team together. In particular, a remark made by one of them hit home.

"He said, `If nobody does anything for the youth of Ord Road, there's nothing for them to do but hang out', so I decided to take the initiative and form a cricket team for boys up to age 14. We called it the Paget Youth Cricket Team,'' their leader related.

Mr. Fubler also knew that the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control was aiming at forming a parish youth league, and that would be a further incentive for the youngsters.

When the plan fell through, however, he knew he would have to expand the group's activities beyond cricket in order keep it together. As a result, everything from camping to swimming, picnics, fishing from rented boats, pedal bike expeditions and dances have been devised to provide a positive outlet for the growing membership, which presently stands at 33.

"I started out with boys from Paget and Warwick and now they come from as far afield as Southampton,'' he says proudly.

There has also been a name change for the cricket team. It is now known as the Paget-Warwick team, and is affiliated with the Warwick Workmen's Club -- a necessary requirement in order to participate in youth league competitions.

"Warwick couldn't form their own team, and we had to be associated with a licenced club, so that's how the name came about,'' Mr. Fubler explained.

The football team, which plays in the Minors League, is called the Paget Football Club.

Just how much of his life Mr. Fubler devotes to providing a positive role model for his charges, who range from eight to 14 years of age, may be gauged by the schedule he lays down.

The meeting place -- an out building on the grounds of Paget Primary School kindly loaned to him by Government -- is open weekdays from "after the kids complete their homework and chore assignments at home'' until 8.30 p.m. On weekends the time is extended to 11 p.m., and the day begins much earlier.

The boys -- all of whom come from single parent homes, some of them troubled -- relate to Mr. Fubler so well that they also regard his home as their home, and it is not uncommon for as many as eight to sleep over at weekends. If they do, he serves them pancakes and cereal in the morning.

A former Bermuda Regiment colour sergeant who only gave up his military post last year to devote more time to the boys, Mr. Fubler knows a thing or two about order and discipline, and doesn't hesitate to use either when dealing with his group. But he never oversteps the role of the parents.

"In fact, I deal specifically with the parents,'' he assured. "For example, every time they arrive at the club room I ask them: `Does your mother know where you are?' If I have any doubts about the answer, I phone the mother up straight away. I make sure the mothers know where their sons are at all times when they're with me. That way they don't have to worry.'' Discipline is enforced in a kind but firm way -- not only by Mr. Fubler but by a discipline committee comprised of the members themselves.

"Everybody in the club has a responsibility,'' Mr. Fubler explained. "If a boy does something wrong, the committee decides what punishment, if any, will be administered. I supervise to make sure the decision is fair.'' In fact, Mr. Fubler says the boys actually run the club themselves under his guidance and supervision. It is one way of teaching them responsibility.

Other avenues teach different skills. Dances, for example, are a popular recreation, and the entertainment committee is responsible for organising them. Often this brings out hidden talents -- as when one boy, told to create an advertising poster, revealed impressive artistic ability.

And because Mr. Fubler is strict about "doing things properly,'' he phones all the neighbours ahead of time to tell them when a dance is taking place at the club house, and also ensures that no-one over 16 is admitted. There is no alcohol and there is a time limit.

"My main thing is to keep the boys together and keep them away from the outdoor sessions where older people hang out, because they pick up older ideas which are not always good,'' he explained.

Admitting that when he first formed the club the young members were not the easiest to deal with, Mr. Fubler says that today things are quite different.

"I have had them for 18 months and there has been a great change in attitude,'' he stated. "Some parents have noticed the changes in their sons.

Some boys have spent every day of the past 18 months around me, after school or at my house. In fact, they all call me Daddy.'' Just how devoted these youngsters are to their mentor is best illustrated by what happened when he suffered a heart attack earlier this year.

"They took me to hospital and refused to leave when I was admitted. They stayed with me the entire night. That is what is so encouraging to me. It shows there is a lot of good in these kids, they just need someone to guide them.'' And the parents also care too. During the time Mr. Fubler was sidelined, a mother took control of the cricket training sessions.

Articles which can impact on the boys' lives are put up in the club house for all to read. "I say to them: `See what they're saying about you? See what is happening?' They take it to heart,'' the leader noted.

The line of communication is so open that he says boys who have done something wrong will voluntarily come to him to talk about it "man to man''. Unless the matter is serious, in which case Mr. Fubler doesn't hesitate to tell the parent, the chat remains a private matter between the two.

Such is the dedication of Mr. Fubler that until now he has funded most of the activities and necessary items out of his own pocket. And while he considers it money well spent, donations -- either cash or something for the club -- would always be welcome.

"We would like anything that helps identify the club -- hats, or a uniform, for example -- and we would also welcome sports equipment, board games such as chess or chequers, and even trophies.'' With the club's steady progress, the boys are now looking to wider horizons.

Specifically, they want to travel and, true to form, Mr. Fubler has has told them there is only one way to succeed.

"I want them to understand that whatever they want in life they must work for,'' he said.

So fund-raising has become a priority. Securing the necessary licence now allows them to hold bake sales and sell sodas and peanuts. The boys will also undertake odd jobs like lawn-mowing. Pot luck suppers are also planned.

Once told by then-Minister of Youth, Sport and Recreation, the Hon Harry Soares that if he could reach just one boy he would have accomplished a lot, Mr. Fubler says of his mission: "The key to success is not doing everything the way I want it done, but the way the boys like it.'' Within reason, of course.

A FORCE FOR GOOD -- Boys from many parishes flock to the Paget Youth Group founded by Mr. Gerald Fubler (centre), where many activities, including football and cricket, help the boys to develop positive attitudes towards life.