Soon, Bermuda's young people will have the opportunity to be mentored by a sports legend, says Senator David Burch.

He announced yesterday that the Hope 4 Life programme run by the Bermuda soccer league has formed an alliance with United States-based Sports Inside and Out, which has relationships with over 200 professional athletes.

Both programmes share the goal of helping young people advance themselves and their community through sport.

"Our programme provides young people with positive choices," said Sen Burch. "Locally, over 1,000 young people have joined."

Sports Inside and Out founder and former NBA basketball coach Chuck Hatcher attended the press conference to announce the alliance, as well as accept Bermudian soccer star David Bascome into the organisation as a sports legend.

"What Dave is doing here is exactly what we're doing overseas," said Mr. Hatcher. "He's a legend, a champion. He's a guy they can look up to. He's impressed me with what he's done with kids."

Mr. Bascome will be the first soccer player introduced to the American programme.

"I was invited to Atlanta with a charity programme and I got into a conversation with Sam Jones and Coach Hatcher," said Mr. Bascome. "It felt like they were taking me in as a part of the family. I had no idea they had a plan for me."

According to Mr. Hatcher, celebrity involvement in such programmes can bring about a quicker change, and make a bigger impact on the youth.

"They love it. In very few programmes can a kid be mentored by the greatest sports stars in history," said Mr. Hatcher. "We can open the eyes of the public very quickly. It's subliminal seduction."

Mr. Hatcher was alongside former heavyweight champion of the world James "Bonecrusher" Smith and former NBA player Wali Jones at the press conference, who are also part of the programme.

"What we do in the United States is encourage kids to be good people," said Mr. Smith. "We're looking forward to doing it here."

"We're losing the kids," said Mr. Jones. "Everywhere we go, they want us to address the issues of violence, drugs, dropping out of school. These are the problems everywhere."

With the alliance between Hope 4 Life and Sports Inside and Out, both organisations hope to make steps forward.

"I'm excited. Now we've gone international. The boat is getting bigger, especially with Bonecrusher," Mr. Bascome joked.