By Jonathan Kent David Bascome will stay at Harrisburg Heat next season, despite a summer clear-out happening all around him in the wake of a disappointing season.

The 30-year-old midfielder met over the weekend with Rob Rumberger, the owner of the indoor National Professional Soccer League club, and was assured that his future with Heat was safe.

According to Bascome, his team-mate with club and country Meshach Wade, is also likely to be asked back by Heat next season, after joining the club on a developmental contract last year.

And Bermudian links with Harrisburg could grow stronger in future years if Bascome gets his way. The player has set up a soccer school to train youngsters, which has been up and running for 18 months, and he aims to get Island coaches involved.

Harrisburg failed to reach the NPSL play-offs for the first time in five years last season and finished bottom of the three-team East Division with a record of 16 wins and 28 defeats.

But Bascome maintained high standards in a league where goals are categorised into one-, two- and three-pointers and his season's haul of 43 goals and 104 points made him 20th top scorer in the league.

"Last season was disappointing and I think there will be a lot of changes this year,'' said Bascome.

"I've heard that six or eight players are likely to go and even the coach's job is in jeopardy. Right now, there is a big shake-up going on.

"But I had a meeting with the owner on Saturday and he told me I was safe.

They want to build the team around me and Gino DiFlorio.

"Last year, we had a lot of younger players coming in, but they didn't seem to have the drive and passion you need in this game. Without that, it becomes like a business.

"I've got a year to run on my contract and I'm very happy in Harrisburg. My goal is to win the league championship before I retire, but I hope I can keep playing for another four or five years yet.'' Bascome has played eight seasons in the NPSL since joining Harrisburg in 1991.

Apart from a spell with Denver in 1992-93, he has been with the Pennsylvania club ever since and has played 210 games for them.

Wade, 27, who also had professional experience with Hereford United in England, signed up as a defender for Heat last October and played 34 games, and Bascome felt he had a future with the club.

"He did well for us and I think he should be playing for us next season,'' said Bascome. "He's back in Bermuda at the moment and he's going to come back up to Heat. Really, it's up to him now.'' Two new teams will be joining the NPSL next season, Toronto and Greensboro, and more games are likely to be televised in the US, thanks to a deal with Fox World Sports.

Bascome intends to stay in Harrisburg after his playing career ends and with that in mind he set up the Bascome Professional Soccer School.

"It's something I always wanted to do,'' said Bascome. "We have close to 200 kids and the majority of them have talent. Ever since I signed for Heat, I wanted to get involved in coaching.

"I'd like to get some coaches from home involved, if we can get them work permits. Herbie Bascome, Gary Dill and Scott Morton have already been over here to help out.'' He has plans to extend his soccer school to the likes of Philadelphia and Baltimore to capitalise on the boom in youth soccer in the US. And he feels Bermuda can learn a lot from what is happening in sport in the States.

"Youth sports here are so well organised,'' said Bascome. "Everything is well structured and good programmes are in place and that is what Bermuda needs.

"Some clubs are doing a good job, like North Village where Kenny Thompson is doing well. But it would be good if coaches from Bermuda could come here and take home what they learn from the experience.'' Bascome will return to Bermuda next week and will run a soccer clinic with fellow pro Shaun Goater, of Manchester City, between July 3 and 7 at the National Stadium.

David Bascome: Hoping to get Bermuda coaches involved in a soccer school he has set up in Harrisburg.