Young men were treated to face painting, air-brushed tattoos and motivational speeches at a lunch "Fit for a Prince".

The event was thrown by the recently-formed Phenomenal Women Association, which was founded by HOTT 1075 DJ Miss Thang (aka Kristy Burgess) and ten professional females.

Fifty young boys, aged five to 12, attended "Fit for a Prince" at Hamilton Princess yesterday and listened to motivational speeches by Police Press officer Dwayne Caines, UBP Chairman Shawn Crockwell and vice president of the Bermuda Football Association Calvin Blackendale.

The boys were encouraged to stay in school to ensure a bright future. Five-year-old Ajani Pitcher said he was enjoying spending the afternoon with his dad and particularly liked the crown he was presented by Mr. Caines.

"The superman tattoo I got is also really cool," he said.

Ajani attends Northlands Primary School and said he enjoyed going to school. His father, Floyd Pitcher, said he thought it was important to spend quality time with his children and instill good manners and confidence in them. It was the second Phenomenal Women Association he attended, he brought his six-year-old daughter Auyana to the "Fit for a Princess" event several months ago.

"I think they are doing a great job," he said. "They are teaching important lessons, especially the etiquette aspect. So many children have bad manners these days. It can be hard to instill good manners, it's something you have to work on with you children everyday, but it is very important."

Mr. Caines told the boys it was important to respect their parents and get an education.

He added: "I think that this is a very good opportunity for mentorship. It is great that the Phenomenal Women Association have had the foresight to recognise our young men need a rights of passage programme with events like this and are encouraging these boys to be the best they can be."

Penny Ingham, the Phenomenal Women Association's public relations officer, said: "The turn out has been amazing. We have had wonderful speakers and the boys are enjoying themselves.

"We often hear so many negative things about fathers in our community. It is important to recognise that many men are involved in their children's lives and events like today prove that.–"We think it is important to nurture young men because they will grow up to be leaders and fathers who will shape our society.

"We targeted the five to 12-year olds because we believe that it is important time for family bonding and development. Sometimes when they are teenagers they have already switched off and are not interested."