A $200,000 anti-gang initiative will target young men through soccer, in a bid to save them from a life of crime and violence.

The Government has teamed with Island Soccer League (ISL) commissioner David Bascome to launch the project, called Hope for Life.

According to Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing David Burch, it will target young men aged eight to 18, and focus on four areas:

• Providing accurate information about the dangers of drugs and violence

• Teaching young people good decision-making skills

• Showing them how to recognise and resist negative peer pressure

• Giving young people and their families positive alternatives to drug use and violence

Sen. Burch said yesterday: "The growing problem of drugs and violence has escalated to a level that has never been witnessed before. We hear cries from members of the public that something needs to be done - and needs to be done now."

Hope for Life, he explained, is viewed as the home grown solution that's needed. The project is the brainchild of Mr. Bascome, a professional footballer, motivational speaker and commissioner of the ISL, a six-a-side soccer league.

Mr. Bascome's aim for the ISL is to boost discipline and self-esteem among young people and to encourage them to become role models for other youths.

The Minister said: "Hope for Life is the expansion of this ideal in the ISL's mission, and through partnership with the ISL, will target males aged eight to 18 by giving them the support that they need to move forward in reaching their academic, career and athletic goals."

The programme will assist young people to develop skills on and off the soccer pitch and offer educational support and career awareness.

"Hope for Life saves lives by providing our young people with positive choices, providing them with information and the skills to lead a drug-free and violence-free life.

Teaching them how to recognise the subtle and overt pressures of those trying to get them to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs," Sen. Burch pledged.

His Ministry will co-ordinate and administer the initiative, with Mr. Bascome providing on-site leadership.

The plan is for a co-ordinated approach, using resources from organisations including the Bermuda Housing Corporation, the Police, the National Training Board and the Hustle Truck work scheme for the unemployed.

The Department of Public Transport will provide a Hope for Life bus that will transport the team into local neighbourhoods.

Mr. Bascome has spent the past 17 years playing in the United States, initially with the Harrisburg Heat and then with the Baltimore Blast.

He revealed that Hope for Life will be affiliated with the Baltimore Blast youth programme and other professional clubs - giving youngsters increased opportunities to forge soccer careers outside Bermuda.

He also spoke of his hope that it will link with local youth and community programmes.

"You don't want to miss the Hope for Life bus," he urged.