North Village football club yesterday said it had zero tolerance for abuse of children.

And president Shervin Dill warned predators: “Stay away from our field.”

Mr Dill spoke out after top football coach Andrew Bascome said that, as a child footballer at the club, he had been sexually abused for years by an older player. But Mr Dill told potential abusers: “We are now far better prepared, thanks in part to our partnership with Saving Children and Revealing Secrets, to identify suspicious individuals and behaviours and you will never be welcomed at our club.”

Mr Dill said: “North Village Community Club also stand behind Scars in calling upon the Government to take the lead in ensuring the safety and security of our vulnerable and also of implementing stringent, robust procedures in dealing with what is a very sensitive but important issue, as highlighted by Scars chairman Jon Brunson in recent weeks.”

And he vowed: “Through solid awareness and Scars education, we believe that our children will be better served in a safe and productive environment.

“We are committed to this and believe that our programmes continue to serve the Bermuda community to the best of our ability. We will never take the safety and security of our children for granted and will do everything in our power to ensure their care and nurture.”

Mr Dill said that the club had already contacted Mr Bascome, the national coach, and brother David, who also revealed he had been a victim of abuse, to offer its support — and praised them for their heroism in breaking decades of silence about their torment.

He added: “We are extremely proud of both these men for what they have accomplished on and off the field, but particularly for having the immense courage and bravery to publicly announce the horrific events of their past.

“This was not an easy task for anyone and we at North Village Community Club stand beside Andrew and David as they continue their healing process after more than 30 years of silence.”

A statement by the club said: “We are here to continue to support both Andrew and David in any way that we possibly can.

“As president, Shervin Dill reached out to both Andrew and David last night to convey our support and prayers in the healing process for both and to let them know that we stand strong and firm beside them moving forward.

“Both Andrew and David expressed gratitude to the club for not only being there in a time of need, but also in being there for them on their life journey and helping shape them into the fine gentlemen they are today.”

The statement added that club board members, administrators and coaching staff were trained in child protection — with a 2012 mandate that all coaches and board members were Scars trained and certified in sex abuse prevention.

The statement added: “In doing so, North Village Community Club became the first sporting organisation to make it mandatory for its coaches and board of directors to be certified in such a manner on such an emotive, sensitive issue.”

And, the club said that Scars recertification, to include team administrators and additional volunteers, would be carried out in the first quarter of next year.