Bermuda Schools Sports Federation (BSSF) administrator Clint Smith has hit out at what he calls the utilisation of "education and discipline'' as selling points for summer sports camps.

Smith was reacting to a recent Royal Gazette story which highlighted a soccer clinic soon to be put on by Bermudian professionals Shawn Goater and David Bascome, which Bascome said would "emphasise discipline and give guidance'' to its young participants.

"When I hear of these camps saying they will be providing education and discipline my antennae instantly go up,'' said Smith. "What I want to know is, exactly what are they going to do to promote education via soccer? How are they going to incorporate the educational component.

"I have a serious problem with people using education as a drawing card to get over their point.

"If they can come up with something, then I tip my hat to them. But don't have children out there just watching Shawn Goater and David Bascome doing a few tricks and just learning how to trap a ball.'' Smith pointed out that neither Goater, Bascome nor Kyle Lightbourne -- another local professional mentioned as a potential instructor at the camp -- had anything more than basic high school educations.

He labelled the trio as "little more than part-time professionals'' and "not role models'' for the Island's youth.

"They have not reached anywhere near the top (of their chosen profession),'' charged Smith, who has been largely responsible for many youngsters garnering soccer scholarships through the annual Secondary Schools All-Star match.

"It (professional soccer) is not something that young boys should be singularly aiming for. A lot of them won't even get anywhere close.

"I would rather them be like a Devarr Boyles or Paul Cann, guys that used football to get an education...those are true role models.'' Both Boyles and Cann received degrees from Old Dominion University and currently play for Dandy Town.

Smith said he thought the camp idea was a good one and would help keep kids off the street, but the motives of organisers "sometimes needed to be questioned''.

Neither Bascome nor Goater could be reached for comment.

Clint Smith.