New York Giants All-Pro linebacker Antonio Pierce is to host a free football camp for the Island's aspiring young players at Berkeley Institute later this month.

The Super Bowl winner will be joined by New York Giants' team-mates Mathias Kiwanuka, Osi Umenyiora, Gibril Wilson and Jesse Armstead in what they hope will be a positive and fun-filled introduction to the sport.

In what Pierce hopes will be the first of many such camps, children aged from seven to 14 will be put through their paces by some of the best players in the NFL today.

"My goal for this camp is to teach basic football skills, but most importantly is to promote self esteem through positive experiences like this camp," said Pierce.

" I feel opportunities such as this can offer kids a chance to hear directly from their NFL heroes that they can achieve their dreams through hard work and determination.

"I want them to know that they can become anything, a doctor, lawyer, professional football player or even president."

The camp is part of Pierce's scholarship programme which he hopes to use to enable Bermuda's most talented youngsters to pursue their dreams.

In a recent visit to CedarBridge Academy and the Berkeley Institute, many of the students expressed their desire to study abroad.

It was those visits that inspired Pierce to develop the programme.

Admission to the camp, which runs from 10 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, is free, but will only be open to the first 150 children who register. Registration begins at 8.30 a.m. on the morning of the camp, and children who attend will need trainers shorts/sweats and a T-shirt.

As well as running the camp, Pierce and his team-mates will take part in an evening fundraiser at the Fairmont Southampton, as they 'Party with a Purpose'.

According to a press release issued by Pierce "an evening of great food, signature cocktails, entertainment, live auction and mingling with celebrities will be used to help provide college scholarships to deserving Bermudian students wishing to pursue their dreams of higher education."

More event information can be obtained by e-mailing info@CorporateConcierge.bm.

Individual ticket sales are available by calling Corporate Concierge on 333-2476.