Bermuda's Brazilian Football School are hailing their fifth Anniversary Easter Camp held last week at the Goose Gosling Field a huge success, with 102 players and 15 coaches participating in the five-day grassroots programme.

BBFS partnered with The Argus Group of Companies and Partner Re Bermuda, to offer both male and female players aged 6-15, the opportunity to train, play football and fellowship with their peers, in a safe and fun environment.

The camp resulted in nine BBFS youth trainee coaches (six male and three female who are graduates of the BBFS weekly Centre of Excellence training programme) gain invaluable skills in time management, team management, youth coaching, administrative duties and leadership (supervisory skills) during the camp.

“The BBFS Easter camp surpassed all of our expectations,” said Cal Blankendal, CEO of Bermuda’s Brazilian Football School. “BBFS did not intend to host a camp during the Easter break but due to the multiple request from many parents/players, we worked hard to set up a first class camp, with only three weeks of registration and preparations.

“We were pleasantly surprised to see the numbers exceed 100 once again and to receive the support of Argus and Partner Re.

BBFS wishes to thank the Argus Group of Companies and Partner Re (Bermuda) for their support of the Easter Camp. We also wish to acknowledge; John Barritt & Son, The Bermuda Athletic Association, parents, guardians and the Easter Camp attendees. BBFS values all of our corporate/social partners and we look forward to more exciting programmes for the remainder of the year.”

According to Blankendal the highlight of the camp was having 35 female players, including more than 30 who joined through the Bermuda High School for Girls.

“After our successful International Girls Festival, we are pleased to see that the next group of female players aged 10-14, will be ready to join the BFA National Academy in the next one to two years,” said Blankendal.

“We believe that the players and their parents or guardians enjoyed the camp as we have received e-mails and telephone requests to host future camps and offer more weekly training sessions. The success of our president Dennis Brown having just won the FA Cup and Triple Crown with Devonshire Cougars has also attracted the interest of the male players aged 11 and over. They are eager to join BBFS and to receive the much anticipated firsthand training offered by Dennis and his assistant, Jermaine (Speedy) Smith.”