Andrew Bascome’s ABC Football Foundation has announced a major investment in its Victor Scott Primary School programme through a significant cash contribution from Bermuda Security Group.

The ABC Football School has been handed $34,000 from BSG to improve the facility on Glebe Road as Bascome looks to replicate the successful programme he has at Saltus Grammar School.

Bascome, the Bermuda head coach, has been tutoring youngsters at Victor Scott for the past few years, initially on a voluntary basis, and believes that the programme will help “empower the school and community”.

The initiative will also feature an after-school classroom component provided by his brother David Bascome’s Power of One programme, which will focus on self-esteem, life skills as well as community and parental activities.

Bascome, who attended Victor Scott, said the funds from BSG would help improve the pitch, purchase new equipment and beef up security — including fencing and lighting — at the Pembroke East school.

“We want to replicate the programme we have at Saltus because we have seen the positives from it,” said Bascome, who holds coaching sessions at the school five days a week for children aged six to eight.

“If we can create that mindset in this primary school programme I think it can be hugely beneficial.

“I thank the Bermuda Security Group for supporting what we’re trying to do.

“I can tell you that this will be a success and I will put my all into it as usual.”

Stephen Coddington, the acting Victor Scott principal, said that he is excited about the impact the programme will have on the school and the local community.

“We’re going to have a top-notch playing surface for our young people as well as top-notch coaching from Andrew and David Bascome,” said Coddington, the former North Village president.

“They will help infuse what we’re trying to do academically and help this school and community go from strength to strength.”

Herman Tucker, the BSG chairman and president, said that he is happy to support a programme that gives back to the children and parents.

“Andrew is passionate about football, we all know that,” said Tucker, another former Victor Scott pupil when it was known as Central School. “What struck me is his genuine desire to give back to the community.

“His programme, along with the academics delivered by the school, will help generate self-awareness, teamwork, dedication and discipline all through sport, in this case football.

“When you combine that with the Power of One programme — delivered by his brother David — which promotes self-esteem and leadership qualities, and combine that with what the teachers and the principal are delivering in the classroom, we think you have a very powerful formula for the success of the children.”

The ABC Football Foundation has already held programmes at Elliot Primary, Harrington Sound Primary, Francis Patton, St David’s Primary and St George’s Prep, while the Power of One programme has been introduced at TN Tatem Middle School.