Brothers Andrew and David Bascome are giving back to their former primary school with positive mentoring of the students at Victor Scott.

It does not necessarily matter to the pupils there that the pair were two of Bermuda’s leading midfielders in their era, they are just happy to have someone take interest in them.

Andrew has been running his ABC Football School in a couple of schools, including Saltus Grammar, while David, a former indoor professional for Baltimore Blast where he is now the assistant coach, has introduced his Power of One leadership development programme into two local schools, TN Tatem and Victor Scott.

It is a four-part framework: self-esteem, empowerment, tools and engagement, with the school serving as the core.

The students at Victor Scott, a school of almost 200 primary and preschool students, are taking to the programme.

“It’s more than just football, it’s about what’s next for them,” said David, who returns to Bermuda once a month to monitor the programme at the two schools.

Victor Scott has a special connection to the brothers. Andrew was a student there when it was Central School, while David started there the year it became Victor Scott.

“It makes sense to bring it all together, so I deal with the leadership piece, the young people, the teachers and the whole community,” David said. “I used to work for the Centre of College and Career Readiness and was vice-president of their community leadership. Once I got in I realised a lot of little people were failing so there was a drop off. Through my life and career I realised I could build something that made sense and with Power of One I started building the four levels for leaderships ... knowing who you are and self-esteem, and then empowerment and tools for success.”

Last week, when David visited, some of the students were writing positive messages on the “I Am” wall at the school, giving them a sense of empowerment.

“The school is the centre of our community, not football clubs,” he said. “It’s the place where we get educated.

Bermuda Security Group joined with Andrew Bascome’s ABC Football Foundation Power to put on the Power of One Spirit Day at Victor Scott last Friday.

While David Bascome was in the assembly hall speaking with students, Andrew Bascome was on the field with other coaches from ABC, Leroy Wilson, Dashun Cooper and Aaron Lugo, working with another group of students.

“When Andrew came in with BSG and the groups, and had me come in, I was excited because I knew the pieces I would be able to support with,” David said. “I know people look at me as a footballer and expect me to be on the field, but I enjoy that with my professional team.

“This is my former school and I remember walking off the hill from Marsh Folly, following my brothers when it was called Central School. I was in school at Bishop Spencer and when I came down here the same year they left, they changed it to Victor Scott.”

Andrew Bascome has made coaching his life’s work after his playing career ended prematurely because of an injury. Bermuda Security Group came on board with the Football Matters programme led by PE teacher Nuri Lathan and in February committed $34,000 to bring to life Bascome’s vision for Victor Scott.

The BSG sponsorship contributes to equipment, facilities, coaching and the integration of the Power of One classroom compound.

Herman Tucker, a former student of the Central School, made a public call for Central School alumni to come together to enhance the school’s physical infrastructure and security. A number of anonymous donors, including former students, heeded the call and the school field has been resurfaced and upgraded, and now accommodates Bermuda Football Association-sanctioned youth matches on weekends.

The school property has undergone a fencing project which was set to be completed on Friday.

“I want to create a sense of safety for the children here, because the first thing a parent looks at is the environment,” Andrew said. “Government may not have the money but money can’t be an excuse. We need a vision, passion and hard working people who will do the work regardless. When I reflect back on where it all began, Central School stuck out because it was a good time in my life.

“Something sparked in my last year when I started playing for the football team. It started to give me an identity and I felt a sense of purpose. I got around good influences, my grades came together and I got into Berkeley Institute.

“I decided why not use what happened to me to implement it with the kids, to build their self-esteem, to make them feel good about coming to school.”

Andrew spends three or four days at the school, helping out and giving back to the school that taught him.

“I just like to be here, it’s a good space for me,” said the father of four, who spent time with his siblings living at the Sunshine League children’s home. “I watched a child come off the hill from Middletown and she comes to me and said, ‘Coach Bascome, have a nice day’. I had tears in my eyes, but I couldn’t let her see me cry.

“I just want to see kids grow with a healthy mind and with a competitive spirit. The way to compete is being the best that you can be. Wisdom comes with experience and we have the experience, but are we going to make the sacrifices to be here?

He added: “David and I have similar ideas, but I find my empowerment through the sport itself. Then David is able to find words to use that empower you. Words should always be positive with children, more encouragement than discouragement.

“Ms Martha Francis was my favourite teacher and I will never forget the lady. I use to bring her a newspaper every day just so that I could get a hug from her. She showed me love and attention.”

Stephen Coddington, acting principal at the school, says the school has benefited from having the Bascomes give back.

“About two or three years ago ABC Football School offered to come in and help out with schools’ football programmes,” he said.

“We were one of the schools who took advantage of his expertise and enthusiasm. At the end of last year he asked if he could work specifically with Victor Scott, because he went to Central School and wanted to give back.

“We are in a vulnerable community and he has shown willingness to work with these young people. There are two days in the week that he’s not scheduled but he still comes by, he’s been helping with things like repairing the roundabouts in the driveway which were a little broken up.

“It’s very powerful for these young people who can say, ‘These people care about me’. His wife [Selina] has been helping our girls with netball. And then what David is doing with character building, the impact is not only on this school but this community.”