12/12/2008 11:15:00 AM The BFA apologizes to Bascome FC for scheduling snafu
* Bermuda Sun file photo. Never again: Thanks to Andrew Bascome complaining that the BFA should have postponed the Under-18 matches the day after the School Knock Out Cup Finals, BFA president Richard Calderon said it won’t happen next year because it’s detrimental to our youth players.
The Bermuda Football Association has moved to mend fences with national coach contender Andrew Bascome issuing a public apology over the scheduling mix-up which left the veteran coach fuming this week.
BFA president Richard Calderon said the decision not to postpone the Under-18 league fixtures to accommodate Saturday night's schools finals had been an 'oversight' on behalf of the association.
Andrew Bascome had been particularly upset at the decision because six of his Under-18 squad had been involved in the Schools finals. He said they were unable to prepare properly for their Sunday lunchtime clash with Somerset.
He told the Bermuda Sun on Wednesday that he felt the decision not to postpone the game, despite his advance request, was personal and had resulted in his squad losing their unbeaten record.
A statement from the Association yesterday accepted that an error had been made and apologized to all the teams affected - particularly Bascome FC.
The statement, signed by President Richard Calderon, read: "The Bermuda Football Association wishes to apologize to the players, coaches, team administrators and clubs for its oversight with regards to the scheduling conflict involving the U18 League matches that were played on Sunday, December 7 and the Bermuda School Sports Federation Finals, which were played the prior evening on Saturday, December 6 at the National Sports Centre.
"You will recall that the BFA cancelled all youth matches on Saturday, December 6 in support of the Bermuda School Sports Federation Finals.
"However, what escaped our decision was the impact that those finals, in particular, the Under 16 and Over 16 Final and the number of players that were obviously affected by playing multiple matches in such a short period of time.
"Managing a schedule takes considerable planning and we accept that at times conflicts arise. We also aim to try and solve as many conflicts whenever they arise. "However, we accept that on this occasion our efforts proved detrimental to the holistic approach to our youth players and the game generally.
"As we move forward, the Association has embarked upon a restructuring programme to address youth football, which among other things will alleviate such conflicts in the future.
"However, we wish to reiterate that youth football is the foundation of football in Bermuda and to this end we once again apologize to all teams, in particular, Bascome FC who have expressed their views with regards this matter."
