Cannonier gets charity call-up

Premier Cannonier took to the field for the nonprofit Focus Counselling Services’ second Annual Nelson Bascome Trophy tournament National Stadium on Saturday.

The event featured two back-to-back matches between the Bermuda National Academy Under-16s v The FC Football Under 16s and Politicians v Celebrity Players. 

Family members and advocates of the charity came out to support the teams and watch their favourite footballers battle it out with leading MPs like Deputy Governor David Arkley, opposition leader Marc Bean and the Premier.

Executive director Sandra Butterfield said in a press release: “I was thrilled with the participation of all the football players, especially the Under 16’s — they were very talented and committed.  

“I am also grateful to the politicians and the celebrity players who came out to support Focus – it means a great deal.”

Goal not met

Despite the success of the game and the picturesque venue, the charity’s financial goal was not met. 

Butterfield said: “The event was still so much fun. 

“I believe the players and those who came had a really good time. 

“So we will make the third Annual Nelson Bascome Trophy bigger and better.”

The event was named in honour of the former Minister Nelson Bascome, whose devotion to the cause of treating and preventing addiction on the island gave the nonprofit the desire to hold an annual football tournament in his name. 

Bascome’s untimely death on July 14, 2009 was a huge loss to the community, and especially to those he helped as a drug counsellor.

“His counselling skills were impeccable,” Butterfield added. “They called him a ‘Man of the Street’. He gave clients inspiration and always treated them with compassion and dignity. He never forgot his clients.”

Mrs Bascome attended the tournament in memory of her husband and handed out the winning prizes to the teams.

Focus Counselling Services has been at the forefront of combating addiction since 1993.  

If you would like to help them continue lifting up the families and members of our society affected by  addiction, then visit their website at www.focus.bm or follow them on Facebook at “Focus Counseling Services.” n