Football coach Andrew Bascome has his hands full ? at least for the next few days.

And it?s not with Premier Division club Devonshire Cougars but instead with 80 of the Island?s players of tomorrow.

The former North Village, Boulevard and national team midfielder is passing on a few pointers to local youngsters during a week-long camp at Devonshire Recreation Club.

Bascome officially signed on as coach at the Den earlier this year ? two years after resigning as coach of Dandy Town and opting for retirement.

Possessing arguably one of the brightest football minds in the local game, Bascome recently made a considerable investment in training gear and apparatus which he has wasted little time putting to good use.

?I just decided to put on a football camp for the kids because school is out this week,? said Bascome yesterday. ?And so far it has turned out okay.?

So far participants have been extremely receptive in spite of yesterday?s torrential rain, noted Bascome.

?The first kid arrived here just before 8 a.m. and so far everyone has been eager to go. And it?s just been really great because as you know rainy weather is football weather and the equipment (training apparatus) has made things a whole lot easier.?

During the camp, participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of the sport.

?It?s just a basic training camp,? Bascome explained. ?The kids are learning some of the basic aspects of the sport and will be involved in small-sided games and practising things such as free kicks.?

Assisting Bascome is brother Herbie and father Herbie Sr ? a long-time chef at Southampton Princess who is preparing daily lunches for the youngsters ? while Baltimore-based younger brother David contributed to the cause by shipping in 100 new footballs.

Several members of Devonshire Cougars Under-17 youth squad are also lending a hand.

Today will see top referee Stuart Crockwell address camp members on the rules of the game.

?Stuart will drop by today to give a little lecture on simple rules of the game and hopefully the kids will gather a lot of information from that,? added Bascome.