Growing up with a father who was his best friend, Neal Churchill knows just how important it is to have someone to look up to.This is why the 31-year-old bank manager was so keen to become a role model for someone who didn’t have a man in his life to turn to.Neal signed up to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda about 18 months ago and was matched with Taj Dawson-DeRosa.The pair immediately hit it off because of their love for all sports and it also helped that they are both diehard Arsenal fans.Neal says he wanted to “help show Taj right from wrong” and his dedication has paid off as he’s been named Big Brother of the Year 2011Twelve-year-old Taj nominated his Big Brother for the annual award because “he always makes the time for me” and tries to include him in whatever he is doing. Taj said he and Neal “are so much alike, it’s unbelievable”.Taj went on to explain in his nomination letter that he had “the best Big Brother ever” as they do lots of fun stuff together, but made it quite clear that he was not spoiled.Talking about why he wanted to become a Big Brother, Neal said: “I am from a stable, solid family background“My dad was always playing football with me in the garden and that bond was a very important part of growing up for me.“It’s always important to have someone like that in your life, my dad is the best guy and I’m lucky to get on well with both my parents.“Taj is at a very impressionable age so I’m glad I’m there for him.”Neal, who is from England, said he and Taj share the same interests and he was immediately struck by his ambition.Neal fondly recalls how at their first meeting he asked Taj what his two ambitions were. Taj replied that he wanted to play for Barcelona and go to Harvard University.Neal continues to remind Taj of those comments and explains that it is important to knuckle down in school in order to get ahead in life. Neal has been living in Bermuda for about two-and-a-half years and works at the Butterfield Bank as a relationship manager in private banking.He was introduced to Big Brothers Big Sisters by a work colleague and concluded “it just seemed the logical thing to do”.“As an expat, it’s a great way to give back to the community and to get to know a local family,” he added.“I’ve really seen Taj changing and progressing and it was really touching to hear what he said about me. It makes you realise why you do it in the first place.”Neal is all the more important to the Whitney Institute Middle School student, as a shortage of Big Brothers meant he was left waiting for a match for more than 18 months.Taj, of Smith’s, said: “I waited a long time, but it was worth it. I was so excited to have a Big Brother, I still am.“We do lots of fun stuff, we play a lot of football. It’s good because we are both Arsenal.“He shows me new things and teaches me about England.”Taj also proudly talks about how it was his Big Brother who taught him how to become a stronger swimmer, adding: “Now I’m always in the pool.”When they were first matched, Taj was swimming widths, but he’s now swimming lengths.Taj’s mom Coreen Dawson said she wanted her son to have a Big Brother as she thought it was important he had a positive male role model “to look up to”.She said: “When Taj and Neal were matched, it was the perfect match. They hit it off straight away.“They just get along so well and enjoy all the same things.“Neal is an avid sportsman, so they play a lot of football, cricket and golf.”Coreen, who has a 27-year-old daughter called Stacy, has nothing but praise for Neal, calling him “a very much welcome addition to our family”.She said: “Neal’s definitely had a positive impact on Taj. He’s a great role model.“Taj used to be really shy but Neal has helped with his confidence and has really brought him out of his shell.”