An initiative involving some of Bermuda’s most famous footballers to stem the violence surrounding the sport and island’s clubs is needed to help avoid a “national security issue”, according to one frontline outreach worker.

The warning from community volunteer Gina Ingham came during a press conference yesterday to unveil details of the Bermuda International Football Festival, set to take place next month.

“If we don’t help our young men get education, get employment, it will be a national security issue,” she said.

“This group is growing.”

The brainchild of former Bermuda Broadcasting Company chief Rick Richardson, the April 29 event is designed to “mobilise a countermovement” to reverse the recent trend of violence associated with football and community clubs.

The initiative involves Bermudian former professional footballers David Bascome, Clyde Best, and Shaun Goater, and has the support of the Bermuda Football Association, president Mark Wade announced at yesterday’s conference.

Working in different capacities with young men for more than a dozen years, Ms Ingham said that sport could act as the “building block for success”.

Those she works with all ask for the same things, she said; education and employment.

“With sports you learn discipline; you learn teamwork — which translates into a commitment which only enhances success,” she said.

That success, she said, can translate to the classroom, and later to the workplace.

According to Ms Ingham, she and former colleagues now with the Government are working to streamline and co-ordinate social services “that are already in existence”.

The hope, she said, is with the help of Bermuda College, to help provide the education and training needed for success.

“Through sports, all of that can be achieved, we feel,” Ms Ingham said. “This initiative isn’t completely off the ground yet, but we’re going to work very hard to ensure that it does, so that our young men can have the self worth they need to be successful.”

The Save programme — Successful Academic and Vocational Education — will “extend a lifeline to a number of young men already engaged in criminal activity and antisocial behaviour,” Mr Richardson said.

The intervention programme is supported by Bermuda College, as well as the Department of Court Services and Department of Workforce Development, he said.

In addition to celebrating the game of football, the event also seeks to raise funds for Gina Spence Productions, an organisation doing “amazing work”, according to Mr Richardson.

During yesterday’s press conference, he praised the impact of the work done in the community by both Ms Spence and Ms Ingham.

“Today, without people like you, our people — especially our young people — would be a lot worse off,” he said.

“So we are greatly indebted to you.”

Founded eight years ago, Gina Spence Productions’ Champions Programme — supporting the children left behind by victims of gun violence — would benefit from funds, founder Gina Spence said.

To date, the group has helped nearly 60 children.

“We’re excited about the funding that will come out of this for our children and our families,” she said.

“We look forward to being part of this.”

Earlier this month, in the most recent incident of football-related violence, Raymond Butterfield was fatally stabbed outside the Blue Waters Anglers Club.

The 28-year-old footballer with First Division side Wolves was father to an eight-week-old daughter.

“When you look at a child that young and the resources needed to give that child a road to success, you’re talking about a long journey,” Ms Spence said of Mr Butterfield’s daughter.

Mikiel Thomas, 19, a Bermuda Under-20 footballer, has been charged with unlawful killing in connection with the incident.

Football, Ms Spence said, was the “bedrock” of many of the families that the organisation had supported over the years.

“Many of these incidents, unfortunately, have happened at our clubs,” she said.

“But I believe we can go right back to that source and start the healing. I am so excited that football is going to be the tool to bring our community back together and to help our families.”