Government has announced two new features to its After School Programme (ASP).

They include the Homework Club and the Sportsmanship Programme.

The former will provide a quiet place for children to do their homework, while the Sportsmanship Programme will foster good sportsmanship across various sporting disciplines, culminating with the presentation of the Rick Santos Sportsmanship Award.

The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation has operated the After School Programme since its inception in 1985. It has grown from the initial programme, which started in St. George’s Community Centre, to a total of 11.

According to a Government statement: “The After School Programme is an integral component of the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation with one of its mandates to ‘develop youth through sport and recreation’.

“To that end, the After School Programme activities include badminton, rugby, volleyball, tennis and bowling in consultation and partnership with the relevant National Sports governing bodies.

“The most recent partnership is with the America’s Cup and their ‘AC Endeavour Programme’. There are also recreational programmes which offer educational and life skill development such as the Explorers Club at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, as well as art instruction through Master Works Museum and Pride Bermuda.

“The ASP is a safe and structured programme that is available to parents who have to work until 5pm. It is offered at a very affordable price and uses a voucher system. These vouchers can be purchased at the Bermuda Government Post Office at a cost of $30 each with one voucher per week for the duration of the school year/school term.

“The ASP serves approximately 500 children and employs 60 staff.”

For more information, contact the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation at 295-0855.