Boulevard are reaping instant rewards following radical changes made in an attempt to eradicate the club’s social ills, believes Blazers president Lou Matthews.At the end of last season Blazers gave 13 players the boot who they felt no longer reflected the long-term vision of the Pembroke-based side.The bold move was a direct response to a troubled campaign that had seen club’s name dragged through the mud en route to relegation from the Premier Division.Matthews now wants to see the Island’s other clubs adopt a similar brave stance in an effort to weed out problem players from the domestic game.“It was a tough and courageous stance for us to take but a very important one,” he said.“I think (the other clubs) have also run out of patience with anti-social behaviour at their clubs and the entrenched groups of young men involved in gangs.“The Bermuda Football Association are stepping up their support and are pushing an anti-social initiative along with the other clubs.“Unless we’re all in this together it’s really difficult to make a lasting impact. It’s no good if a guy can go from my club to your club.”Matthews has been surprised by the positive impact the club’s sweeping changes have had in a relatively short time.He also believed returning to Victor Scott Primary School had helped improve the club’s community image.“As soon as we distanced ourselves from certain individuals more people wanted to volunteer and more people wanted to come training I didn’t expect that so immediately.“The atmosphere I used to remember as a child has returned to Boulevard. We have had a number of potential sponsors come to our training sessions so they can see for themselves what we’re trying to do.“The move to Victor Scott has actually had a big impact. We now have triple the number of gentlemen training than we had last season.“We have had players transfer back and others that have indicated they want to come back. We’re really pleased where we are right now and we have some stability.”Troubles, both on and off the field, blighted last season with the club having to withdraw from the Friendship Trophy due to safety concerns and forfeit a league fixture because of a shortage of players.It’s believed many of their squad were fearful of travelling to the West End due to gang-related issues.This season Blazers have fulfilled all of their fixtures, both home and away, winning twice in Sandys a parish off limits for some of their former charges.“We still face challenges. When you’re talking about violence and gang-related problems well, it’s very complicated,” said Matthews, who believed the club had lost sight of their community values in recent years.“(Gang problems) are connected to where you live, not to the same extent as if you’re actually involved, but you do have to be very careful.“However, it’s got a lot better for us now and our gentlemen have really responded.”Blazers head coach Rocky Bean has led the team to fourth in the First Division table, although it’s the club’s off-field accomplishments that have made Matthews most proud.“Rocky Bean has an organised programme and that’s what the young men want a programme that invests in them and believes in them.“We are very proud to have a couple of gentlemen in college and two others who have joined a local General Education Diploma programme.“We have told them that if they finish the programme we will cover the costs of them taking the exam.“Those guys have been going faithfully to the programme and are regulars at training. I’m not sure if that sort of success would have been possible for us last season.”Boulevard have organised several upcoming community projects including a Potluck Christmas Fundraising Dinner on Thursday, and a planned Autism 5K to raise funds for local school programmes.The club will also have a women’s team playing in the BFA’s upcoming Futsal League.