Kids told: Heed the Goat and stay off the Stop list

Footballer Shaun Goater yesterday told kids to "just say no" to bad influences that could haunt them into adulthood.

He also helped launch a competition in which two teenagers can win return flights to Washington DC and New York.

The Bermuda Hogges co-owner and player, who made his name playing in the English premiership, has joined forces with the American Consulate in an effort to educate kids that if they want the freedom to travel to the U.S. they have to stay out of trouble with the law.

Anyone who has committed a crime, regardless of the country they live in, is put into a database and put on the U.S. stop list, which restricts or even bans entry in the country.

Mr. Goater told us: "There are a lot of challenges, influences and temptations out there, but what I did when I was about ten or 11 is, I started to hang around positive people. Kids know the ones who are positive by what they say and do and how they act. That's so important."

Mr. Goater said he understands how difficult it can be for kids who are trying to fit in with their peers and he appealled to their parents or guardians to sit them down and explain that there are consequences for every action.

Mr. Goater went on to become one of the country's most celebrated football players. He says he still sees his old mates today, some of whom ended up on the stop list and they respect him for keeping clean and following his dreams.

He said: "I knew that playing football was what I wanted out of life and my ambition was to play ball in a bigger field than tiny Bermuda.

"For me, travel, often to or through the United States, was an integral part of my plan. If I had had a criminal conviction, I would have been placed on the stop list and denied access to my dreams."

He added: "I am here today to ask you not to put yourself on the stop list. I'm asking each and every one of you to take responsibility for yourself. Do the right thing for your sake and stay out of trouble now."

To get kids interested and to help spread the message the American Consulate has launched a slogan and art competition.

It's asking high school students to come up with a five to ten word slogan or an original piece of artwork on the theme 'Keep Yourself off the Stop List.'

The deadline for entry is June 15. Slogans can be emailed to stoplistcampaign@state.gov or faxed to 296 9233. They can also be dropped off at the Consulate on Middle Road, Devonshire.

Art entries should be no larger than 18' by 24'. For more details visit www.hamilton.usconsulate.gov.

Consul General Gregory Slayton first launched the campaign earlier this year. At yesterday's press conference he reiterated the sentiment that the U.S. has enough of its own criminals without letting foreign criminals in.

Yesterday he said the winning competition entries would end up on Dunkley's Dairy milk cartons.

Students who attended the press conference were excited to see Mr. Goater and said his words would carry weight.

Sean Crockwell, 15, who attends the Bermuda Institute, said: "I think it was a really good message and it should get through to the young people. Sometimes young people don't know how much trouble they get into will really shape their future goals."

Courtesy of the Bermuda Sun reporter Nigel Regan