A NEW football season kicks off this weekend . . . at Wellington Oval.

No disrespect to St. George's, but why is this Sunday's curtain-raiser to the new campaign – the Charity Cup – between last season's league champions Devonshire Cougars and FA Cup champions Boulevard not being played at the National Sports Centre?

Isn't that like taking England's Community Shield to Accrington Stanley rather than Wembley?

When it comes to local football, the NSC is ridiculously underused . . . and it's difficult to understand why.

Bermuda Football Association, while not officially commenting on the reasons they don't use the NSC more often, seem to have some kind of conflict with the Sports Centre trustees, themselves guided by Government.

The NSC boasts the best pitch, not only on this Island but anywhere in the CONCACAF region. And as most coaches agree, good pitches produce better football.

The expansive ground, while still unfinished, also has better facilities for spectators – covered seating to start with.

There are some who will argue that it's difficult to create the right atmoshpere at the Centre, but that's likely because fans have never been allowed to familiarise themselves with the ground – except those who attend Bermuda Hogges games.

So rarely is the pitch used, fans and players could be forgiven for forgetting how to get there.

On the rare occasion Bermuda's national team play a World Cup qualifier or any other important international tie, the crowd can run into three or four thousand and the support invariably gives the home team the advantage they should expect which in turn creates the right atmosphere.

Presumably, one of the reasons the Sports Centre was built in the first place was not only to host international games but the best of local soccer. These days that's not the case. Last season only one cup final – the FA – was played at the NSC. The rest were spread around club grounds across the Island.

That's fine in that it creates revenue for those clubs and it's understood the teams contesting those finals are getting a cut.

But the teams would surely get a share of the profits if the game was played up in Prospect.

Neutral supporters don't seem to matter, although many would prefer a venue where their health doesn't come under threat.

These days consideration has to be given to security and prevention of violence – a topic in which Bermuda is currently engrossed following gang fights, machete attacks and a spate of shootings.

By playing cup finals at one end of the Island or the other is almost inviting trouble.

St. George's recently rejected Boulevard's request to use Wellington Oval as a home ground during the upcoming league season because they feared gangs from town and the East would be given the ideal battleground. Yet they've made no objection to their club hosting this Sunday's one-off Charity Cup match. In fact, they've no doubt welcomed Bermuda Football Association's invitation.

Should fights break out, who do we blame besides the thugs themselves – the BFA, the club or the two teams? More importantly, will Police be able to provide the manpower to control any serious incident? Look what happened at Cup Match, the last major sporting event hosted by St. George's.

Take away the security fear, there are other issues to be considered.

Isn't it unfair to make football fans from the West travel the entire length of the Island to watch a cup final? And vice-versa, when fans from the East have to make the same trip in the opposite direction?

And isn't that why the NSC happens to be where it is – to please everyone?

At the moment, it pleases no-one.

Players and teams should be rewarded for their cup success by being afforded the privilege of playing on the so-called 'carpet', once described by Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish as the best surface he'd ever seen.

Those who have already played on that pitch will agree it's so much better than any club pitch.

Just as Boulevard were desperate to secure a home ground, cup finals should be given a permanent home – the best ground in Bermuda.

Millions of taxpayers' dollars have contributed to building the Island's finest facility which for most of the football season remains untouched.

Maybe our Sports Minister could tell us why?

– ADRIAN ROBSON