Mum's the word regarding the future of Brenton Roberts as Director of Youth and Sport.

Rumours persist that the long-serving civil servant will vacate the post by the end of this month, with May 25 set as his last day in office.

But this week neither Roberts nor Sports Minister Dennis Lister were willing to reveal whether such speculation was indeed accurate, neither confirming nor denying reports of an impending departure.

"You know more than I do at this point,'' said Lister. "I've heard news reports and all sorts of other rumours and innuendoes, so I'm just listening as everybody else is.'' "There's no story to be given at this point.'' Further pressed on the matter Lister, noting the lengthy tenure of Roberts, intimated that the director did have avenues available to him and was weighing his future.

"He has options that he can consider, that's all that's being done,'' he said. "Whether he goes or stays, he's looking at options, but I don't know where the press has picked things up from and gone and run with what they've run with.

"I'm not going to add anything either way. Like anybody else who has worked at a place for a while, at some point you start to consider what your options are, having given long service.'' Meanwhile, Roberts simply reiterated the statements of the minister preferring to reserve detailed comment when asked if he was on the way out.

"My goodness, this place abounds in rumours doesn't it?'' said Roberts with a hearty chuckle. "I don't know. I would reiterate what the minister said.

"I don't think I should be commenting on anything related to that at this point, because like the minister says, you're reviewing your options, you really don't know what the situation is, and it would be premature for me to comment at this time.'' Roberts has been a constant in the post for the past 31 years, having served under the likes of former ministers Pamela Gordon, Tim Smith, John Barritt and currently Lister.

A renowned fitness buff, the barrel chested Roberts was highly regarded as a softball pitcher during the 1970s and early '80s, when he represented Bermuda on the international stage. He also played soccer in his more youthful years, and has been a frequent competitor on the road running circuit more recently.

Television reports have suggested current Female Athlete of the Year Candy-Lee Foggo and former Cup Match star and Bermuda international cricketer Colin Blades as possible replacements for Roberts.

Brenton Roberts: 31 years as Director of Youth and Sport.