He’s competed at the highest level.He’s coached at the highest level.And in the eyes of many who follow local athletics, he’s eminently capable of taking track and field in Bermuda to a level where it once belonged.Troy Douglas’ appointment as national coach should be applauded.Returning to his native land as someone who can shape the future of the sport has long been the former sprinter’s dream.Now he’s been given the opportunity to do just that and he’ll be aware of the pitfalls that lie ahead.This latest development is another significant step in the sport’s renaissance, started by the current executive and led by BTFA president Donna Watson.A prominent athlete herself in years past, Watson has attempted to implement changes that were long overdue. Yet she’s always contended that a full-time coach was required in order to give local athletes the guidance which previously hasn’t been available.And quite simply that’s Douglas’ remit . . . to help those athletes realise their potential.Since the tragic circumstances surrounding Clive Longe’s death more than 30 years ago, there’s been nobody able to nurture the abundance of natural talent which exists on this small Island.Longe’s unrestricted exuberance brought out the best in Bermuda’s athletes, not only on the track but also on the road.But sadly he won’t be remembered for everything achieved in his coaching career. Instead he will be remembered for the alleged murder of his girlfriend and his subsequent suicide.It might be argued that dark cloud set the sport back years.His successor Gerry Swan is highly qualified but in the eyes of some, he had neither the same charisma nor the people skills of his predecessor.Douglas, on the face of it, appears to have similar qualities as those exhibited by Longe.After reaching three Olympic semi-finals, a feat yet to be replicated, he ‘defected’ to Holland, disillusioned by the lack of support and respect he felt he should have been afforded here.Ultimately it proved to be one of the best moves he could have made.He rose through the ranks of Dutch track and field, making a significant impact on their sprinters. Their 4x100 metres relay team took sixth place at the London Games last month, partially under his guidance.With that kind of experience, he should be able to tackle to the challenges that lie ahead.At his first news conference this week he became an instant hit with the media. That’s hardly surprising as the Dutch national media are far more demanding than what he’ll encounter here. He’ll have learned that working with the press rather than against them can be rewarding.He doesn’t shy away from the difficult questions and he makes no bones about what he intends to achieve.He recognises this won’t be a one-man band. His first task, he emphasises, will be to garner the support of other coaches.Brian Wellman is an obvious choice to become his ‘main man’. He may have been Douglas’ closest contender for the national coach position, if he did throw his hat in the ring.Like Douglas, Wellman has competed on the international stage with staggering results. He was the world indoor triple jump champion and placed with fifth and sixth in two Olympics.Together they could form a formidable team.Now everything depends on financial support, the lack of which is affecting almost every sport in the Island.To his great credit, Douglas has accepted the post without all of the details finalised regarding his salary. That in itself is an indication of his commitment and ambition.But money will be a factor in giving his charges all of the opportunities to compete and put into practice everything he teaches.Sponsors for sport are difficult to find in these times and for obvious reasons Government won’t be as liberal with their annual grants as they may have been in the past.But if companies want to get a bang for their buck outside the normal advertising channels, they could do worse than investing in athletics.Douglas’ goal is to send five athletes to the next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. It’s not an unreasonable target.But he’ll need a little help on the way.Hopefully he’ll get it.* * * *For whatever reason, the new football season has begun with a goal frenzy.In four Dudley Eve Trophy matches so far, 22 goals have been scored — an average of more than five a game. That’s perhaps more we’ve seen in an entire month in previous seasons.Perhaps strikers are showing a sharpness and hunger that hasn’t been evident before, or there’s been an awful lot of sloppy defending.No matter what, it’s making the local game entertaining and should be encouraging more spectators to take their eyes off the glut of English Premier League matches now available on TV and give football the fillip it desperately needs in its own backyard.— ADRIAN ROBSON