I was pleasantly surprised to hear about the Bermuda Football Association and the Bermuda School Sports Federation joining forces to take an elite group of footballers abroad to Florida. The college showcase will give all the boys a fantastic opportunity to display their talent to various college coaches. What pleases me the most about this is the standards that have been met by all the boys in order to be eligible to make the final squad.The following criteria was put in place for the boys: They must have a 2.0 GPA minimum; Have SAT, ACT or PSAT score; Represent their school football team; Attend training sessions/meetings; Have overall satisfactory deportment; Pass the mandatory drug test.It is good to see that the students were focused and committed to their goals of making the team.Often times we, as educators and coaches, forget about standards because winning becomes too important. In this case though, it is winning in life not just football that the two bodies are focused on. Basically, what they have prepared are student athletes, with student being the key word. Some may beg to differ, but in a case like this and many others, if the student doesn’t have the grades to support his or her ability they often miss out and often left wondering what could have been.These young men have done themselves proud and their families and deserve the right to go and display their abilities.Years ago coaches used to come to Bermuda, but probably due to the high cost things have changed. I applaud Mr. Darrin Lewis and Mr.Richard Todd on their efforts to make this work. They have a great coach in Andrew Bascome and are supported by my good buddy Dean Minors, thus having representation from the BFA and the BSSF.I have no doubt these young men will do themselves, their families, and Bermuda proud. I encourage them to listen to their coaches, ask questions and have confidence in themselves. To have an opportunity like this is a once in a lifetime chance.There is no doubt that some of the boys may want to become professional footballers but they must take one step at a time. If it happens for them then great, but if it doesn’t at least they will have a strong educational background to support them for the rest of their lives.I had a chat with a young man the other day who had aspirations on becoming a professional footballer. I told him that just like you want to be a professional there are boys from China, Japan, USA, Italy, France and so on, that have that same dream. So my question to him was, “What are you willing to do different to make sure you give yourself the best opportunity to be successful?”As most football agents would say to their player, “You have to be the first one on the pitch and the last one off”. How many times have you heard stories about various footballers staying after training practising free kicks or working on aspects of their game? These are the things one has to do to separate themselves from the rest.However, in this case the same argument can be made as far as their education. Young men I encourage you to continue studying hard to become the best student athlete you can be as it all has its perks. The choice may come down between you and another player for a scholarship and with both of you equally talented your grades may be the deciding factor.At the end of the day football offers you great opportunities but like most things in life it comes to an end where as an education is something that stays with you for the rest of your life. So I encourage all you young men continue striving to be the best that you can be and go and give it your all.Quote of the week: Winning means you are willing to go longer, work harder, and give more then anyone else Vince Lombardi