Association (BFA) should consider promoting soccer as a year-round sport.

Figge, a FIFA-appointed expert instructor who has extensive experience working in various countries, indicated that this would improve the level of play, especially among the younger players.

Currently he is conducting a clinic for Bermuda's youth coaches, which has them engaging in both theory and practical sessions on numerous teaching methods.

"Bermuda has the same problem as many other countries that play half a year of soccer and half cricket,'' said Figge, whose most recent posting had him working in Zambia for four years. "When you talk about development and have boys playing both cricket and football it is not conducive for either sport and is something that needs to be addressed by both associations and maybe have them work something out.

"What happens to the boy who has limited skill in the other sport and has six months where he plays nothing.'' He added that with the good weather the island enjoys throughout the year there was no reason why the soccer season could not be extended.

Also noted was the need for more competition against foreign opposition to gain a proper measure of the standard and which areas need improvement.

"Bermuda is not different from a lot of the Third World countries in that they don't have the opportunity to perform often against other countries,'' he said. "It's isolated and there is a lack of competition. The people are very bright and interested, but you have to compete with this knowledge against other countries and see what you can do.'' He highlighted the latest move by the BFA to have the Futuro coaching course and the youth coaching clinic as a step in the right direction. Figge praised president Charles Marshall and administrative assistant David Sabir for their efforts in approaching FIFA about having the courses brought here.

More than 35 coaches have been in attendance at the youth clinic, where the emphasis has been on the manner of dealing with young players, teaching the basics of the game and moulding it into a team concept.

"There are ways of teaching and dealing with the youth, bringing the game to them so that they stay interested,'' continued Figge. "They have to know the basics, how to kick, stop, head the ball and how to prevent goals. We are not so much dealing with tactics at this stage.'' Also noted was the need to combine sport with everyday life.

The years 1952 to 1980 encompassed Figge's playing career where he was a youth selection for Bremen and he also spent time with five other teams in his native Germany.

He gained an amateur coaching licence in 1974 and five years later earned his professional coaching licence. He has been with the German Football Association and German national Olympic Committee since 1980.