Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of my readers!

Let me start by saying thank you all for your positive comments thus far pertaining to my column.

While I know I have not pleased all with my articles, it is never my intention to degrade or belittle anyone, or any team. I hope that as the New Year comes in I will be able to inspire you with more positive, constructive articles.

As I prepare to close the year out it would be remiss of me not to talk about the hottest team in Bermuda, Devonshire Cougars, and their new coach Devarr Boyles.

Cougars lead the Premier Division table at the half-way stage and go into the Dudley Eve as red hot favourites, having already disposed of North Village to win the Martonmere Cup in convincing fashion.

What makes this feat even more noteworthy is the transfer of Raymond Beach at the beginning of the season and the mere fact that they are still settling into the new coaching style of Boyles.

I personally know Devarr from our days at Whitney when we played on an undefeated team that many rated as the best team ever to come out of the school.

Now as colleagues at Whitney I managed to chat with Devarr to discuss how life is at his new home – The Den (Devonshire Cougars).

Q: Going from Dandy Town to Cougars, what has been the biggest difference?

A: The main two differences are the mentalities and the infrastructures.

I think that most clubs know what they should do and who can help as far as being competent in their job capacity.

They just seem to struggle with making consistent decisions and seeing it through. I mean really through to the end.

Q: What is the one thing that you stand by, or believe in, as a coach?

A: All teams believe that their preparations are good. Our focus is really on development of the players technically, tactically, physically, mentally, emotionally and lifestyles.

We are very much in our infancy stages but we are backing our work long-term.

Q: Cougars are one of the hottest teams right now, what would you say is the reason behind the team's success thus far?

A: We have moved to this single thought, we have a big belief that if you practise well the match will take care of itself!

Q: Cougars destroyed Village in the final at Wellington Oval. Were you surprised at how easy they rolled over Village?

A: For some us it was just another big game.

For people with a trained eye who have followed us all season, they would say that the performances have been really good and that was just another performance.

Only those that have watched us sporadically would be surprised.

We are just starting to show signs of consistency, which is always encouraging, but we have only played 10 games.

So we will see after the next ten where we are as far as performances.

Q: Has football changed much from when you were a player, if so how?

A: Certainly, as the world has changed.

The influences of new on the field rules, off the field rules, greater resources, better equipment, and the modern players are technically better, better coaching, etc – it is limitless to me.

I know during my football career I have definitely seen Cougars grow in stature.

Years ago they used to be considered the elevator team, meaning they were too good for First Division, but not good enough for the Premier Division.

However, over the years they have learned how to win and have since instilled a winner's mentality.

What's important to learn from this Devonshire Cougars team is that there is no substitute for teamwork.

They are definitely grasping what their coach Devarr Boyles has introduced to them. They believe in one another and are willing to work for one another, hence the reason why they have so far been successful.

Like all good teams they must have a good leader and in Kwame Steede, Cougars possess the league's most outstanding, electrifying player.

Kwame is a player whose actions speak volumes, a player who has earned the respect of his team-mates through consistent performances.

He is very instrumental on the field and demands total effort from his fellow team-mates.

Cougars and their coach Devarr Boyles will now look to add the Dudley Eve Trophy to their trophy cabinet over the Christmas Holidays.

It should be an excellent tournament, but at the end of the day Santa won't be around to say Ho Ho Ho, but he might be saying Olay Olay Olay.

Merry Christmas!