As I was watching Manchester United destroy Inter Milan this past week I could not help but reminisce when Bermuda's own Shaun Goater scored two goals against my boys (United) a few seasons ago. Shaun helped Manchester City upset Manchester United that day and for the first time it didn't matter that Manchester United had lost because Shaun had scored and he was Bermudian. Now I sit and ask who will be the next Shaun Goater to set England alight? Do our young players really have the commitment and passion that it takes to reach that level?

Growing up Dean Minors and I used to abuse St.George's Cricket Club field every day. During the football season not a day would go by that the two of us would not be playing. Today it is a different scene, when I look down the club field from my balcony, I rarely see youngsters playing unless it is a scheduled training session. Young players just do not play enough; they do not practise enough, when teams are done training how many kids stay after training to practise more? Is it because of the technology age that we are in? Hence children don't really play outside anymore?

While Mr. Broadley and the BFA attempt to rectify football in Bermuda by making wholesome changes, I ask is this really the root of the problem?

How is changing Commercial football going to help improve our standards?

Those that play Commercial football play because they do not have the time to make a commitment or just play merely for recreation. From my point of view why trouble them when this is not an area we should or need to be focusing on. Besides, this is an area where our weaker or beginning referees can gain confidence and experience.

However, the area we need to focus on is the under-13s and under-15s, grooming them, making sure that they have the right structure and correct coaching. As a country we need to identify at least 20-30 kids in these age groups to train on a full time basis at least eight months of the year. Our kids will never develop the proper training skills when training merely for two to three months of the year.

Take a look at the recent Clyde Best tournament where Bermuda's number one team got exposed losing 5-0 to FC Sochaux, where by Bermuda's team two drew 0-0 with the same team. What does this tell us? It tells us that raw talent alone can only get us so far. Most of the boys in team one are so accustomed to dominating their leagues individually that when they had to play as a team they struggled. As a country we need to teach and educate our young footballers about the passing game. We need a coach to work with these guys on a regular basis to eradicate their weaknesses. Look at these two teams that played in the Clyde Best tournament for example, they have not trained since the tournament. If we are going to improve our football we have to make a commitment to our youth.

This brings about another area worth considering and that is the structure of football in the school system. We have to ensure that our national sports (football and cricket) are a high priority in all of the schools, but not at the expense of the other sports, or school work. It would not hurt for the BFA to go into the schools and offer coaching during a lesson or even after school. This could also be a means of finding even more hidden talent. Our players are born talented, but many of them lack the technique that is required for the higher level and that is what we need to focus on.

Mr. Broadley has a wealth of knowledge to offer Bermuda football and I believe he is definitely the right man for the job. He has a vision and passion for football that should filter throughout the entire programme. Clubs, we must give him a chance, even though we may not agree with everything that is proposed. We do have the right to voice our opinion though, because at the end of the day the clubs are the BFA. We as a football nation are heading in the right direction we just need consistency and the future could belong to us. I wish all those involved in improving our football the best because it will take a collective effort.

On a slightly different note, this Saturday, March 14 at Wellington Oval starting at 2.30 the first St. George's Youth Club, which Mr. Donald Dane helped form will be honouring several former players. Among those being honoured are Neil Paynter Sr, Lewis DeSilva, Charlie Fox and Gary Darrell. In addition to this they will be retiring the jersey of Mr.Noel (Sub) Smith #7. Mr. Smith was a phenomenal player with exceptional skill and understanding of the game. He also took time out to coach several St.George's youth teams and this is a special day to say thanks for all of his efforts over the years.

Motto for the week: "If you train hard, you'll not only be hard, you'll be hard to beat." – Herschel Walker