After reading the article in the January 13 edition of The Royal Gazette, "BFA tackle football's decline", it peaked my interest to try and find an answer as to why.

Having played football myself for several years at the top flight in Bermuda I ditto the headline and even put an exclamation point on the fact that the standard has not only declined but deteriorated from the youth level right through to senior.

Coaching or lack of coaching seems to be a big part of the problem. We do have some quality coaches at the Premier level, but at the lower level where the kids should be learning the basics and focusing on improving their skills, we seem to lack the attributes necessary for coaching at that level.

I have to give credit to Andrew Bascome and Kenny Thompson because they are by far two of the best coaches in Bermuda. Not only do they coach senior teams, but they also coach youth football at various ages.

Both Andrew and Kenny understand the importance of reaching our kids at an early age. Hence the reason why for the last couple of seasons their teams have dominated youth football at different age groups, thus showing that their kids are not only skilful but they are becoming technically sound.

How many of you have gone to a youth football game and asked yourself what is that coach thinking? I know I have! There are many clubs who basically use parents as coaches due to the shortage of them. It is good that parents assist and help out, but it is the club's duty to give that parent as much information and support as possible.

What frustrates me most is that we have so many quality former football players who should have a great deal to offer the game of football, but they choose to keep their knowledge to themselves.

I know when I was growing up this was one area St.George's was very strong in. All of our youth coaches were former players who knew the game. Personally I recall Noel (Sub) Smith being the one youth coach who was very instrumental in developing my game. From what I know of him, he was a sound player who at the end of his career gave something back to the sport.

Clubs need to put more emphasis on youth development, therefore identifying quality coaches for the younger age groups. If a kid learns something the wrong way at a young age it is often difficult to break him out of that habit when he gets older. Several players come to the national level with immense skill, but lacking the general technical ability and understanding of the game.

Another factor that hinders our kids' learning curve, and I hate to say this, is parent involvement. Do not get me wrong, parent support is extremely important and I commend all parents who play a part in their kids' sporting life. However, it becomes a problem when we have parents on the sidelines giving their kids an instruction which in some cases is contrary to what the coach is trying to implement.

At some clubs this habit became so disruptive that individual clubs had to call meetings with parents to inform them that shouting out instructions to their kid would not be tolerated.

One thing I have come to learn is that every coach is different. Locally, to date the best coach that I have had the pleasure of playing under is Scott Morton (the current Dandy Town coach). He reminds me of my College of Charleston coach Ralph Lundy, who I rate as the best coach I have ever played under.

At the end of the day the clubs have to be held accountable for their coaching staff. It should be imperative that all youth coaches go through a basic coaching programme to ensure that our kids are getting taught the basics properly.

In order for Bermuda to improve overall the focus has to be on our youth. We have to build a programme that will see positive results in about five years from now.

Our under 13s and under 15s have some very talented players. If we can concentrate on them in all aspects of the game, both on and off the field, the future looks bright. It is important that we identify a style of play that is suitable for our players.

I am so glad to see Mr. Broadley on board with the BFA. He will definitely be good for Bermuda football. With him as technical director overseeing youth football at the national level, it will help us to rid the politics that for years has threatened to ruin our football.

Football is one of our national sports and, as they say, it takes a village to raise a child. Well we cannot put the onus solely on the BFA to improve football.

Clubs have to take responsibility by putting sound programmes in place. On top of that, parents I urge you to take time out to play with your kid in the back yard or on the field. Every little bit helps.

The future of Bermuda football is in all of our hands – the BFA, the clubs, the parents and the general public. Together we all have to help make a difference.