As another school year roles around, there has been a question or thought that I have been pondering.

Who are our children's role models?

Are they athletes, ministers, parents, actors, or singers?

The truth of the matter is that any one of those listed and many others that were not listed can be a role model for someone.

Whether you want the responsibility or not, when you are a focal point in what you do, some innocent child is watching you and may be mimicking you as well.

So as an athlete what part should we play in mentoring our up and coming sports stars?

Sportsmen of today and sportsmen of yesterday have a responsibility to nurture and guide the young players of the future.

The challenges that our young people today are faced with requires us to be more vocal, more attentive, in essence more vigilant.

I sat with a young cricketer this weekend and asked him 'do you know Clarence Parfitt, Lionel Thomas, or Eldon Raynor', I then added a few other names from the past, and not surprisingly he had heard of maybe only one or two of them.

Where have we gone wrong? This is our national sport and the heroes of yesterday and today should be known by all those who partake in the sport.

But whose responsibility is it? My answer might be controversial, but I believe that it is the responsibility of today's players and the former players to reach out to our youngsters.

As a country we have become better at recognising player's accomplishments, but how about we add to that and utilize these gentlemen more.

These former players have words of wisdom and a wealth of knowledge that could serve to motivate our youth not just in sports, but life in general.

We need to start tapping into the minds of our children, with the history of the game.

Simple things like going to various schools giving speeches, demonstrations, or attending youth national squad trainings from time to time, simply helping out a bowler or batsmen, or just talking with the players.

Personally, when I was growing up I used to love talking with Winston Coe Trott, Sad Brown, Dennis Wainwright and Eldon Raynor, I don't know if they realise the impact that they had on me with their words of wisdom.

I remember Winston Coe Trott particularly having a conversation with me when I was 16 years old and until today I have never forgotten it.

He told me I have a lot of natural ability, but as I get older I will have to start studying the bowler more, watching the point of delivery from the bowlers hand.

He then went on to explain to me how he got me out that day. I would just say there is no substitute for experience.

Personally I know I have benefitted from his talks and it's important that our youngsters today talk more with former players. To me when I was growing up they were my role models.

Apart from those former players that I named my number one sporting role model was Graham Gooch, England's former captain.

I studied his game, read his books, studied videos of him etc. Again, he too said something in his book that I will never forget and I always tell my players whenever the need arises.

"When you are a player always show your captain respect and act in a professional manner because one day you may be in that position of captaincy and your players will always remember how you acted when you were just a player."

There are many different pools to choose from when picking a role model.

A cricket player may have a basketball player as his role model, or one of his teachers.

It is merely the impact or impression that someone leaves with you that intrigues you to aspire to be like that person.

That is why as athletes or public figures we have to ensure that our kids see us doing and saying the right things.

When I was younger I would simply drink a beer after the game in a bottle walking around the field in the public's eye for all to see, but today I would never do such a thing as I am more conscious of the young cricketers watching me.

In today's world and the way things are happening in Bermuda it is of the utmost importance that we get as many role models as possible and get them into the schools tapping into the minds of our children on a regular basis.

Our children need to see and hear from positive thinking people as often as possible.

The future is bright for Bermuda in sports as long as we guide our children the right way regardless of what sport they are in.

As sportsmen and sportswomen we have a duty to our country to lead by example.

Just for the record if you play sports you are considered a role model because you never know what kid is looking at you and what kid admires you.

Athletes be vocal, be noticeable and help make a difference, our children need you now more then ever.