Drastic changes are needed if we are to rectify the on going problems that cricket is experiencing today.

With the money available and other lucrative opportunities in cricket, motivation should not be a problem. So why aren't our players, coaches, and clubs, motivated?

Our cricket has become stagnant and unless something is done immediately we will be left at the bottom of the barrel. Those nations who had no previous knowledge of cricket will surpass us. We need the support of everyone, from the very top (Sports Minister) to the bottom (junior cricketer).

Sports Minister Blakeney, I have the utmost respect for you and what you do for Bermuda cricket. However, I strongly urge you to find a home for the Bermuda National Cricket team, somewhere that they can call their own. This would be the first step towards a brighter future.

One only has to look at the Bermuda Football Association and how they invested in a training facility, which all their teams now train at, from under 13's right up to the senior team.

Years ago there was talk about the Bermuda Cricket Board taking over White Hill Field, but that never came to fruition. The idea of having somewhere centrally located so that the team can train regularly would be perfect.

Basically, what is needed is a training complex that has an outdoor field with at least three wickets, also a series of at least five concrete training nets on the side. In addition to this there should be an indoor facility with three wickets so that if it rains the team still has somewhere to train.

The building should also be equipped with a weight room, five small bedrooms, kitchen and bathrooms, for when the team has to go in for a mini camp prior to a major tournament like the one coming up. I know this may sound extravagant, but it really isn't. All you have to do is model the one in Trinidad that Gus Logie took us to, and you will see how simple of a project it really is.

Moving down the list, it will be interesting to see what happens when Mr. Allen Richardson finally takes over as president of the Bermuda Cricket Board once the current President, Mr. Pearman, steps down at the end of his term.

What new ideas and mandates will be brought to the table? One of the first things on his agenda should be to find a suitable candidate for the vacancy of First Vice President, the position he currently holds.

The position calls for someone who is passionate about the sport, is youthful at heart, is creative, and someone who is committed to making a difference for the betterment of the sport. In the past we have had far too many people fill positions of club representatives on the Board that really don't have the time or interest that is required to make a difference.

Cricket needs more than just a facelift it needs major surgery. Let's put back all that is out of place and then add whatever else is necessary to have the cricket body functioning healthier.

The start is with coach David Moore coming onboard. He will make a difference. Having talked with one or two of the players the consensus is that he is a no nonsense type of coach. He knows what he wants and how to get there and either you're in or you're out.

There is always resistance to change, but if we do not wish to continuously embarrass ourselves on the international stage then let's roll with it. Cut out all of the politics and personal ills and work together towards the common goal of raising the standard of our national sport.

It should be mandatory that all coaches be certified, including club coaches. This may seem overboard, but coaches have a direct impact on our youngsters and if they are not fully equipped coaches, then the kids and ultimately our future national players are vulnerable to bad habits, substandard techniques, and misconceptions about the game.

We need to have feedback from our National coach as to the strengths and weaknesses from the junior level to the senior level in training sessions and league games. Also, it would be good if each club could have one training session under the new national coach so that players who may not be good enough for the national squad can get a sneak preview of the expectations of a national squad player. This may also be a catalyst to motivate average players to work hard to improve their game in order to reach the national level.

There is one idea I want to share with clubs that has proven to assist younger players coming through. Years ago St George's implemented a mentoring program whereby each senior player was paired up with a junior player in his or her respective area. The senior player would put aside three or four sessions a month to train with the junior team. This resulted in one on one hands on training for the young player. This inspired them and motivated them to strive for excellence.

As a country we need to search for a system that works for us, a system that brings about stability and continuity. Far too many countries have gone above and beyond us recently and it's time we move towards rekindling our cricket back to a level of respectability.

Bermuda this is my last passionate article concerning cricket because there is only so much that can be said. I look forward to writing about the positive results stemming from the overall changes. I am a strong believer that action speaks louder than words.

So let's stop the talking and let's come together collectively and start revamping our number one national sport, the sport we all love, cricket.