This past week has really opened my eyes as to why sports in other countries prosper.For example, in England these children eat, sleep and drink sports, as they are exposed to it day in and day out through various resources.They are surrounded by it on the television, the parks, live games, five-a-side, etc . . . and on top of that, sportsmen are treated like royalty and are respected and looked upon by youngsters who dream of one day being like their hero.A few things actually caught my attention this week while travelling around England. Firstly, as I walked outside my door approximately some fifty metres from my house there is a little grassy area where the neighbourhood boys were playing like they do every day. There is this one child, we call him Diego as he has a haircut like Diego Forlan (Uruguay footballer), but this youngster is so skilful for his age.What he can do at the age of eight is incredible, but it comes from hours and hours of him playing nonstop, day in and day out. He doesn’t care how big the other boys are, he gets stuck in and plays regardless, but it is his passion that will eventually make him successful.Sometimes I just sit in awe and watch him as often you can hear him say, “I’m Wayne Rooney”, and I have no doubt that one day he will be just as good, if not better then Wayne Rooney.After that I took a trip to Croydon to see my mate’s son playing cricket. What I have been saying all along that Bermuda youth cricket should have in place, they have in place here.Here it is the end of August and they are still running cricket camps for boys who are interested. These boys are training from nine in the morning to three in the afternoon, three days a week, with three coaches.One group of boys are batting and bowling on the wicket, while the other boys are in the nets getting specialist coaching. Unbelievable, but pretty to watch.When the camp had ended my mate’s son wanted to play some more so we stayed, and bowled to him for a good 30 minutes and then he bowled to me for a good 30 minutes. So here it is 4pm and he then informs his dad, “Don’t forget I have regular cricket training at 6 o’clock tonight”. I was stunned, I had to ask my mate was he joking, but he wasn’t, he was dead serious.Passion! Why am I saying all of this one may be wondering?The question I continuously am asking myself is, do our young men lack the passion or do we as a country or sports body not provide the opportunity for them to thrive?If there was a cricket camp in August which was well run by say national squad players, do you think parents would send their children? How many children would attend the camp?I ask this because two months ago his son was at my house playing and now two months later after non-stop continuous training daily I have seen a vast improvement.So why can’t this happen in Bermuda? Which again reiterates what I have been saying for years in Bermuda — provide the avenue with the right people running it, and children will participate. Like anything else in life the more you do it the better you get.Later on in the week I am sitting home and what comes on, football, football, and more football, plus cricket, cricket, and more cricket, men’s and ladies to be exact. As a sports person I felt spoiled with the abundance of options.However, the main item on the agenda this week was the football transfer deadline.Fans, both young and old were at their respective club’s in their team’s jersey watching to see who was going to be joining their team on transfer deadline day, which was Monday gone.The atmosphere was electrifying, but one thing stood out to me. When Gareth Bale transferred to Real Madrid and Marouane Fellaini transferred to Manchester United, they both said how it was their dream to play for their new club ever since they were young lads playing in the park and in their back yard, and it reminded me of the little boy in my neighbourhood, Diego.That, within itself, highlights my point. For our young men to be able to prosper in their respective sport we must provide the avenue and push them.Trust me, children who are exposed to camps and national squad players visiting their schools, it has a lasting effect. We need to provide more opportunities and services for our young men whether it is through the schools or the clubs. Also, while at these camps or training we must also provide an avenue to teach life skills.We take for granted that every child is given this opportunity, but in some cases they are not and therefore they suffer, and Bermuda suffers in the long run.Prime example, my son Jonte was walking in Asda (grocery store) and out of the blue this young boy, he couldn’t have been any older than eight, runs up to him all alone and says, “I know you, you coached me at my school with Crawley, you’re Jonte Smith”.It almost brought tears to my eyes. Right there and then I realised why I became a teacher, why I love to coach, and why I love sports so much. It’s moments like that which are magical.As a sportsman you are always touching some child’s life in some way, shape, or form.You just never know how or in what way you may have an impact on a child’s life, whether positive or negative.Children look up to sportsmen as role models and in some cases as idols, therefore one must always play to the best of his ability, and conduct himself to the best of his ability, both on and off the pitch.Sadly, I must admit I didn’t learn this until later in my career and that’s probably why I am so keen to return to teaching and coaching so that I can continue touching young men’s lives in a positive way, early rather than later.Quote of the week: You see things; and you say ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and I say ‘Why not?’ - George Bernard Shaw