Popular all-round sports official Cal Simons is the Ministry of Youth and Sports newly appointed Senior Development Officer.

The long-serving West End primary school physical education co-ordinator and coach of local track club Bermuda Pacers, has officially taken over from predecessor Phillip Guishard who stood down from the post late last year.

Simons, 49, has taught at West End for the past 24 years and been head coach of Pacers for 22 years.

In the past Simons played football at now-defunct Warwick Bombardiers, enjoyed a brief stint playing rugby with Teachers and also ?dabbled? in track and field before eventually taking up youth coaching posts at PHC Zebras.

Simons provided Bermuda Referees? Association with many years of service before retiring at the end of the 2003-04 season. The former West End teacher has also acted as chairman of Bermuda School Sports Federation for the past three years.

?It was a very emotional decision to make . . . it wasn?t easy, believe me,? said Simons, alluding to his decision to walk away from the local school scene.

?I really enjoyed working with kids and it?s something that I still enjoy today.

?And I intend to remain actively involved with kids particularly through my track and field club (Pacers).?

Though appointed last December, Simons officially began his new job at the Ministry of Sport yesterday.

The long-time Warwick resident is now responsible for overseeing Government?s sports and recreational facilities and assisting the Island?s various national sports bodies and local club facilities in a broad range of capacities.

?I?ve always wanted to go into administration and this opportunity presented itself with the retirement of Mr. Guishard,? Simons continued. ?After you have done something for a very long time there comes a point when it?s time to try something different ? in this particular case something new in sports.

?I?ve been involved in the coaching aspect of young kids and I will always be involved in sports period. But coming to the Ministry is going to provide me with more insight on how sports is actually run in the country and I?m very much looking forward to the new challenge.?

Asked how he was adapting to his new surroundings at the Ministry, Simons replied: ?It?s been interesting! Today (yesterday) is my very first day in office and I?ve had the opportunity to go around and observe how some of the various departments and facilities operate and so it has been a very eye-opening experience for me just as I expected this new position to be.?