desk -- and, hard as we try, we do get them! -- are those related to the lack, or in our opinion the perceived lack, of coverage of youth activities.

Despite the fact that the ironkid triathlons, the Front Street mile, the KPMG road races, Shell/BF&M youth cricket, the All-Star soccer games, gymnastics and swim meets, junior golf and numerous other events aimed specifically at school-age participants are regularly splashed across our pages, there remain those who feel we don't do enough.

Such complaints, we suspect, often come from parents and immediate family members aggrieved that their own little Johnnie didn't receive due recognition.

At times, of course, they may be absolutely right. We aim to please everybody, but invariably fail. And we don't know too many other newspapers who have yet found a formula that satisfies all of their readers.

The popularity of any sport is determined by its support base. And by and large, as regards school and youth activities, that base is propped up by family and friends, as would be expected.

Yet there's an event this Sunday evening which hopefully will contradict that statistic.

When the Island's national under-15 team step out against the Cayman Islands in the second leg of the Caribbean Under-15 championships, they'll be in effect offering a glimpse into soccer's crystal ball.

These talented teens are essentially soccer's future -- the up-and-coming Clyde Bests, Shaun Goaters and Kyle Lightbournes on whose shoulders our future World Cup and Olympic aspirations rest.

Having surged into a 2-0 lead against their Cayman opposition in the opening away leg two weeks ago, they let that advantage slip and eventually had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Now everything rests on Sunday's game. And while home field advantage should give Bermuda the edge, it can only do so if the players are made to feel at home -- with the full backing of those who profess to follow our national sport.

Will our youngsters get that support? Judging from past events, it's highly unlikely.

Attendance at local football matches has slumped dramatically over the past decade, no more so than at the national level where there has been a strangely apathetic response to senior international games, let alone those at youth level.

On an average Sunday afternoon, the die-hard fans will turn out to cheer on their own club and then retire home for a quiet evening with family.

This Sunday, we hope, there might be an exception. Kick-off at National Stadium is at 7.00 o'clock, giving all of those who watch the regular league matches ample time to make their way up to Prospect.

Moms, Dads, brothers and sisters. We know they'll be there. And, yes, so will our reporters and photographers from The Royal Gazette .

But what about you whingers, who constantly carp about the lack of attention afforded our up and coming stars. Will you be there? -- ADRIAN ROBSON