BRITTNEY MARSHALL with a gold and a silver medal in the shot putt and discus, Latroya Darrell with a silver in the high jump and a sprinkling of personal bests by other members of the squad highlighted Bermuda's trip to Trinidad over the weekend for the annual CARIFTA Games.

And while they can all feel immensely proud of those achievements, unfortunately this wasn't a story about the medals we won - more about those we didn't.

As has been documented in this column on previous occasions, there was a time not that many years ago when Bermuda could go to CARIFTA and return with a bucketful of medals.

In junior athletics, Bermudians could hold their own with the rest of the Caribbean.

That's no longer the case.

Standards have improved and competition has become more intense. But what that tells us is that while other islands to our south have progressed, here in Bermuda we've failed to keep pace.

Much like our two national sports, football and cricket, Bermuda athletics has slithered down the international ladder, both globally and regionally.

And it's clear that not enough is being done to harness and develop the obvious talent that exists within our junior ranks.

A year from now Bermuda will host the CARIFTA Games. It's normal to expect the host nation to be competitive.

And there's no reason, given our resources, why we can't be.

But between now and next April, there's much work to be done . . . not least a commitment from the governing body, Bermuda Track and Field Association and the various coaches and clubs to work as one.

At present, that isn't happening. And it shows.

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AS DIFFICULT as it may have been, Shaun Goater's decision this week to turn his back on Manchester City won't have come as any great surprise. Given the way he's been treated, many will have asked, why has it taken him so long?

A professional footballer, particularly one who has enjoyed as successful a career as Goater, simply wants to play football.

When he's denied that opportunity, the only alternative is to move on.

There's no doubt he'll be missed by the City fans and others at the club . . . in fact, by just about everyone but manager Kevin Keegan.

The former England boss says he wants Goater to stay.

But having continually overlooked the Bermudian in preference for the ineffective Robbie Fowler, most City supporters know better.

Goater never did and never will fit into Keegan's plans.

There'll be no shortage of offers and whoever lands the prolific marksman can be guaranteed a solid return on their investment.

And wouldn't it be poetic justice if the club he eventually joins returns to Maine Road next season and Goater plants a couple of goals past his old team-mates - just as he did against City rivals United this season.