Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) have been forced to put their ambitious restructuring plans in cold storage after a request for funding to hire a full-time technical director was turned down by Government.

President Donna Watson believes it will take "a miracle" for Government to change their stance in the current economic climate but has not given up on appointing a Bermudian TD within the next two years.

Also included in the far-reaching proposals twice submitted to Government by the BTFA was the hiring of event specific coaches.

"We're quite aware funds will not come easy now with the economy in the state it is in, but we were asked by Government to provide them with a future vision . . . we came up with the structure of a full-time athletic technical director and part-time specific event coaches," said Watson.

"Last year and this year we submitted our proposal but have not been successful in getting the funding. We realise the economy will probably not allow us to go this route."

The BTFA currently have to operate without a national coach after being unable to renew Gerry Swan's contract because of a cash shortage.

But Watson insisted the absence of a national coach had not hindered the development of the BTFA's programme and said Swan continued to work with young Bermudian athletes.

"Unfortunately last year we didn't receive funding for a national coach and as we knew Gerry had one year left on his contract we used money that was provided for something else and paid him out of that," said Watson.

"Unfortunately this year with all of the international track meets we have lined up we don't have any extra funding. Gerry was made aware of this in November, 2009 when I met with him and discussed this.

"Fortunately the structure we have in place with coaches coaching at the individual clubs and us not having either a national coach or an athletic technical director will not hinder the growth and development of the sport.

"We have used this structure for the last two years and it has been working successfully as you can see with the success of so many of our athletes."

Watson wanted to follow the lead of Bermuda Football Association by appointing a technical director and said the role would have been all encompassing.

Although the position would have been advertised internationally, Watson intended to appoint a Bermudian.

"If by some miracle we were to get this athletic technical director's position approved and funded we would advertise locally and internationally, but our intent is to hire a Bermudian for this position," she said.

"We currently have no one in mind but of course several persons are aware we're looking to the future . . . this position is open to anyone to apply but of course they have to meet our criteria.

"The main role of the athletic technical director would be to provide administrative direction, vision and oversight of all athletic programmes, mentoring, training, advising and evaluating coaches, identifying athletes, assisting with scholarship placements and various other responsibilities.

"This may take a few years before it's approved but that's the direction we're hoping to go in."