ANDREW BASCOME'S decision to walk out on Boulevard this week won't have come as a great surprise to those who know him well.

He takes the game seriously; quite clearly far more seriously than many of those around him.

As a teenager, Bascome was widely regarded as one of the best players Bermuda has produced. There's little doubt he could have made his presence felt in the English League – perhaps becoming as successful as Shaun Goater.

That he didn't pursue that opportunity as vigorously as others with far less talent might remain a decision he may still regret.

As it was, his glittering career as a player was cruelly cut short by injury, and it wasn't long before he turned his attention to coaching.

Off the field he's been just as successful as he was on it.

He's won the league title with different clubs on numerous occasions and collected just about every piece of silverware available.

In short, he's dedicated his life to the game.

These days he coaches almost day and night – imparting his extensive knowledge to both schoolchildren and senior players.

Those under his tutelage will be the first to admit he's made a big difference in the way they play.

The clubs that have benefited from his expertise have the trophies to prove it.

But Bascome's philosophy might be: 'do it my way, or no way' – and he has every right to take that stance.

A strict disciplinarian, he can be seen preparing for training sessions, whether it be for kids or adults, long before the players arrive.

And if the players don't arrive on time, or don't appear at all, they can expect to become victims of his wrath.

That appears to be the case with Boulevard.

Sitting atop the Premier Division, a position they probably wouldn't have occupied without the help of Bascome, complacency set in.

Players didn't turn up for either training or meetings. And that was something their coach wouldn't tolerate.

When his young charges show more commitment than their senior counterparts, then Bascome's decision to abandon them shouldn't come as a shock.

If he can earn more respect from his First Division players at Robin Hood, who he also coaches, then there's every reason why he would watch their game at St. David's last weekend rather than Blazers' crucial match against Premier Division title rivals PHC, a game they lost – their third successive defeat.

That should raise a red flag within the Boulevard camp. Without their messiah, their championship challenge will be a lot less potent in the months to come.

Will Bascome return?

Under the current circumstances, it doesn't appear likely.

Why would he risk damaging a reputation which he's spent so many years to build when he can't earn the respect of the players he's trying to help?

There are plenty of others in local football's top flight who would snap him up given half a chance. And you can bet they'd become a much better team by season's end.

If 'Drew' doesn't return, Boulevard's players will have only themselves to blame should their current decline continue.

* * * *

NATIONAL swim coach Ben Smith made the point this week that such is the success of the local swimming programme, as many as 10 competitors could qualify for next year's Commonwealth Games in India – maybe enough to enter both a men's and women's relay team.

We've had several relay teams compete at major Games in the past – a report in the Gazette earlier this week that said otherwise, was incorrect (see today's Sports Mailbox).

However, as many as five swimmers went to the World Championships in Rome earlier this year.

And that's an indication that competitive swimming in Bermuda has never been stronger.

Kiera Aitken and Roy Allan Burch set a high standard at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and it seems there are plenty more determined to follow in their footsteps.

So why is it we still don't have an Olympic-sized pool in Bermuda?

There's been a lot of talk, numerous promises but little in the way of progress over the last decade and even before that.

Even under the UBP Government, promises were never fulfilled.

Here we are at the end of the 2009 and we're no further forward.

A hole in the ground between the South and North Fields at the National Sports Centre was dug years ago, and apart from puddles formed by rainfall, it's never seen a drop of water.

Money has been set aside for a 50 metre pool in successive Budgets but it's never been spent.

Will that change in 2010?

Those in Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association won't be holding their breath.

– ADRIAN ROBSON