not be allowed to participate for their clubs during the Christmas break.

The Royal Gazette has received correspondence from the NCAA governing body through the Bermuda Schools Sports Federation (BSSF), which clearly states that except for basketball, all student/athletes enrolled at Division I, II or III schools as full-time students are restricted with regards to playing for outside teams.

Rule 14.8.1.1 states: "In NCAA divisions I and II, a student athlete in any sport other than basketball who participates during the academic year as a member of any outside team in a non-collegiate, amateur competition becomes ineligible for intercollegiate competition in that sport for the remainder of the year and for the next academic year. A student/athlete is permitted to practise on such a team.'' Meanwhile the rule is slightly different at the Division III level in that athletes are allowed to play for outside teams provided that this does not occur "during the institution's intercollegiate season in that sport''.

For the American soccer player the rule has minimal effect as their domestic outdoor season takes place largely during the summer months when school is officially closed. But it poses problems for Bermudians whose season occurs during the winter and spring months, in the throes of the fall and spring semesters.

BSSF administrator Clint Smith said that he supported the rule and voiced concern over the possibility of players jeopardising their college careers by attempting to play locally.

"The basis of the rule is to allow them to spend more time on academics, and less on athletics, a major problem in the past,'' said Smith. "I agree with it in that it tries to make sure that they perform in the classroom and it's primary focus is to protect the student/athlete from possible exploitation.

"Additionally our clubs should have the moral obligation to make sure that these guys can perform well academically and don't try to just use them to win football games.

"It's important that this situation be put in proper perspective.'' It has long been the custom of local players to return and play for their clubs, and it is believed that some have even ventured to import players during the course of the year for important matches.

However, this ruling -- only adopted in 1991 by the NCAA -- is being rigidly enforced and Bermuda is no longer an unknown as far as big-time college athletics is concerned.

"Most know (of the rule) and hope they can't get caught,'' Smith continued.

"In the past it may have been overlooked, but now the public eye has been opened to Corey (Hill's situation), which has made it difficult for others.

"There's no way others are going to come back and play. There will be people monitoring players.'' It was also confirmed Hill would not be allowed to play locally during the course of his suspension from the Alabama A&M University soccer program.

Athletic director Gene Bright had indicated that the young striker could participate but this was rebuked by the NCAA.

It appears that only those enrolled at institutions, which come under the jurisdiction of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) -- mostly junior colleges -- are allowed to freely participate outside of the collegiate realm.