MONEY, money, money . . .

Most of us wish we had more, in particular the Island's two national sports who, because of ballooning financial demands, can't be looking ahead to 2005 with any sense of optimism.

While both cricket and soccer in Bermuda are essentially amateur sports, success at international level can only be achieved through a professional approach.

And it's become increasingly clear in recent years that there simply aren't enough funds available to support the ambitions of either game.

Successive governments have continually short-changed both sports in the annual Budget while at the same time refusing to entertain any proposal for some kind of national lottery, the likes of which have made an enormous difference in other countries.

Corporate sponsors can only contribute so much and, generally speaking, have demonstrated a generosity which has far outweighed any benefits they could hope to reap from such ‘investment'.

It's now reached a point where either both sports find alternative ways of raising finances or simply settle for mediocrity.

Cricket has reached something of a watershed.

With the ICC Trophy Tournament in Ireland just six months away - a competition in which Bermuda perhaps has its best ever chance of qualifying for a World Cup - the immediate appointment of a full-time coach, the organisation of incoming tours, outgoing tours and a national squad committed to full-time training at least two months before the event begins, are absolute necessities.

Yet without the required funds, all of the above are nigh impossible.

And with so little time remaining to get plans in place, it's difficult to imagine where the money's going to come from.

That, presumably, can be the only reason why Bermuda Cricket Board are continuing to stall on any announcement regarding ICC Trophy preparations.

Soccer, too, finds itself in a similar boat.

With failed World and Caribbean Cups behind them, Bermuda Football Association are well aware that even regional success on the international front can be achieved only through a programme which keeps the national squad active year-round.

An incoming tour involving top club sides from Denmark and Brazil is reportedly in the pipeline, and that's good news for coach Kyle Lightbourne.

But the former English pro will presumably want to see a long-term programme in place before he decides whether to continue in the post after his contract expires in March.

And again, any such programme will heavily depend on funds available.

There's little doubt that Sports Minister Dale Butler will be a key figure in the coming year.

Quite rightly he's always demanded accountability from all of the sports governing bodies operating on taxpayers' money.

But the money coming out of Government coffers just isn't enough.

If we're serious about the success of our national sports, the contribution has to be much greater.

- ADRIAN ROBSON