TOP football instructor Derek Broadley returned to Bermuda this week to conduct courses for the island's coaches.

Broadley was in Bermuda last December when 64 local coaches took advantage of his clinics and now he will be giving further clinics today, Saturday and Sunday.

The former Academy Director at Crystal Palace who is now the the Academy Director of Berk County Soccer Academy in the United States where he manages all 17 select teams for the Reading Rage, Broadley is being brought in by the Bermuda Football Foundation which was formed in September last year with the sole purpose of enhancing and assisting the sport on the island.

The president of the BFF is former West Ham striker Clyde Best, who is also a columnist, vice president Robert Calderon, treasurer Mark Trott and secretary Richard Calderon.

Trott is a former Bermuda national team coach while the Calderon brothers played for the Bermuda national team.

Richard Calderon said: "We were concerned with the declining state of local football and so a small group of former national team players, coaches and administrators who are all currently involved in youth football were moved to act."

Calderon said the the foundation's ultimate goal is delivering a "comprehensive, long-term plan of action".

"The group created a series of coaching clinics, targeting the 120 youth football coaches, PE teachers and over 2,000 youth players. We want this audience to be exposed to world class coaching education, delivered by proven professionals renowned for their ability to coach the coach, to coach the player."

The BFF received charitable status in January of this year and began putting their words into action.

Calderon said: "The strength of the BFF is its people. The four principal officers have represented Bermuda as players, coaches and administrators and are committed to assisting Bermuda's football growth, from the ground up. Their emphasis is placed on youth football and as a not-for-profit organisation the BFF are committed to delivering programmes to local coaches and players at the lowest possible cost or at no charge and through the generous support of HSBC-Bank of Bermuda Foundation and other sponsors. We feel we have met this goal."

This will be the fourth coaching clinic the foundation has put on.

The first was Broadley's clinic last December which involved 64 youth coaches taking part in nine hours of practical and classroom sessions.

The second was last February when renown French coach, Jacques Crevoisier, conducted two days of clinics.

Local coaches and Bermuda's Under-20 national team players were exposed to Crevoisier's vast experience including 10 hours of classroom and practical sessions. Crevoisier focused on the French Youth Football Model and zonal systems of play.

And in March the foundation brought in Dr. Tudor O. Bompa for two days of clinics.

Dr. Bompa provided 15 youth coaches, athletic trainers and exercise physiologist with lectures and practical sessions on the physical development of youth players using periodisation training methodology.

Calderon said most coaches in Bermuda want to enhance their coaching ability "but in the absence of a comprehensive on-island youth coaching education programme, this can only be achieved off island at great expense and disruption to their work and family commitments".

And he also pointed out that the clubs do not have the funds to send their coaches away on courses. He said: "There are 2,000 boys and girls involved in youth football on the the island and their are over 120 youth coaches who offer their services for a minimum of seven months per year and on average, three times per week. We feel that by exposing the coaches to a high level of coaching education on a consistent basis it will create a more confident, focused and structured coach, enabling each to deliver more creative, informative and productive sessions and in turn should lead to a more interested, dedicated and disciplined player. And that can only be beneficial to the community as a whole.

"In the end, the BFF's hope is that we will return to the days when dozens of our young men secured college and university football scholarships on a yearly basis and returned to Bermuda to become productive members of our society."

The Bermuda Football Association will be conducting a 'Coever Coaching Course' to take place on Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The course will be conducted by Charlie Cooke, former Chelsea star, and Brett Mosen, former coach of the Toronto Links of the USSF "A" League. Forms for the course can be picked up at the BFA office and must be returned by today.