'You only sing when you're winning, you only sing when you're winning.'

It's a refrain often heard echoing around English football grounds on a Saturday afternoon.

And one, perhaps, that might be directed at Bermuda's politicians.

How predictable was it that Government representatives were falling over themselves to congratulate the national cricket team following their ICC Trophy success in Ireland last month, and then again this week after the same team's triumph at the Intercontinental Cup in Canada?

The players had barely stepped off the plane on Tuesday morning before being whipped down to Cabinet where again the country's leaders all clambered onto the bandwagon to offer their congratulations.

Trouble is, while they're all so quick to sing the team's praises during their moment of glory, we don't hear them singing too loudly throughout the rest of the year.

And it isn't just those in this Government, their predecessors showed similar traits.

For the longest time, sport has sat at the bottom of the totem pole on Government's list of priorities ? just look how long it's taken to build the National Sports Centre. Thirty years on and it's still under construction!

Most of those on the Hill seemingly only recognise the contribution our athletes make to this country when they see an opportunity to score political points. For the rest of the time, they couldn't care less.

Sports Minister Dale Butler might be an exception. He's certainly been supportive and genuinely concerned about most sports-related issues during his time in office, but the same can't be said for some of his colleagues.

Premier Alex Scott has pledged more money to help Bermuda Cricket Board in their build-up to the 2007 World Cup, and that's commendable, although no less than the team deserve.

Yet one wonders how much would have been given to the development of the game had the side not qualified, and how much will be directed towards Bermuda Football Association as they strive to take our other national sport to the same level in years to come.

Butler has repeatedly stressed the importance of all sports governing bodies taking responsibility of their own finances and not relying too heavily on Government hand-outs.

And while there's considerable merit to that kind of thinking, there's no doubt that both of our national sports and numerous others have suffered over the years through a lack of support from Government, both financial and otherwise.

Be it a team or an individual, victory on the international stage is predictably greeted with glitzy receptions and syrupy speeches. But for the rest of the time we don't hear a peep.

Bermuda's cricketers have exceeded all expectations this summer and deserved every plaudit that's come their way.

All of them are amateurs, most are family men with full-time jobs, and as such the sacrifices they've had to make have been enormous.

On the other hand, they wouldn't play unless they enjoyed the game, the rewards for representing their country have provided memories to last a lifetime and there's still so much to look forward to over the next two years.

But the feel-good-factor isn't just theirs, it's the whole country's.

It might be a bit far fetched to say they've lifted the spirit of a nation ? that chance will come in the West Indies in 2007 ? but they have made an awful lot of people aware of just what a small country like Bermuda can achieve in international sport.

If our politicians can appreciate that, they might also appreciate they can do a lot more when we aren't winning.

Sport plays an enormous role in this small society. And with the right support, there's the potential for many more to follow in cricket's footsteps.