Dear Sir,

Let me say I always enjoy reading Shaun Goater's column in your sports section, he talks straight and 'does not pull his punches'.

In last Friday's column he made clear players who do not pull their weight or fail to meet high standards would be chopped from the (Hogges) roster mid-campaign.

He went on to say, "This is a professional environment and if people don't perform you have to let them go – that's just the way of the world. Next week we will meet each player and let them know exactly what we think of them and what we expect from them. Each player will know if he's someone we're looking to build the team around or hanging by a thread."

It appears that sportsmen of both cricket and football are being challenged to raise their game.

Last month national cricket coach Gus Logie stressed that players must take more responsibility for their personal development and show "passion and pride" when representing their country.

Of course both Goater and Logie are correct. In order for Bermuda teams to be successful in either sport the players themselves must do all in their power to meet the high standards required.

Fitness is important as well as commitment for optimum performance.

However there is another aspect to a successful side that should be taken into account and that is the role of the coach. He must of course be respected by his players but also have the coaching and motivational skills to take his charges to the next level.

I remember a German chap by the name of Burkhard Ziese who became our technical director. I don't ever recall his complaining about his players publicly he simply put a squad together and got on with the job.

From a coaching perspective he did a marvellous job. Bermuda's Under-23s defeated Canada and stunned Jamaica in Kingston and if it wasn't for the 'Miami Seven' incident who knows to what heights our football would have ascended.

With respect to the Hogges in particular I hope the owners are applying the same standards and expectations of the coaching staff as they are the players.

I would now like to publicly challenge Hogges owners Paul Scope, Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne to do the right thing and invite Mr. Kenny Thompson to join the Hogges coaching staff.

I await your response Mr. Goater!

RECMAN