similar to that played in South America.

That's the educated view of Brazilian coach Thadeau Gonsalves who was here last week for a week-long coaching course held for youths under-16 at Spice Valley School.

Somerset Trojans coach Andrew Bascome, who was responsible for bringing Gonsalves to Bermuda, said that the course was an overwhelming success with about 30 youngsters in both the under-16 and under-12 age groups turning out to participate.

But Bascome agreed that any future visits by coaches should be put on hold until Bermuda Director of Coaching Clyde Best was able to decide just what style of play Bermuda should follow.

"Gonsalves said that considering our player's bio structure, which was primarily a slim build, he wondered that with their speed and skills why didn't we adopt a more South American style of play where we could use the ball on the ground more,'' said Bascome.

"Since our players were not as big as the European players he questioned the use of the same approach they used in Europe when we were not as big and aggressive like the players in that region of the world.

"Looking at the size of our players he didn't think it suited us playing our present style. He felt we would be more successful if we concentrate on playing the ball on the ground more, that's where he thought our strength lied.'' An architect of that style when he was a player, Bascome has long tried to emphasise that format in the teams he has coached but with only limited success.

However, once Gonsalves indicated his views, Bascome took the necessary steps to have the Brazilian share some of his versions with Best during a dinner the trio arranged for Thursday night.

But it remains to be seen just how receptive Best will be to adopting the South American style, especially considering he himself was developed under the English and European style during almost a decade of playing in England.

Best may also find Gonsalves comments to be in sharp contrast to those of CONCACAF coach Marcos Falopa, also from Brazil, who just this summer disclosed that Bermuda should concentrate more on improving the skills of their players and not worrying about adopting the style of another country.

Bascome said that he agreed with Gonsalves views in many ways and therefore felt that it was important for some determination to be made as to what format Bermuda will adopt before other coaches are brought in.

"It doesn't make sense bringing in all of these coaches if we don't know where we are heading. By bringing in another Brazilian, and adopting a European style, that's going to be a conflict of interest, big time,'' said Bascome.

For this reason Bascome says that he would not rush and bring Gonsalves, the Technical Director of the Brazil and United States Soccer Academy, here before Best reaches a definitive conclusion one way or the other.

According to Bascome, he was satisfied that bringing Gonsalves here was a positive move for the further development of youth soccer in the Island.

"We were very pleased. We were able to get the kids involved. When the kids get a school break I would always hope to be able to put something on like this in the future, but we will have to wait and see what Best has planned,'' said Bascome.

"The clinic went very good. We basically divided the two groups, giving the older kids more technical work (formations and developing their first touch) and with the youngers ones we just dealt with basic skills, first touch, rhythm and coordination and using the outside of the foot.

"The coach was very impressed with the skill level of the kids at this early stage, and he was amazed by their speed. He was overly impressed with the skill levels and said that they were more advanced than the kids in the US.''