generation and the ones to come, coach Kenny Thompson has declared.

Although they failed to make it through to the next round of the Under-17 World Cup Qualifying Tournament, the team lit up the Island with a display of determination, maturity and sportsmanship.

Thousands flocked to the National Sports Centre in Prospect when Bermuda turned out against Barbados, the Netherlands Antilles and Jamaica.

They won the first two games 3-0 and 4-0 and needed only a draw against the Reggae Boyz to earn a place in the next phase.

However, despite a brave performance they crashed 4-2 to the more physical and clinical Caribbean team.

Coach Thompson said while the powers that be in Government and within the Bermuda Football Association had a duty to ensure they built on what had been achieved last week, he said the players also had to shoulder some of the responsibility. "I have told them they are definitely the football leaders and an example of the type of things that can be accomplished,'' he said.

"They have captivated the entire country like no other team has done before.

"They have achieved a lot and as I have said before these are small steps. We cannot expect to accomplish everything immediately. But what we are doing is taking the necessary steps to build on.

"With these experiences these boys will be better footballers and better people.'' Thompson went on: "They have a huge responsibility. That responsibility is to continue to be the example for the young people behind them.

"I have told them before they have to be at some point at a higher level than I am. The boys that are younger than they are have to be better than they are.

Each successive group and each generation has to be better than the previous one.

"That can only be accomplished with positive examples. So the responsibility for them now is huge as athletes and as people.

"They must carry themselves in a way that is positive for all those that aspire to be where they are.''