Having an opinion is what I would like to chat about this week.

I've been asked many a question and I've answered all with my own opinion and some who may listen walk away feeling that I've no right to say what I did, but they need to understand this is my opinion so do not take it personal.

I say this because I've been asked what I think about the game of football in Bermuda.

Well I have an opinion and, yes, I will share it with you this week.

The game has been in a growth period for a long time in Bermuda but what has been missing with some of the programmes is vision, substance and unity.

Now many may argue about my opinion, but if your programme is moving forward from having some of these tools and are thinking outside the box then this column is not about you.

Vision – The power or sense of sight, imagination or unusually keen perception.

This is one of the biggest areas that some have lacked in the game today. With the high percentage of young players playing the game it's important we think way beyond what is in front of us. Let's not fall behind like we have done for the past 25 years.

Many years we've seen other countries develop, we've seen them start professional teams, pro leagues, or have combined good structure to bring their football groups together.

Having the vision to think and move outside the box has been a major factor in the development of sports today.

We are in 2009 and we're just understanding the importance of moving to a semi or a professional environment and amazingly some people still get defensive because they say players never got it before, so why now.

But the same people who complain will be the first to send their players overseas to try and play pro, so I ask why not in our own country?

This is one of the thought processes that has kept us behind countries like USA, Trinidad and Jamaica who have seen the rewards of giving players an incentive to play. Before you go crazy and think about paying money and where the funds would come from, let's think professional conduct, appearance of players going to games, professional atmosphere at games.

The players today in Bermuda are looking for more, but we tend to sit back still thinking that we are not far off. Well I will tell you that we are further than what you may think when it comes to thinking outside the box.

The vision of some has only got us to the front door and while some are moving in the right direction, others have no idea on where things should go in the game today. We must understand for my young people to have hope we must have vision.

Substance – Solid quality or the essential part.

This is an area that has been disregarded in many programmes that help develop the game. We are in a place right now where whatever we do in sports affects life as well. Our young people are looking for a safe place and the parents trust us to build it.

It's not just about coaches knowing the game but understanding how the game could change a person, help the community, be a place for rehab for some and change lives.

Today's coaches and programmes have to be developing to deal with all walks of life and be able to hold the attention of all personalities.

If a player gets into fights in training or games due to his/her temper from having problems at home or school, what does your programme offer?

Do you kick him/her out? Or does your programme have a social and educational area that would help this behaviour.

I've seen many players left out of programmes because the programme only seems to cater to the ones who have the discipline

All players show up with their own personality from dominant, influential, steadiness and compliance, so teaching the coaches and players how to deal with each of them is important.

Before the ball rolls, we must know and understand the mentally of all our players that enters the room, this should be our first priority.

Unity - The state of being united; oneness or agreement.

This area is easy, but we find it tough to fulfill it in the game. We sometimes get caught up between who has the better programme or club.

No matter if one group is developing 20 players or 100 players, we shouldn't think that the group helping 20 is not doing enough.

We must think that 120 players are being developed all together. If one club/ programme finds success doing things one way and one another way, as long as they are going in same direction then great.

See, although we may travel to a game on Sunday differently, no matter what we all get there. If you want your team to play together and work together then we must also do the same in the community, sport, workplace and family.

Here is my quote for you today: "Life is too short to worry but long enough to leave a mark."

Until next time!