Derek Broadley's departure following the end of his contract as Bermuda Football Association technical director raises more than a few questions.

He won't have been surprised by the BFA's decision not to renew that contract, but it's fair to say others might have been.

He was brought here not to coach a national team but to develop a youth programme and prepare the Under-20s and the Under 23s, who it was thought would enjoy more success than the seniors at the international level.

Whether he was able to orchestrate that success had yet to be determined.

The teams he's been preparing have yet to play a competitive match of any significance. Their real test was to come later this year as Bermuda take part in the qualifiers for both the Pan Am and Olympic Games.

It might have made more sense to assess Broadley on the outcome of those matches, but now he won't have chance to prove his worth.

Instead, the BFA have made the bizarre decision to employ a part-time overseas consultant, believed to be FIFA advisor Jacques Crevoisier, who will visit the Island just four times a year.

A reputable coach supported by the world's governing body, Crevoisier would arrive with impressive credentials.

But what can he possibly achieve when he has little or no time to work with players?

Despite his ability to impart useful information on how the game should be played, it's difficult to see how anyone could make a noticeable difference with such infrequent stays on the Island.

It's well known that Broadley and BFA president Richard Calderon don't see eye to eye and have hardly spoken in recent months.

What is particularly strange is that Calderon has announced his decision to let go of the former Crystal Palace academy director before stepping down as BFA chief at next month's Annual General Meeting.

Wouldn't it have been more reasonable to let his successor – former president Larry Mussenden is apparently among the candidates – make his choice as who should serve as TD? Mussenden was responsible for bringing Broadley to the Island back in 2008.

Broadley was well aware there was no guarantee his contract would be extended. Cricket coach Gus Logie was under the same impression but made the wise decision to step down long before a new deal was offered. Given his frustration over the national team's lack of success at both the World Cup and in every match since, that came as no surprise.

Broadley's leaving, however, comes as a result of his failure to impress local football's 'old school' some of whom still hold the misguided belief that they have the ability to lead.

Kenny Thompson and Gary Darrell apart, there are few who come to mind who could run the show.

Ultimately though, the lack of success at international level has always and will continue to be rooted in the simple fact that Bermuda just don't have enough talented players to make up a squad which can hold its own overseas, whether it be in the Caribbean, North America, Central America or South America, at any level.

There are some who could raise their game sufficiently, but not enough.

Bermuda Hogges – essentially Bermuda's national team – have demonstrated how difficult it is to compete on foreign soil.

Despite a herculean effort and the financial injection of Paul Scope, and the assistance of Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne, Hogges struggled in the USL Division Two and were just as disappointing when they dropped down to the less competitive PDL.

The players couldn't cut it – as simple as that.

What has been shown year after year is that collectively Bermuda's athletes achieve little success, whether it be in football, cricket, hockey and so many other team sports.

Bermuda's international reputation has been built on the achievements of individual athletes.

Boxer Clarence Hill won a bronze medal at the Montreal Olympics in 1976, high jumper Clarence Saunders collected gold at the Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand, and not long after Brian Wellman was crowned world indoor triple jump champion in Barcelona, Spain. Cyclist Elliott Hubbard also showed he could ride with the best.

Peter Bromby has established himself as one of the world's leading sailors, and may still snatch that elusive Olympic medal should he decide to travel to the 2012 London Games.

There are plenty of other individual sportsmen and women who have made their mark on the international stage, not least those still plying their trade – swimmer Kiera Aitken and triathletes Tyler Butterfield and Flora Duffy.

Millions of dollars have been ploughed into our two national sports but have reaped little reward. Money can't buy success, ask some of the world's top football teams.

The conclusion should have been reached by now that investment has to be made in individual athletes rather than those who play in teams.

Since Bermuda's national football team medalled at the Pan-Am Games in Winnipeg in the late '60s, a side including Clye Best, there's been little to shout about.

Broadley was always climbing a very steep mountain with little chance of reaching the summit.

It's unlikely his successor will fare any better.

– ADRIAN ROBSON