Bermuda Football Association (BFA) have drawn up a comprehensive action plan to reverse the decline of local football after identifying its major pitfalls.

A draft copy of the BFA's strategic plan, obtained by The Royal Gazette, admits Bermuda is "not very competitive" at any level of football and points to the poor record of the national team, the lack of success of Bermuda Hogges, insufficient skill of Bermudian coaches and difficulty placing players in leading US collegiate programmes as confirmation of their demise.

Other explanations for the game's stagnation are highlighted such as the "unmistakable deterioration" in the quality of domestic play.

As part of their far-reaching recovery programme, the BFA have vowed to return Bermuda football to its glory days by developing a "uniquely Bermudian style of play" and have set themselves an ambitious goal of qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games.

By 2014 they want at least four players plying their trade with Major League Soccer (MLS) or European clubs and will look to re-enter the CONCACAF Club Championship – a competition in which Premier Division powerhouse PHC reached the quarter-finals in the 1980s.

The report reads: "At one time Bermuda football was considered a football power in the Caribbean region.

"Bermuda's national team could compete with CONCACAF'S best, its domestic league boasted vibrant clubs and high quality competition, and its youth and citizens looked to football proudly as Bermuda's national pastime.

"Currently, Bermuda is simply not very competitive in football at any level . . . the competitiveness of Bermuda football for men and boys has declined at all levels from the national team to entry-level youth leagues."

Since winning the BFA's presidential election in September, Richard Calderon has remained tight-lipped on the content of his manifesto but The Royal Gazette can reveal technical director Derek Broadley has performed an in-depth investigation into why local football is failing.

The report continues: "The BFA technical director has developed a concise analysis of the major weaknesses in Bermuda's player development, including lack of integrated planning across age cohorts, insufficient skill among Bermudian coaches, training practices that do not meet international standards, and lack of partnership with educational partners, families, foreign organisations."

While the national team enjoyed a courageous victory over Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean during last year's World Cup qualifiers they followed up with an embarrassing showing in the Digicel Caribbean Cup, crashing out in the first round.

Developing a uniquely Bermudian style of play has emerged as a top priority as the BFA look to build a new generation of technically superior players.

"With assistance from top football minds at home and abroad we should blend out own experience with best practices from globally competitive nations like Spain and France to create a Bermuda specific style of play that best fits the local physical/psychological make-up," reads the strategic plan.

"This style will maximise benefit from our competitive advantages and minimise vulnerability from our competitive disadvantages.

"The result should produce Bermuda football players and teams who consistently perform at or above their expected level in domestic and international competition."

Encouragingly for professional outfit Bermuda Hogges and domestic clubs, the report states that the BFA aim to address conflicts for players regarding national team and club commitments.

It also concedes scheduling conflicts with cricket and other sports have not been well managed.