Former Olympic sprinter Troy Douglas is coming home after several years in Holland to become head coach of the Bermuda track and Field Association.BTFA president Donna Watson confirmed yesterday at a press conference that Douglas, had been appointed to the post in a non-paying capacity, though she is hopeful funding will be secured in order to make the position a paid one.Three persons applied for the position, including jumping coach Brian Wellman, but Douglas was deemed the best candidate and was offered the position at the end of July.“The delay in the announcement was due to the fact that his contract with the Netherlands Athletics Federation would not be complete until the end of August,” Watson explained. Douglas will return to Bermuda on September 23 and officially take up the post on October 1.“You may say from what you know of Troy, he has been a coach of sprints and relays but the knowledge that he has of how to develop a successful track and field programme will assist with how we can grow and develop our programme which is what we are looking for at this stage,” said the president.The association was moved to appoint a full-time after the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) mandated that member federations develop a coaching structure in order to remain in good standing with the governing body and to be eligible for any benefits and annual grants.“The board decided that our first step would be to bring on a head coach and then determine the coaching structure utilising the coaches currently involved in the programme,” said Watson. “The position was advertised to all of our affiliates, three persons applied, we interviewed them and selected the individual who we felt met our criteria.”And despite it not being a paid position - initially - Douglas was still keen to take up the position, said Watson.“This position was advertised as a volunteer position as with everyone we are feeling the economic pinch, but as we move along we are hoping that it can turn into a financial position,” said the president. “This, to us, really shows that the persons who applied really have the interest of our youth at heart.”Some of the qualities the BTFA were looking for in the successful candidate included knowledge of the sport, international experience as an athlete and as a coach, international contact at university or professional level, contacts with sponsors and to be respected in Bermuda and overseas.“Of course the passion for the sport of track and field is a must, (they must be) a good communicator, a good ambassador for the sport, a good visionary and have the experience to mentor the coaches we currently have in the programme,” said the president. “For us Troy Douglas met all of the criteria mentioned above.”Watson considers Douglas’ appointment as an excellent one...a Bermudian with an outstanding reputation overseas who was ready to come home and eager to give back.“The board was pleasantly surprised when we received the application from Troy as we did not know he was ready to come back home to Bermuda,” said Watson.“Troy and I started conversations about two years ago at the World Championships in Berlin, discussing how we can move Bermuda’s track and field programme to the next level. He has assisted me in various ways ever since. He has given me a lot of advice and he was responsible for introducing me to Tony Lester who coached Tre Houston and the ASICS representative who has sponsored our uniforms over the last few years.“He has been my sounding board when I have had to think through some initiatives. The respect that Troy has from international coaches, administrators and presidents from other countries is amazing. There are not too many world class coaches who do not know Troy. There are many who even go to him for advice, especially regarding sprints and relays and sometimes just seeking advice on how to make their programme better.”Added Watson: The board agreed wholeheartedly that we wanted this position to be held by a Bermudian. Yes, we had a few overseas coaches who were interested in this position but we felt we had the expertise on Island and they would truly have our athletes and our country’s best interest at heart to take us to the next level.”