Where now for Commercial footballers?

By James Whittaker
The Bermuda Football Association confirmed this week that it plans to scrap the Commercial Division.
BFA Technical director Derek Broadley has described the league as ‘selfish’ saying that it drains resources — fields, referees, players — that are badly needed at the top end of the game.
Other than a ten-team league for over-30s there is, apparently, no room in the new structure for recreational or pub footballers. That leaves 12 teams — the likes of MR Onions, Robin Hood and Lobster Pot — in the cold. The BFA clearly hopes the most talented players in the Commercial league will try out for teams in the First or Premier Division increasing competition for places and improving the overall standard.
The players they replace, along with the rest of the Commercial Division, will have to find their home in an expanded Breakfast League or form a breakaway division without support from the BFA. There’s an outside chance that the Association could expand the First Division, but it seems highly unlikely that they would admit more than one extra team.
So will the change have the desired effect and improve the standard of Bermudian football or will it, as MR Onions coach Phil Anderson suggests, simply leave 200 plus lads with a passion for football but nowhere to play?

Comments

[Derek Stapely]

I understand where the BFA and Derek Broadley are coming from and something fairly drastic needs to be done. The total BFA plan is a step in the right direction. I think the proposal could be improved with consultation and a bit more dialogue.
The Commercial Division over the last 10 years is one of the few divisions that has improved in quality rather than dropped in quality. That's evidenced in that any one of the top four, five or six Commercial teams can really take on and compete on equal terms - if not beat - the majority of the First Division teams.
I'm not convinced that an over-30s division is the way to go.
I think that isolates a bunch of people over 23 but under 29. This won't give them a place a play and I don't see them returning when they are 30 to play in the over 30s league.
I don't think a breakaway league is in anyone's interest. I don't think that's a good direction unless there is no other alternative.
I'm delighted to see there is an emphasis on improved coaching.
I'd like to see the BFA go to three divisions - Premier, First and Second - with relegation and promotion up and down the three divisions. That would simplify things a bit.
I'd leave the Sunday Breakfast League alone.
I applaud those individuals who come out and referee and there are some great referees out there; but there are some others who need more experience. I think they would benefit from a more structured approach: more coaching, more feedback to help raise the standard of the game. As the quality of officiating improves, the amount of respect they get will improve and the overall game will improve.

[sparxx]

I wonder if the resources used in the Commercial league will be placed in the youth leagues for which there have been little support from the BFA for years. If you are U11 and lower you will note the lack of proper facilities and officials for these divisions.... heck they don't even keep track of results!

Not that I don't feel for the players in the commercial league, I just don't see what they bring to Bermuda football other than recreation for those who take part. They get better service than the kids do and for what??? What makes their league more important than the developmental leagues of kids playing soccer every Saturday morning??? I'd much rather see kids playing with proper officials and on proper pitches rather than on school fields that are used for everything else (i.e. Harrington Sound, Gilbert and Elliott School fields) like track and field and cricket.

[Phil Anderson]

I agree with the idea of developing Youth Football, and of course resources should be priority for that area of the game. However I do not feel that Youth Football has suffered as I direct impact of the existence of the Commercial League. Commercial Team's such as Lobster Pot, MR Onions, Tuff Dogs etc have to pay fees to their respective grounds in order to play, and I am sure that those Grounds, such as BAA, White Hill and St David's do not choose Commercial Football over Youth Football. In terms of Referees, unfortunately referees are always going to be a scarce resource, no matter what happens. I would not imagine that the BFA decide to allocate Referees to Commercial games ahead of Youth, and therefore I again disagree with the idea of Commercial League Football being a drain on the BFA.

The emphasis should be to improve the Youth by utilising all available resources, such a Government Grants, Schools and the local football clubs. Premiership and Division One players should be more active in their respective clubs and assist in youth development, e.g. hold Skill classes each weekend, referee, etc. This could be on a rotation basis, so that each player can accommodate a few hours a month. The ISL for example have been very good in this area, and I think that there is still a lot more room for such activities in order to develop youth football.

Football is a passion no matter what age you are, and those that play, regardless of what level or age should be given the opportunity, therefore I am certainly against the abandonment of the Commercial League in its current form.

[Saleem Mukuddem]

I may be long gone and enjoying a fab cricket season back in sunny old cape town but I have been asked by my former team mates to comment on the new BFA structure. I did see something about this on a website the other day.

Why the change I ask. Football is to a large extent a recreational sport in Bermuda...just ask all the guys who play premier league who refuse to take pee tests because of their other recreational activities. Changing the structure is Not going to all of a sudden produce better footballers. I am willing to put my neck on the line and say that Bermuda Will Never qualify for a football world cup which would be the ultimate prize for any international team. So why the change? To beat Trinidad , USA etc . Let's get real it is never going to happen. The administrators have too much time and get paid too much and have to be seen to do something drastic or radical to get results. You can get results by getting better players. No matter what system you introduce if you have the same lazy and arrogant players the results will always be the same. Take all of the talented Bermudian footballers and let them play off island. There are many talented footballers who play in the commercial league and their are many rivalries including some mouth watering classic duels involving Lobster Pot, MR Onions, Robin Hood, Tuff Dogs etc. What are these guys going to have to do on a Saturday afternoon in winter? All I can see is that the fields are still going to be available and the teams will play on their own outside the jurisdiction of the BFA. I see that the BFA football administrators took a leaf out of their cricketing brethren ...too much government money and no brains. Wherever there is a will there is a way. Commercial league football will continue to be played with or without the BFA approval. Power to the people ...Amandla !!!

[Pepper4ever]

Look, the BFA should be about the development of football, namely our youth. If guys want to play recreation football, fine, go ahead, but it doesn't need to be organized by the BFA.

[wildrover]

It is interesting that people are referring to the commercial League as being 'recreational'. This may be partly true in the Commercial 'B' division but the 'A' division is fiercly competitive and of a standard that is equal or above many first division games. Surely in these days of inactivity we should be encouraging all people to participate in sports. I assume that when the BFA requested their large grants from government that this was based on the numbers of people that they are 'poviding service' to. Does this mean that they will now be asking for a reduced budget as they are now going to be less inclusive than originally stated?

[Commercial League Player and Volunteer Coach]

The history of the leaugue is that is was started as a place to play for players who had retired from Premier or First division footbal. And there was always a policy that stated that the players should be over 35 (this was altered approximately 4years ago).

The reason "commercial" teams were allowed into the leauge was because the then BFA administration thought that would help to build a relationship that would see those "commercial" entities donate money to the BFA. That never materialised.

The excuse that the commercial players cant commit to training is an out right lie when you can stop at their training grounds and watch some of the teams train 2 nights a week! I have read numerous comments that the likes of MR Onions etc can compete with teams in the 1st division well I say now is your chance and why havent you applied to join the first division?

Food for thought: The English FA does not organise matches for Pelsall Villa vs Lye Town or have the top referee in the country referee the game and the match certainly isnt played at any of the Premier Division grounds in the area like Aston Villa.

So my sugestion is to the players under 30 who dont want to play Premier or 1st Division football, volunteer their services and organise their own league.And if you are organised enough aply to the BFA for a support grant.

[sparxx]

I have a few follow up points/responses to some of the posts that have followed my original one.

1) Mr. Anderson - I'm sure Commercial football is not to blame for the problems suffered by youth football. I only highlighted a few of the issues. I'm not sure if you have been to an U11 and below game, but there are worlds of issues happening there. More dedicated support from the BFA is needed and if we must sacrifice in some way to get it, let it be in the leagues that do not really require those resources. Oh... and the BFA does allocate referees to do commercial games ahead of youth games. That's the plain truth. The BFA doesn't even keep standings or scores of any league below U13.

2) Mr. Mukeddem - I am appalled by your post. That you give us so little chance in any fashion just goes to show you how little you care about the development of our youth. You can believe what you want, but don't disrespect those players who have a dream.

Changing the structure is EXACTLY what is needed. If we want to get rid of the "lazy and arrogant players", we need to start by developing the right attitudes and work ethics in our YOUTH leagues! The problems we face are the same faced in countries with lesser resources, yet they do great work. If Trinidad can do it... SO CAN WE!

If the BFA had any interest in youth football, they could properly schedule games to be played on all club fields with little disruption to ANY level.

Mr. Mukeddem, I understand you have played cricket at the highest level for Bermuda and you are entitled to your opinion, but please do not discredit those kids who genuinely want to succeed at footballs highest levels. I'd much rather go out and watch a bunch of under 7's 9's and 11's playing on a Saturday than a bunch of players who have had their day.

Finally wildrover - show me the results of "A" level commercial football. If they are that good, where are their results when placed against top level (in Bermuda) competition. Is there ANY silverware in the commercial league coffers?

[Saleem Mukuddem]

Mr Sparxx. i am a realist and I do believe in having dreams as well. Please do not get me wrong ...development, support and encouragement of youth in sport is of the utmost importance for ANY sport but not at the expense of turning people (no matter what age) away from that particular sport. Why can development of youth football not co-exist with the commercial league. Why is the ones success dependent on the others demise. As a former player in the commercial league I enjoyed the competitive nature of our matches (even if I only attended practices occasionally or when worked allowed) and I could care less who came to watch. Mr Sparxx, playing cricket for Bermuda at the highest level alongside many Bermudian men and youth has given me insight from an expats perspective into the Bermudian male psyche. Both from a players and an administrators perspective. The system is part of the problem but the culture that exists is the other. Changing the structure of the league is not going to fix it. I agree with you in that you have to change the attitude and behaviour of your sportsmen and women. But do you really think by removing the commercial league everything is going to be ok? Cricket has a commercial league but you did not see the BCB try to disband it because they thought it was the reason that the men senior team sucks. So, Mr Sparxx go and watch the under 7's, under 9's or the under 11's on a Saturday morning as they will cherish the support they receive from you as long as you are supportive and offer them only praise for their efforts. Bermuda's youth need positive male role models. After watching them go home and spend some quality time with your family and leave the commercial footballers to play their games in the afternoon. PS If Bermuda ever make it to the Football world cup I will print this article and "eat" my words.

[Commercial League Player and Volunteer Coach]

A little information for you Mr. Mukuddem.
1.The BCB doesn't organize the Comercial Cricket league.

2. There are other international competitions that Bermuda enter. Carribean Cup, Pam Am Games, Island Games and the Olympics.

[sparxx]

Mr Mukuddem, it is not my intention or desire to do away with the commercial league. I have seen more than enough commercial league soccer in my day and know that if it administered itself properly without assistance from the BFA it could still succeed. It is my intention, as it should be with everyone involved in sport to ensure that attention and resources are applied in the places that need them most. I do apologize if the Commercial League does NOT fit at the top of the list!

In addressing the need for change, in order for a culture to adapt properly, a proper system MUST be in place. Without a definitive structure no organization can prosper, and it is unfortunate that in soccer and cricket too much attention has been paid to the top end without much or any consideration for the lower end. You do not build a house roof first. You need a strong and reinforced foundation that only can happen at the bottom level. We have far too many "broken" slates at the top level to make a difference now.

Our problems exist because of the lack of true leadership at all levels. We can not make men out of 20-30- and 40 year old babies. Change MUST occur in all aspects of life, in the home at school, in the workplace and in the club. It is imperative that the change happens in all areas, and yes, if that means the BFA "re-focus" their energies from the top end... then so be it.

I do not want anyone to think that it is necessary to do away with the Commercial league. I have a lot of friends that enjoy and compete in that league, and to that end, all that is truly required is leadership. I hate to say it, but if you need the BFA then you are in very sad shape!

As for the BCB... are you aware of the status of the BCB's youth division? While it has made SOME efforts to begin youth development leagues in recent years, it has a LONG way to go... I wonder how much of that big money government deal they received went into a proper youth program... check it out! It doesn't even come close to the numbers of kids that play soccer and even baseball!

Last but not least, I take offense to you telling me what I should do on my Saturdays. Anyone who knows me, understands what I sacrifice to raise two kids in our society, and that I will continue to do so without reservation. Telling my kids that they can't make the world cup of anything is garbage... all their dreams can come true if they are taught a proper respect for the game and a proper work ethic as well.

Our future world cup players are in the U7, U9 and U11 leagues Mr. Mukuddem and how dare you say they aren't!!!

[Pepper4ever]

I've thought about this some more since my first comment. I know a lot of Commercial teams use Shelly Bay, the same as our youth, but I'm not sure how much them not playing on it will improve the fields. They're not great, but I can't see them being made that much better by no football on them. Plus the Breakfast League uses it - so switching the Commercial teams over the Breakfast League won't actually decrease the number of games on Shelly Bay.
I do like the increased emphasis on youth. We really need positive experiences for them.

[Commercial League Player and Volunteer Coach]

Rumour has it that the commercial players have already met and are going to form their own league with promises of sponsorship money already pledged