'Why I regret not learning away from soccer'

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28: This week’s column has been inspired by the Bermuda 100 initiative.

This is a great initiative of learning and grasping knowledge, which surrounds education, business, community, sports and the entertainment worlds.

It gives me great pleasure to write about this experience and how much clearer the pathways are,when one allows change in their lives to happen.

But I have to start off by apologizing. Why? I have to humble myself and raise my hand high and admit that I did not take advantage of the greatest tool that was available to me for many years and that was the tool of education.

I have been schooled and now am sitting in the front of the class.

To make sure you understand my apology, I am not saying that I would have changed my path, but I am saying when I chose the path of soccer over education, I should have understood the effects of not pursuing education would have on my career.

I have no regrets for my choice of soccer, just regrets of not continuing to learn more on careers outside of being a professional athlete or a community role model.

It should have been my duty to learn more and give young people a greater message with a balance of education, sports and business.

This would help show how it helps with the sustainability of their goals they are looking to achieve outside their sport.

As a professional athlete and coach I was focused on the game on the field and the game of life.

But I had a blindness towards education and business values whendelivering my messages of empowerment to young people and this was not acceptable.

I have come to realize that I have a greater job to do and a greater responsibility.

I have to broaden my learning skills in teaching our young people the importance of education and business.

It is more than just telling them ‘get good grades and you will get a good job’. That’s not enough information coming from someone they trust and expect to guide them towards success.

As we all know that with the success of an athlete comes a greater responsibility. We have a strong voice and must deliver a message that is clear and precise.

Now I am here in the present and teaching — not just the skills for my sport — but preparing and teaching my young people leadership skills for the 21st century business and social world.

As I see it our voices as successful athletes or coaches will help with change in our community and country, but only if we are able to educate ourselves more on what other tools our young athletes need to be successful in these times.

We need to send a greater message to our young student athletes when they enter our pathways.

Let us make sure we understand that the power of knowledge will give you greater power, the power of change will give you greater effect on the community and the power belief will give you greater hope.

Until next time!