Bermuda's Under-23 team will get a training boost this summer as the squad gets to test itself against USL Division 2 opponents.
When teams come to the island to play the Bermuda Hogges, almost all of them will also play Bermuda's Under-23 in a match a day later. The Hogges' games are scheduled for the National Sports Centre while the Under-23s will play at BFA Gym field.
The Hogges will open their season on the road against Crystal Palace Baltimore on April 24 and then play again the next night versus Real Maryland Monarchs.
Following that they get a five game home stand for the month of May with the Harrisburg City Islanders on May 1.
Training
The team will begin training at the end of February.
Both head coach Kyle Lightbourne and assistant coach Paul Scope said the team is looking to finish the season with a .500 record.
Scope said: "We haven't had a team get to .500, and hopefully that will happen this year, but that shows the standard is good. It means that we had to improve to get anywhere close and we'll have to improve to be competitive."
Lightbourne said: "For the Hogges we're always trying to improve the players. We're definitely going to have to try to get to that mid-table. Last year we came off the bottom. We're going to have a couple of new faces and we're going to have a smaller squad."
There probably won't be any franchise players this year after releasing Stevie Astwood and Damon Ming from their contracts. All the rest of the original Hogges were on two-year contracts, which has also expired.
"Our biggest problem for the last two years is having a settled side away from home," Lightbourne said. "We're hoping this year is to have a settled side away from home in that everyone is committed to travelling."
Benefit
Lightbourne added a benefit of having the Under-23s play against USL 2 sides is "It gives the Bermuda Hogges a chance to see if the guys can make the step up and there is also the possibility for the guys to go overseas and getting an opportunity. It's a win-win situation for everyone. In a sense it acts as sort of a reserve league."
Scope said: "We enjoy a cross benefit as the BFA get the Under-23s playing some quality opposition."
BFA Technical Director Derek Broadley reiterated that Under-23 players who are in college are not allowed to play for the Hogges because of NCAA eligibility rules, but now would get a chance to play against a higher standard.
"If they are in college, they can not play for the Hogges, then they have a place to play in Bermuda."
He added: "We'll take another step forward this year and I think, with what's going on behind the scenes, their promotion up through the leagues over time will be much more consistent. Next year they could potentially have four or five boys who have played in the league without playing in the league - that puts them forward again. That's a win-win for everybody.
Broadley said: "If the Hogges have a good programme going and some success, then the long-term benefit for the young players then have some place to aspire to - before college and when they come back. Yes, they all want to go overseas and play, but there also has to be something here on the island."
