Devonshire Cougars will fly the flag for Bermuda in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2010.

Cougar's participation in the competition was confirmed by Bermuda Football Association General Secretary David Sabir at last night's BFA Awards ceremony at the National Sports Centre.

"It is with great pleasure that the BFA announces that Devonshire Cougars will be the Island's representative in the 2010 CONCACAF Champions League," said Sabir.

And if the Premier Division Champions have their way respected coach John Rebello could be at the helm when they take their first foray into international football.

Rebello's name has been linked with the job at the Den in recent days, with the Cougars board believed to have expressed an interest in the former Vasco de Gama and Boulevard coach.

Last night's announcement however will increase the pressure on Cougars to make sure they get the right man for the job, a label that could quite easily be applied to Rebello, who has won every major honour in domestic football in Bermuda.

The coach's name is synonymous with success having taken the now defunct Vasco to multiple league and cup honours in the 1990s, including the coveted 'triple crown' during the 1997-98 season. More recently he was the coach at Boulevard, until he stepped down at the end of the 2007-08 campaign.

While the news is certainly a boost to Cougars, long-serving defender Omar Butterfield sounded a note caution alongside his delight at the decision.

"I'm glad that they are finally going through with it, because last time they promised it and it didn't happen," he said. "Let's just make sure it happens so we can go out and represent the Island."

And Butterfield is less concerned with the on-going hunt for a new coach, and more with getting his team-mates ready for the challenge that lies ahead.

"The coaching situation is out of the picture because the player's know what we have to do," said Butterfield, "we've done it for years, and we have even started a few seasons recently without a coach. Now we have just got to give a little more so that we can be competitive when we go away."

Rebello's is not the only high-profile name to have been linked with the job.

Earlier this month it was revealed that current Blazers coach, Andrew Bascome, had been in talks with Cougars over a possible return to a club he coached to their maiden Premier Division championship in –2004-05.

The UEFA B Licensed coach is said to be involved in a pay dispute with Blazers, who he led to a first FA Cup crown in 12 years last April, and has considered making a move elsewhere.

However his future remains uncertain with Bascome and Boulevard president, Stephen Proctor, not returning calls yesterday.

Last night was a good night for Cougars who also walked away with five end of season awards, with Tumani Steede winning the prestigious Young Player of the Year award, and out-going coach Devarr Boyles named Coach of the Year.

Top honours however went to Dandy Town Hornets striker Raymond Beach who won the coveted Player of the Year award after he bagged an impressive –27 goals in all competitions.

And Jenay Edness made it a one-two for the club as the Dandy Stars player was named Female Player of the Year.

Other awards went to Hamilton Parish goalkeeper Nigel Burgess who led the way in his category for the second year running with Sharifa Crockwell claiming the Female Goalkeeper of the Year prize.

And Boulevard Blazers' Ajani Gibbons had his talents recognised as he was named Defender of the Year. Ebonie Burgess, of Lady Cougars, was named the female winner in that catergory.

For the officials, Colin Richardson was named Referee of the Year, and Oscar Andrade, Most Improved Referee.