The Commercial League is officially no more.

At a Bermuda Football Association semi-annual congress meeting on Monday night, Premier and First Division clubs voted to fully adopt technical director Derek Broadley's vision for the future of football in Bermuda, which in part called for the Commercial League to be scrapped.

Of the full member clubs, only one, BAA, voted against the proposals, and there was one abstention.

As it stands, from next season, there will be an expanded ten-team Premier Division, a nine-team First Division, with a Development League replacing the already defunct Reserve Division.

Broadley's plan is intended to improve the standard of football in Bermuda, with an integrated structure that begins with the under-sevens, and runs right through to the senior team.

With resources on the Island already stretched to breaking point, the plan was also designed to prioritise where those resources – referees, pitches, etc – would be best used.

Under that plan the Commercial League is to be replaced by an over-30s Masters League of approximately ten teams.

It had been anticipated that Commercial League teams would be allowed to enter that league, however it is understood that Premier and First Division clubs also want to join.

At the meeting on Monday night it was suggested that the full member clubs be given first refusal on places in an over-30s league.

Some, such as North Village and Dandy Town already run teams in the Commercial League, but with the rest also looking to join the future for established clubs such as Tuff Dogs and Lobster Pot appears bleak.

According to a BFA insider the idea is to have fewer overall clubs, but more full members.

For those clubs that are not already full members, the choices appear to be either apply for full member status, link up with another club, or create an independent Sunday league.

Those that are successful in applying for full member status would then have two options, the Masters League, or bidding to be included in the First Division.

The BFA have previously indicated that they would be willing to accept applications from clubs to join the First Division and it seems likely that the top two Commercial League sides, Robin Hood and MR Onions, will go down that route.

"We're open to going into the First Division," said Robin Hood boss Paul Scope. "We think we could compete well in that league.

"We may have to change a few players here and there, but it's a well run club and I'm sure it could develop into a full affiliate of the BFA if we are so blessed and accepted by the rest of the clubs.

"We definitely feel there is a future for the Robin Hood club."

Scope is in an interesting position. On the one hand he is a member of Robin Hood, and on the other, the co-owner of Bermuda Hogges, the Island's only semi-professional team and one that would undoubtedly benefit from a focus on youth and development.

"The proposals are undoubtedly a good thing," he said. "Obviously everyone knows I am connected with the Robin Hood, and the Commercial League, but speaking as a proponent of development of football in Bermuda and what's good for Bermuda football as a whole, I think Derek's plan is excellent.

"I think maybe it needs massaging to try to keep all people happy, but I don't think that's Derek's job.

"I think his job is to develop football overall, and he probably has to prioritise, and I think he's prioritising on youth and development as well as the senior team, and I think his plan does a good job of addressing that.

"It also links in to developing quality players, playing on quality surfaces, with one broad coaching tenant.

"They will probably be players that will be more ready to come into the Hogges as they come through the Development League, and maybe go away to college and come back, so by the time they are 23 they will be seasoned players with the skills that they need to play at the professional level.

"Unfortunately for me, and a few other old geezers, the Commercial League seems to be the one that's caught in the vice.

"Whilst I'll support initiatives to look for alternatives for the Commercial League teams, with my Hogges hat on, I think Derek's plan is good for the game."