Ross Weatherstone, the founder of the International Development Football Academy in England, has been on the lookout for more Bermuda talent.

Weatherstone, who is also the head coach of English non-League side Binfield, was in Bermuda last week to run his eyes over some of the island’s budding footballers and watched Bermuda beat Anguilla 3-1 in the Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Qualifier. The coach also witnessed the Premier Division fixture between Dandy Town and Devonshire Colts at Goose Gosling Field.

“The purpose of my visit was to look at the Bermuda Under-17 players,” Weatherstone told The Royal Gazette.

“I wanted to assess where they are from a football and academic point of view. The idea was to see if the pathway and opportunities that I have at IDA is something they would like to be part of in the next phase of their educational and football life.

“What happens after I identify the player is that I go through the relevant departments at the Bermuda Football Association. I express my interest, develop some conversations and try to convince the player and the parents that the pathway we have is the way to go.

“I strongly believe that the best possible opportunity for a lot of these talented Bermudian footballers going into the professional game is the pathway that we’re presenting.

“The ones that are in the professional system, they are already there and established. My objective is to focus on the ones that are not with other academies.

“From my experience coming to the island over the years, sometimes these very talented footballers have a good foundation. However, they get lost once they finish their schooling from the age of 18 to 20.”

Established in 2020, Weatherstone’s Reading-based academy has Bermudians Reese Jones Jr, Razhir Smith-Jones, Remy Coddington, Brighton Morrison, Coleridge Fubler, Nkenge Durham, Malachi Henry, Daquio Stewart, Aaron Gardiner, Isaiah Blankendal, Dietrich Simmons, Jakeylo Burgess, and sibling Riley and Jaidyn Robinson on their books.

Most of those players are also furthering their education with Loughborough College. A dozen are playing semi-professional football for Binfield, with others turning out for Bracknell Town and Sandhurst Town.

“We have at least 21 different nationalities represented in the academy with Bermuda being one of them,” the former Oxford United defender said.

“There’s the football and academic element to our programme and from a schooling point of view, we offer high school and tertiary education to those interested.

“I believe in one plan for every student-athlete that incorporates education, employment and football. In that way, whatever happens when they exit, they will go away with certificates in education and a fantastic football experience.

“In the past 12 months, the student athletes at our academy have had the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of professional teams, players and coaches. These were Premier League teams such as Arsenal, Bournemouth and Southampton, Championship side Oxford United, and League One teams Reading and Stevenage Borough.

“From the opportunities to train and play against professional clubs and having the opportunity to play semi-professional football with Binfield, two players have signed contracts at Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe Wanderers”

One of the IDA’s success stories is Smith-Jones, the top-scoring Bermudian in any foreign league this season. The 24-year-old has netted 16 times and provided three assists for Binfield in all competitions, and stands a chance of being called up for Bermuda’s Gold Cup preliminary-round matches against Honduras next month.

The forward, a former youth player at Queens Park Rangers, has credited Weatherstone for resuscitating his career.

“It gave me the opportunity to return to England after Covid and get my football back on track alongside my studies,” Smith-Jones said.

“The programme provides a platform for players to govern themselves and become full-time student athletes with training every day and games weekly. The opportunity is what you make of it.

“They aren’t offering a guarantee to become a professional footballer or guarantee to get a degree. That’s all down to the individual and how you manage the opportunity that’s being presented.

“There is a lot of independence so what you do with your time is critical to ensure you are working towards your goals to improve as a footballer and a student, but also as a young man which is most important.”

Jones, the winner of the Binfield Moment of the Month in January for dedicating his first goal for the club to Weatherstone, acknowledged the difference being part of the academy has made to his career.

“Being a part of the IDA definitely instituted a form of routine and regime that emulates that of a professional academy,’’ the Bermuda defender said.

“Having this environment has helped me with being consistent and independent in my work on and off the pitch from when I arrived when I was 20.”

Weatherstone is pleased with the progress being made and is keen to highlight the success of a number of young players.

“Razhir has now scored 16 goals and won player of the month for January,” he said.

“He is enjoying his football and that’s the most important thing. If you’re happy and enjoying what you’re doing, you’ll perform better.

“I also look at Reese Jones Jr who is part of the national squad. He’s come back after Christmas and been unbelievable. If he does get called up to the national team, he’ll help Bermuda a lot.

“Riley Robinson has been magnificent and CJ Fubler, the goalkeeper, has been one of the standout players.

“Another Bermudian doing really well is Brighton Morrison, who played for the national under-20 team last year. He’s playing for Sandhurst and recently scored for his club in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South.

“Remy Coddington has played for Binfield, Bracknell and Sandhurst this season. That is the strength of our academy as we’re not restricted when it comes to first-team football. Our players can play for any team and it’s not a conflict because they are in different leagues.”