I think we're approaching an exciting time for Bermudian football. There's a lot of interesting projects up and running and developments ahead, which bodes well for our game's future.

The Island's first franchise football team, the Bermuda Hogges, has just finished its inaugural season and we've also had David Bascome's Island Soccer League.

Both these developments have offered domestic players a greater incentive to perform for their clubs and be part of a professional set-up.

With the Bermuda Football Association also looking to make appointments, such as the new director of football, and with the World Cup qualifers coming up I do believe it's an exciting time.

I think more youngsters are gradually coming back to the game and hopefully, in the not too distant future, we will have as many youngsters playing as there was when I was growing up.

For talented young Bermudian footballers there's so many opportunities available through the Bermuda Hogges and ISL to play at a higher level and maybe attract interest from overseas scouts.

Young guys have a lot to aim for now. Firstly a place in a Premier Division club, then if they impress they can get selected for the Bermuda Hogges or the ISL and from there other possibilites can arise.

The problem is there's so many other distractions out there these days and so at times I feel some guys don't develop because they start to believe they're better than they actually are.

That's dangerous because then they don't train so hard and start to think they've made it and that stunts their growth as footballers.

I think we need to get back to the mentaility of the Premier Division players when I was growing up. Everyone took pride in themselves, their equipment and their performances ¿ but without arrogance.

The Hogges players are all back at their respective clubs now and will be keen to show what they've learned from their experience in the USL-D2.

I expect each and every one of the players who figured for us to have an impact on the domestic league and raise the standard of the local game.

They'll have more pressure on them to perform this season and they will be under greater scrutiny on the pitch.

From the Hogges' point of view we really want them to maintain their standards and apply what they've learned to the domestic game.

Both myself and Paul Scope will be taking in games to not only monitor last season's Hogges' players, but also any other talented guys who are performing well.

Kyle Lightbourne will be coaching at PHC.

I really believe these players can make a mark in the USL-D2 and I can see us improving to the point I think both myself and Kyle Lightbourne will feature less and less next season.

I was pleased to hear the Hogges' players at Devonshire Cougars had a good start in the Charity Cup and I hope all the players play with pride and professionalism this season ¿ I'm sure they will.