It's not just a tour...it's an adventure! Bermuda's Under-16 soccer squad set out today for a trip that promises an experience most players merely dream of, with stops in England, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, where the youngsters will both compete and get to watch top flight matches and training methods.

And with the all the various cultures these countries present, the 21-member outfit will be left with memories for a lifetime.

Tottenham Hotspur, Bayer Leverkusen, Ajax and FC Twente stand as some of the brand name professional clubs the young players will encounter and coach Kenny Thompson is stressing that his charges look, learn and understand.

The Bermuda team will, in fact, play matches against youth sides representing Tottenham, Bayer and FC Twente, while at Ajax they will witness the top Dutch side take on Fortuna Sittard.

"They are getting the opportunity that very few other players throughout the world in their age group get,'' said Thompson prior to the team's departure for London.

"Not anyone can play against Tottenham Hotspur and not anyone can play against Bayer Leverkusen and FC Twente. We are very fortunate, through the contact that we have, to arrange these sorts of matches.

"So the main thing for our young players is to, personally, find out for themselves what they can do and make the most of this opportunity and find out where we need to go.

"If there are weaknesses, then we can work on those weaknesses. If we find that we are on par or better then fine, but the main thing is to seize the opportunity.'' Thompson said the tour was part of Bermuda's preparation ahead of November's Under-17 World Cup qualification tournament in Cayman Islands, where they will be grouped alongside CONCACAF rivals US Virgin Islands, Cuba and the host nation.

And with matches against several leading European youth outfits with varying styles of play, Thompson values the level of match practice they will receive.

"This tour is basically a training camp,'' said the coach, who has taken teams on similar ventures previously.

"What we wanted to do was, basically, play against very strong opponents in a good environment, and going to Europe will give us that opportunity, since we play teams such as Tottenham, Bayer Leverkusen and FC Twente.

"The aim is to go up against very strong teams, and if we can do well and the teams in CONCACAF are not up to scratch as they are in Europe then we could possibly go a long way in the CONCACAF region.

"However, the reality is that some of the teams in CONCACAF are strong, if not stronger than the teams we are going to play. You have Mexico, the United States, Costa Rica and teams like that... "With this tour we want to get an accurate assessment of our strengths and weaknesses, and we can only do that if we're playing against quality opponents.'' Still, as mentioned, there will be an educational side to matters, as players will come into contact with people from different countries, having different cultures and varying outlooks on life.

"The cultural development opportunity is fantastic. Most of our players probably travel mainly to the US and if you've been to New York, Atlanta, D.C., they are basically the same.

"In Europe things are much different. There's a lot more culture, a lot more history right before your eyes and a different way of life for the citizens over there.

"So they interact with these people and they learn and see and it opens their eyes wide to how life is different in Europe as opposed to Bermuda and the US.

It's always a good thing to expand one's horizons.

"And through football you're able to provide this opportunity, because, let's face it, how many of these boys -- if not for a trip such as this -- would get on a plane and go to London, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands for a trip.

"So the cultural development opportunity is one also that they have to enbrace.'' Bermuda squad: Goalkeepers -- Jason Williams, Fred Hall, Calvin Augustus.

Defenders -- Jacqui Simons, Jonathan Smith, Chris Moulder, Karl Parfitt, Jonathan Ball, Joshua Butterfield.

Midfielders -- Shannon DeShield, Dion Stovell, Jason Davis, Vashun Blanchette, Russ Ford Jr.

Forwards -- Takeyhi Walker, Damon Swan, Domico Coddington, Jahnai Raynor, Roydon Brangman, Tori Russell, Ryan Nesbitt.

Officials -- Kenny Thompson (coach), Bobby Moulder (equipment manager), Shannon Morrissey (assistant coach/manager), Cal Smith (executive member).

Kenny Thompson: `They are getting the opportunity that very few other players in the world in their age group get'.