Former Devonshire Cougars coach Devarr Boyles is almost certain to lead the defending champions into their maiden CFU Club Championships qualifiers in St. Vincent next week.

Boyles has already begun preparing the squad for their trio of matches in the 'Breadfruit Isle' where they will face host side Avenues United, Leo Victor, of Surinam, and Trinidad powerhouse Joe Public.

Cougars qualified for the CFU Club Championship by winning the Premier Division title under Boyles last season, who then left the club to become Bermuda Football Association's (BFA) youth director.

"It looks like I will be involved with Cougars at the CFU Championships," Boyles said.

"I've held a meeting with the players and coaching staff and took a training session prior to their FA Cup win against North Village.

"So, by all indications it's leaning towards me being there but I just need to sort out a few things. I have to sort out the business part to protect both my interests and Cougars' interests.

"If we can match the two then I can't see why I won't be there. I'm ticketed to go."

Boyles, who returned to the Cougars bench for their defeat against Trinidad Under-23s in December, is no stranger to foreign competition.

During his time with Dandy Town he took the team on a tour of the United States where they played MLS side's LA Galaxy and Chivas USA.

He said it was important for domestic coaches and players to become enriched by overseas experiences.

"When I joined Cougars I told them I wanted them to become a travel club," he said. "If, by the second season they weren't a travel club then I wasn't interested – that was before the BFA decided to enter the title winners into the CFA Club Championships.

"I think most teams in Bermuda should aspire to become a travel club. Coaches and players need to be enriched with different experiences.

"Certainly the association should play their part, but if they don't the clubs need to take their education into their own hands."

Cougars will travel to the Caribbean with an 18-man squad including overseas-based defender Darius Cox.

Back in the 1980s, PHC Zebras side took Bermuda football to dizzying heights by reaching the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Club Championships.

The CFU Championships are a preliminary stage of the Concacaf Club Championships.

Devonshire Cougars CFU Championship Cup schedule

v Avenues United - March 16

v Leo Victor - March 18

v Joe Public - March 20