Quadir Maynard is determined to prove he can hold his own against Europe's top young players when West Ham and Saint-Etienne meet Bermuda in the Clyde Best Invitational Tournament.

The Boulevard winger is one of three overage players drafted into Bermuda's national academy squad for the annual under-15 tournament, held at the National Sports Centre this week.

For the 16-year-old, it represents a chance to put himself in the 'shop-window' and possibly win a trial at either club if he impresses sufficiently.

"I am really looking forward to playing these teams." said Maynard.

"If you do good you never know what could happen, you could end up getting a tryout for West Ham or Saint-Etienne."

Overage players Rico Wells, of Dandy Town, Somerset Eagles' Rakeem DeShields and Maynard have all showed glimpses of promise in the Premier Division this season.

And Maynard believes the trio's extra top-flight experience will be valuable in helping their younger team-mates compete against two of Europe's most respected academies.

"I am aware that I am one of the more experienced players in this group and I have to do my bit to help carry the team," he said.

"Myself, Rico (Wells) and Rakeem (DeShields) all play for our teams in the Premier Division and we must show our leadership qualities as we are used to playing in competitive matches.

"It has been my first season playing in the Premier Division with Boulevard and I am reasonably happy with how I have done, although the team has not been doing so well."

Maynard has vowed to make the most of his opportunity having been too old to play in last year's tournament which saw French side FC Sochaux and MLS team Colorado Rapids visit the Island.

"I have been involved with the national programme since I was 13 and have played all over the world in places like Switzerland, Brazil and the United States," he said.

"I was too old to play in the Clyde Best Tournament last season so it is great to get the chance this time around."

National academy youth director Devarr Boyles said the three overage players were brought into the fold because five overseas-based under-15 players were unavailable.

"Tre Ming and Zeiko Lewis have come back from college to play in the tournament, but another five players from this group were unable to make it," said the former Devonshire Cougars coach.

"As a result, we have added three players to the squad from the age group above."

Boyles said preparations for this year's tournament had been far better than 12 months ago.

"I think the national academy has grown since last year," he said.

"We only had three weeks to prepare last time around, whereas most of the players involved have been training regularly with us for some time now.

"We are always looking to build more games into our programme and the Clyde Best Invitational Tournament provides us with matches against top opposition.

"They will offer us a good barometer of where we are in comparison to two established youth academies."

Two Bermuda teams will take part in the tournament which starts on Friday with Bermuda Red playing Bermuda Grey, at –5 p.m., and West Ham v St Etienne at 7 p.m..