Bermuda Football Association (BFA) technical director, Derek Broadley, officially launched the Island's preparations for next month's Clyde Best Invitational Youth Football Tournament at the association's FIFA-funded training base at Gym Field on Saturday.

Some 30 enthusiastic youth footballers "unofficially" christened the BFA's new $1.3 million artificial training facility during a practice session designed to flush out the Island's top players at the Under-15 level.

Assisting Broadley were local coaches Mark Wade, Richard Todd and Scott Morton and BFA administrator Vance Brown.

The ex-Crystal Palace youth academy director has scheduled another practice session at Gym Field this Saturday when he will be assisted by coaches Andrew Bascome and Dennis Brown.

Broadley is presently reviewing and assessing all applicants for the BFA's vacant youth director and national coach positions.

"Obviously this gives me a chance to look at some coaches working.

"And next week I am going to look at some other coaches," he said.

Though generally satisfied by Saturday's turn-out at Gym Field, Broadley hopes to see numbers increase this weekend as the Island's preparations for next month's Clyde Best Invitational shift into high gear.

"I did ask all of the clubs to nominate their better players. But there were a few clubs that didn't send kids and so we will have to explore what was the case – whether or not it was a communication issue or whatever," he said.

"I thought the attendance was very good and there were a lot of people up there, which I thought was very nice as well. We had 30 boys and the sessions went well. This was the first time we have done this, and the standard was high."

It is understood that Bermuda will be represented by two Under-15 teams in this year's Best Invitational which will see a US Olympic Development squad as well as other overseas teams participate in what has quickly blossomed into one of the biggest events on the annual youth football calendar.

"There is certainly a good level of ability on this Island and what we are looking to do is get it all together and organised for international competition," added Broadley.

Saturday marked the first time a football had been kicked on the Government land that was leased to the BFA for a 50-year period nearly four years' ago.

"I asked the kids did they like the new facility and they all said yes," said Broadley. "It is a fantastic surface which will take a bit of time to settle down. But once we get playing on it regularly it will get even better."