Providing the Island’s young players with pathways into further education is arguably the National Academy’s most important responsibility, according Bermuda Football Association’s (BFA) Academy director Richard Todd.

Helping a player obtain a scholarship to a top North American college might not be quite as thrilling as unearthing the next Nahki Wells or Shaun Goater, but for Todd it’s an equally worthwhile part of his job.

“A lot of our kids dream about being professional players but for the majority of them it’s more about using their football talent as a means to gain further education,” said Todd.

“We do hope to find the next Nahki Wells, the next Shaun Goater, but football also helps a lot of these kids get off the Island to attend college, develop a world view, and come back productive citizens.

“Providing an educational pathway for our players is of extreme importance to the National Academy.”

This week coaches from the IMG Academy in Florida, Northern Kentucky University, and Darlington School, Georgia, have been on the Island running the rule over the BFA’s Academy male and female players.

The majority of those coaches are already familiar with some of the Island’s youngsters, having cast an eye over them during recent tours taken by National Academy sides.

Those trips had vital networking value for the BFA, said Todd, who revealed that several youngsters had been identified by the visiting coaches as players suitable for recruitment.

“The BFA are reaping the rewards and benefits of the travel programmes we initiated in the summer,” he said.

“We had coaches identify players during those trips and they have come to Bermuda to follow up on some of that interest this week.

“This is why we take our kids away, for the exposure and competition, but also the networking you develop with coaches and contacts, which can be invaluable for us in the future.”

Todd described this week’s Academy camp as a “win-win situation” for the BFA coaches, Academy players and college scouts.

He added: “The opportunity is there for the players to make an impression on the coaches. For the coaches, they are getting the opportunity to work with players first-hand and identify potential prospects”