John Barry Nusum is adamant there is cause for optimism surrounding the men’s national football team as he focuses on creating a pathway for talented youngsters to emerge.

Nusum has been added to new head coach Michael Findlay’s backroom staff during a time of transition after the end of Kyle Lightbourne’s tenure.

Findlay has already alluded to a desire to “freshen up” his side, while also revealing he has already cast an eye over a number of young players with the prospect of including them in the senior set-up.

While it remains to be seen just how much change will be evident within Findlay’s first squad, which will be announced on Friday in advance of the Nations League campaign starting against French Guiana on September 8, Nusum is well aware of the importance of enabling young players to make the step up.

“With any period of transition there comes a time when you have to look at younger players to fill the shoes of some of the older players,” said Nusum, who believes his experience as a coach of Bermuda’s youth teams proved pivotal in his appointment.

“We have a bit of a gap between the senior players and then a crop of talented youngsters that are coming through. That’s why it is crucial that we bridge that gap in terms of experience help some of the younger players come through to create some continuity.

“If we can do that, then you not only help younger players gain experience, but you also hope they will then push the senior players and create some competition which raises the level of everyone.

“We have to help create a space for those players to grow and improve and hopefully I can help to create an opportunity for more young players that may not have been there before.

“My past experience with the younger teams was a major part of me being selected as an assistant coach. I already have that connection to the younger generation of players and myself and Michael have already had discussions regarding the type of players that we should be looking to push on.

“It can take some time and may not happen overnight, but it is crucial that we try and create a space where the young players can grow and develop because I feel there is a exciting group coming through and that’s great for the future of the team.”

At the forefront of the emerging talent aiming to establish themselves within the senior squad are Deniche Hill, Sincere Hall and Harry Twite.

All three have already shown encouraging signs at full international level, catching the eye despite Bermuda going down to a 2-0 defeat by Guyana in the previous Concacaf Nations League campaign in March.

With Hill and Hall making steady progress within the under-23 sides of Leicester City and Hull City respectively, and Twite signing for Vanarama National League North outfit King’s Lynn Town, Nusum feels the future is bright.

“They are definitely among that exciting group that are coming through,” added Nusum, who reinforced the need to help create a route for young players to establish themselves in the senior squad.

“A lot of my career both as a coach, but also a physical education teacher has been about the development of young people and seeing those three progressing is a great.

“I think all three had an impact against Guyana and for a lot of the crowd, who may not have known a lot about them, it would have been a real eye-opener.

“We have to keep giving them that type of experience because young players don’t seem top be phased, they have that don’t-care attitude to express themselves, which is really exciting.

“We need to keep pushing those younger players through and help give them that experience. If we can help them help them to grown and they in turn apply themselves, I’m in no doubt they will become very good players and Bermuda will be better for it.”

• The kick-off time for Bermuda’s Nations League encounter against French Guiana on September 8, has been changed from 7.30pm to 5pm because of delays in the readiness of the stadium lights at Flora Duffy Stadium