Richard Todd, the Bermuda Football Association National Academy director, deemed the IMG Academy tour of the Island a huge success as the curtains came down on the spectacle yesterday.

The IMG Academy brought four teams to Bermuda for a weekend of matches, their Under-14 developmental side, Under-15 girls’ and boys’ teams as well as their Under-16 boys’ side.

They took on the Hamilton Parish Under-16 side, who won their Knockout Cup, United FC’s Under-14 side, who won their Knockout Cup, and Dandy Town’s Under-16 side.

The Bermuda National Academy’s Under-14 and Under-16 sides were also in action along with two local female select sides.

With a high level of competition in all three days of competition at the National Sports Centre’s North Field, Todd said he was pleased with the reception the event received and hopes to add more teams to next year’s event.

“It was a great few days for all those involved in the event,” Todd said.

“The IMG academy came down with a few of their teams as well as family and friends so the environment was conducive for fun and enjoyment for all. The foundation is there and we are already thinking about next year and how we can make it better and possibly bring a few more teams down here as well.

“It’s good for us in terms of giving us a measuring stick for our national programme and also good to get the clubs involved and playing against foreign opposition.

“I’m excited about the prospects of being able to provide this opportunity to the young players.”

Although playing quality overseas opposition is limited for the National Academy’s young players, Todd believes that playing against unfamiliar teams will further their development and help them learn how to adapt to different situations.

“It is very important to get these guys out in action against unknown quantities,” Todd said.

“The National Academy sides have just got back from playing overseas and are right back into the action.

“What we have done in the past two years is give them outlets to showcase their skills to people other than Bermudians.

“There are nothing but positives that can come out of this relationship, and hopefully it continues to provide a good backbone for not only Bermuda but also the IMG Academy.”

Yesterday’s action included the final four matches take place between the IMG sides and the Bermuda teams. In the match of the day, the BFA National Academy Under-14 side and the IMG Under-15 team could not be separated in a six-goal thriller.

Jaquari Paynter opened the scoring for Bermuda, but three unanswered goals from Max Bilas, Sebastian Derby, and Guillermo Noriega gave IMG a comfortable cushion. However, with time running out, Paynter grabbed his second goal of the match five minutes from time before T’ai Williams levelled things up moments later.

The BFA National Academy Under-16 side ran out 2-0 winners over the IMG Under-14 US Soccer Development Academy thanks to goals from Macquille Walker and Jason Symonds.

A BFA women’s side drew 1-1 with IMG’s Under-15 girls with an Aaliyah Nolan strike cancelled out Victoria Costa’s opener.

The BFA National Academy Under-15 side won their final match of the weekend over the IMG Under-16 select by a 2-0 scoreline, although it was a tense affair throughout.

Nathan Trott and Jahzarde Samuels scored three minutes apart in the dying stages of the match to push their side to the victory.

In Saturday’s matches, The National Academy Under-15 side lost to the IMG Under-14 US Developmental Academy side 3-2 thanks to a late Farris Abdi goal.

IMG took the lead through Michael Uezono, before the National Academy Select equalised through a Nathan Trott penalty.

Roalex Molina then scored to put IMG back in front before Knory Scott levelled the scores before Abdi’s 30 yard shot sealed the win.

Max Bilas scored a double for IMG’s Under-15 side as they ran out 3-1 winners over the Under-13-14 National Academy team.

Jaquari Paynter gave the home side the lead, before Bilas got his first.

The match remained level until a mistake in Bermuda’s defensive third gave Bilas his second goal.

Pushing for the equaliser, Bermuda conceded again when Arturo Martinez netted.

In the final match of the day, the National Academy Under-16 side beat the IMG Under-16 side 4-0.

Judah Chapman and Macquille Walker both scored before the break, while Travis Boyles and Zenawi Bowen added two more in the second half.