Coaches from Barclays Premier League side Chelsea will visit the Island to run the rule over young players at the Digicel Kick Start Programme next month.

The initiative, which is in its second year in Bermuda, will run from May 9 to 11 and involves Chelsea’s coaches visiting the Caribbean and Central American region in search of talent.

Thousands of aspiring young footballers from across 14 countries will try out for their chance to travel to the Digicel/Chelsea FC Academy in Barbados and train under top coaches from Chelsea.

“Last year’s event was a huge success and proved a fantastic opportunity for youth football in Bermuda,” Wayne Caines, the CEO of Digicel Bermuda, said. “Not only will our Island’s young, aspiring footballers have the opportunity to learn from professionals in the sport, but a joint training session will see our local coaches taken through the very latest in training and coaching techniques used by Chelsea youth teams and then applied during day two of the clinic.”

Additionally, for the first time in the programme, the coaches from the Chelsea FC Foundation are introducing a girls’ coaching session.

To ensure that Bermuda’s top footballers are well represented, Digicel have reached out to local high schools and the Bermuda Football Association for nominations.

Candidates must be under the age of 16 years and must have been born between 1998 and 2000.

Those registered will partake in pre-sessions scheduled to kick off this Sunday and led by coach Kevin Johnston of BAA Wanderers.

BAA coaches will assess all confirmed footballers and select a maximum of 30 to participate in an intense two-day clinic with Chelsea coaches beginning on May 9.

Chelsea’s coaches will select three athletes to join their regional counterparts in Barbados in October.

“BAA is once again delighted to be partnering with Digicel in this regard,” John Doran, the president of BAA, said.

For more information related to the Digicel Kick Start Programme visit www.digicelfootball.com.

To register an under-16 footballer or coach e-mail info.bermuda@digicelgroup.com.