Casey Castle, the Hamilton Parish midfielder, will be among those looking to impress scouts at the Soccerviza Auburndale Florida Combine in Orlando in March.

Soccerviza is a organisation which selects stand out players from college from university levels.

Scouts from professional European and North American clubs, such as Portuguese giants Benfica and Kansas City of the MLS, will run the rule over participants during the trials to be held between March 2 and 4.

Castle, who took part in Bermuda’s two-day training camp last week in preparation for their World Cup qualifying first-round match against Bahamas in March, got the opportunity to attend through a collaboration involving Jorge Campos, the former Mexico goalkeeper.

It is a chance the 23-year-old intends to grasp with both hands.

“I choose to go to university instead of pursuing a profession in football, which has always been in the back of my mind,” Castle, the son of Jack Castle, the former PHC defender and coach Jack Castle.

“I’ve had a great four years of playing at a high level in college, and my coaches have told me that I have what it takes to continue playing and make a career out of the game.

“I learned a lot from going university; it taught me to discipline and management.

“I took the long way around, and I would encourage young Bermudians to go college first. Expose yourself to a higher level of football and also get your education, then try to get an opportunity to play at the next level.”

Castle is optimistic about his chances of securing a professional deal.

“I’m very optimistic that I can secure a contract,” the University of Indianapolis graduate said. “But I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I just want to keep my feet planted and go there and perform to the best of my ability.”

Castle has gone the extra mile in personal training to enhance his chances.

“I have prepared myself really well by jogging three to five miles three-times a week and going to the gym every day,” said the former PHC player.

“I’m also doing little things such as ladders and ball work.”

The combine will rule Castle out of Parish’s crucial league fixtures with Dandy Town, the defending champions, and Robin Hood. Parish are top of the league.

“I will miss two important matches in March,” he said. “But I believe that Parish have the depth, quality and the desire to win with or without me.

“Parish have a type of unity that I have only felt playing for them and my university team. We have an attitude to win and also the right coaches like in Kieshon Smith, Phillip Burgess and Earnest “Joe” Lathan.

“The players attitudes are unreal when it comes to football. We have players that don’t even play but they are there supporting the team vocally.

“We have players like Shayne Hollis, Chris Caisey, Ijahmon Mallory, Nigel Burgess and Coolidge Durham in the team. They are the definition of true leaders.”