Youngsters hoping to combine football skills with further education have spent this week impressing coaches attending the Bermuda’s Brazilian Football School’s (BBFS) third annual College Prep School Festival.Held at the National Sports Centre, the showcase saw eight US, Canadian and UK college and professional academy coaches run the rule over local male and female players.The aim of the event was to provide pathways into further education for local players and make US college scouts aware of the Island’s talent.According to Brett Mosen, head coach at McMaster University and PDL side Hamilton FC, there is a wealth of talent on the Island.“There is a good base of players here at the camp, it may not be as concentrated in terms of the talent as previous years, but the hunger and willingness to learn in this camp is overwhelmingly high,” said Mosen.“What is necessary for the younger players is to get the right attitude towards the sport at an early age.“Not every player is exceptional, that is something that has to be acknowledged, but those who put in the work and are willing to learn will go a long way and this group of players, boys and girls, have a real hunger to absorb everything we are trying to put across to them.”The festival saw nearly 100 pre-selected players from Bermuda’s middle and senior schools given first-hand information on topics ranging from preparing for college admissions, SAT exam requirements and applying for athletic scholarships.BBFS executive director Cal Blankendal is also delighted with the effort displayed by the young players.“The athletes here were given the chance by their respective schools and it is pleasing to see the enthusiasm and willingness to learn they are showing,” he said.“The objective is to get them to understand what is needed to excel both on the playing field and in their social lives.”The BBFS invited local schools to send their best student athletes to the showcase. Schools participating included Clearwater Middle School, Dellwood Middle School, Sandys Middle School, TN Tatem Middle School, Whitney Institute Middle School, Saltus Grammer School, Warwick Academy, CedarBridge Academy, and Berkeley Institute. Coaches attending the event, included Becky Burleigh (University of Florida), Joe Pereira (Old Dominion University), Richie Grant (University of Memphis), Martin Dell (Sidwell Friends School), Tosh Lane (Appleby College, Canada), Carl Griffiths (Former pro at Portsmouth and Manchester City/Academy youth player scout) and Steve Portway (UK non-league coach and youth player scout).