Soccer cousins Keith and Jemieko Jennings are just a few neat passes away from joining the ranks of Bermuda's overseas professionals after impressing in trials in Canada.

The pair spent time with the Hamilton Thunder of the Canadian Professional Soccer League earlier this year and are set to be given the once over again when the side arrive in Bermuda for a tour next month.

The Jennings pair were among a group of five North Village players who made the trek, the others being Domico Coddington, Zane Hendrickson and Daniel Jennings, but it was the two cousins who caught the eye.

The Ontario-based Thunder will be in Bermuda between May 7 and 12 following an invitation from Bermuda Football Association and its general secretary David Sabir.

The plan is for the Canadians to play two games during their stay, one against the Bermuda Olympic squad and the other against reigning League and FA Cup champions Village. The latter match is pencilled in for a week tomorrow, although a venue has yet to be decided on.

The news has yet to be released by the BFA, but Thunder officials were more than happy to talk about what they believe is an exciting, and potentially rewarding, venture.

"We are bringing hopefully 20 players with us," said club administrator Megan Davren yesterday. "It is right before the start of our season so, for us, it's a great opportunity to play some high calibre soccer against good teams."

The Thunder only came into existence last season and finished a creditable third in their league. Since then there have been a lot of changes at the club, not least of which is a new man at the helm in former English professional Duncan Wilde, who also acts as Manchester United's North American scout.

"Our team is pretty much brand new this season. We have new coaches, new international players, a new squad that hasn't really had the chance to play together as of yet," said Davren. "We got outside for the first time this week, up until now we have been indoors. We just need to get out and play some games."

The official said she hoped this was the start of a flourishing link-up between the BFA and the Thunder.

"We are hoping to start a relationship with the Bermuda Football Association and hopefully reciprocate next year and bring them here," she said.

If the Jennings' impress next week that would certainly help.

"The coaches were impressed with them and wanted to bring them back for another trial but then it came about that we are going there (Bermuda) instead," said Davren. "They are going to use that week to look at them again for a second trial and then possibly work something out afterwards with regards to taking them or not.

"When they came here it was during our indoor season, it was too cold to play outside. The indoor fields are a lot different, a lot smaller, and I think the coaches want the chance to see them on a big outdoor field. That will help in their decision, they haven't seen them play in a proper game as of yet."

The Thunder side have a strong international flavour with a Chilean, two Brazilians and several Englishmen, including a former West Ham United player, among their ranks.

Davren believes joining those players would greatly benefit the Jennings' should they be taken on.

"Soccer is growing at the professional level and as far as kids go it's the most played sport by children here," said Davren. "We are hoping to make a lot of European contacts and aim to use our club as a stepping stone to bigger and better things for our players.

"Professional soccer in Canada isn't as big as other places but that's where we are hoping to head towards."