A Bermuda national team will not enter the CAC Games or Digicel Caribbean Cup this summer if either conflict with the Bermuda Hogges' season.

Bermuda Football Association (BFA) have made it clear that Hogges' debut season in the Premier Development League (PDL) is the top priority and any international competition which overlaps will have to "take a back seat".

Privately, the BFA are extremely confident the Hogges can be very competitive in the PDL and believe the 16-game, two month campaign will be more beneficial for the Island's best under-23 players at this stage of their development.

The CACs will almost certainly be a 'non-starter' as the Hogges campaign will be underway when the regional championships starts on July 17, while it is understood senior international players have already been told it is unlikely a national team will take part in the Digicel Cup.

BFA technical director, Derek Broadley, said: "We haven't been given clarifying dates from Digicel, so once we get them . . . As for the CACs, I gather those dates conflict with the Hogges season.

"We're fully committed to the Hogges programme and anything that conflicts will sort of have to take a back seat."

The BFA are due to name Hogges' coach for the upcoming season later this week with Under-23 national team boss Scott Morton likely to be a frontrunner, considering an overwhelming majoriy of the Hogges' squad will be aged 23 and under.

Hogges co-owner Shaun Goater has thrown his hat into the ring but despite his impressive season at league leaders North Village, it is believed the BFA will opt for someone already working within the national academy.

Back in January Goater told The Royal Gazette: "We are still having discussions . . . but my preference is to be (Hogges) coach. I want to go as far in coaching as I can but need to educate myself and learn more about the role," Goater said. "Dialogue still needs take place before the right decision for the club is made."

Broadley, himself, is likely to have a hands on coaching role having gained plenty of PDL experience during his time as head coach of Pennsylvania-based outfit, Reading Rage.

Hogges gave the BFA full control over coaching and player selection following a joint decision to enter the team in the PDL in December of last year.

Paul Scope, team secretary, will continue to play a big role within the franchise but it remains unclear as to how much involvement his fellow co-owners Goater and Kyle Lightbourne will have in the day-to-day running of the club.

Up first for the Hogges are Major League Soccer (MLS) feeder team Reading United, previously known as Reading Rage, on May 28 and 30 at the National Sports Centre.

The PDL is currently the top level amateur competition in the United States, and has 68 teams competing in four conferences, split into eight regional divisions.

PDL rules dictate that a maximum of eight players on each team's 26-man roster can be over 23 years-old, while at least three players on each team's roster must be 18 or younger.

Hogges will play in the Eastern Conference Mid Atlantic Division.