Paul Scope is urging the Bermuda Hogges contingent to apply their overseas experience to the domestic league and refrain from resting on their laurels – or run the risk of being dropped from next year's roster.

The Hogges co-owner missed Cougars mauling of Colts in the Charity Cup, but was delighted to learn Kwame Steede, Darius Cox and Raymond Beach all played starring roles in the convincing victory.

Not that he expected anything less from Hogges' trio, with the former Somerset Trojans' assistant calling for the rest of the Island's best to follow suit and raise the standard of local football this season.

"I wasn't able to get to the Charity Cup but I was pleased to hear our players performed well," said Scope (pictured). "Considering they've been playing at a higher level all summer we expected them to come back to domestic football and show a considerable improvement.

"We will be looking for all those involved with us to apply their extra experience and lessons learned over the summer to the local league and not allow their standards to drop.

"There was a little concern some players might return to their clubs and rest on their laurels a bit because they had played one season in the USL-D2. But the performances of the Kwame (Steede), Raymond (Beach) and Darius (Cox) on Saturday suggest that will not be the case.

"Raising the standard of Bermudian football was the reason Bermuda Hogges formed and I believe both the national team and domestic clubs will reap the rewards.

"I think a few clubs were a bit concerned about us taking their players at the end of the last domestic season, but a meeting allayed any fears."

Cougars' supremo Shawn Smith became the first coach to publicly praise the Hogges for developing those Big Cats' players selected by the franchise.

At the weekend he told The Royal Gazette he believed Steede's game had reached another level since his skipper's return, as well as noticing a maturing of striker Beach and fullback Cox.

Scope hopes to hear similar ringing endorsements when the league programme starts in earnest, and has announced both he and Hogges' president Shaun Goater will be scouting domestic matches all season.

Not only will the Hogges' hierarchy be checking if last season's players have sustained their standards, but also looking to unearth new talent to bolster their roster for next year.

"It was encouraging to read Shawn Smith's comments regarding the improvement he had noticed in his Hogges' players during the pre-season," added Scope.

"Hopefully the rest of the coaches will see the same improvement in those players who performed for the Hogges. I expect many domestic players will want to be part of us next term and experience the benefits of playing at a higher level – we encourage that desire.

"Obviously Kyle (Lightbourne) will harnessing his coaching skills at PHC, but myself and Shaun (Goater) will be attending plenty of games to not only to check up on last season's squad members, but also scout potential players.

"I won't be involved with Somerset Trojans in any official capacity this season. Although I'm a Somerset supporter, and will be available to give any advice, I have purposefully kept Sunday free to take in local matches.

"Although we expect the majority of last season's squad to be kept on there's no guarantees for anyone and the door is open for any player who impresses sufficiently and shows the attitude we're looking for. I imagine there could be as many as half a dozen new additions to next year's squad."

An end of season team meeting is to be held before the start of the domestic league where the Hogges' coaches and players will analyse their inaugural campaign as a franchise outfit. They will also be announcing their MVP for the USL-2 season, as well as presenting franchise striker Stevie Astwood with his USL-D2 Rookie of the Year award and accreditation for being selected in the league's All Star Team.