Bermuda's Under-23 national team have emerged as the top priority in Bermuda Football Association's (BFA) road map, president Richard Calderon revealed yesterday.

By 2014 Calderon envisages Bermuda having a realistic chance of qualifying for the Olympic Games, Pan-Am Games and winning a medal at the CAC Games – and is adamant the BFA's attention must focus on players aged 23 and under.

The long-term plan to achieve those ambitious goals has already begun with the BFA forging a partnership with Bermuda Hogges that will facilitate the grooming of tomorrow's Shaun Goaters and Kyle Lightbournes.

Next summer Bermuda Under-23s will play up to ten friendly matches against United Soccer League (USL-D2) teams at home – with the BFA offsetting some of the Hogges' costs in the process. In return the Hogges will be unable to include Under-23 players in their roster.

"It's far cheaper for us to play against USL opposition whenever teams come to the Island to take on Bermuda Hogges," said Calderon, who officially introduced the BFA's strategic plan yesterday.

"To play the same level of competition outside the country would quadruple our costs and we will mitigate some of the Hogges' costs in return. We have an agreement in principal with eight of the ten USL-D2 clubs who will bring a squad of around 20 players to the Island. We believe our Under-23 players are the future and the beauty of this agreement is that it will expose those players to quality opposition without impacting upon Bermuda Hogges' schedule."

Calderon said the Hogges would by "de facto" become the national team but did not believe the Hogges and senior national side coach had to be the same man – as is the case with the Puerto Rico national team and USL-D1 franchise, Puerto Rico Islanders.

"I'm not convinced one way or the other," said Calderon, who said he had a Bermuda Under-23 coach in mind. "It's not something I'm opposed to but the jury is still out as far as I'm concerned."

Bermuda will not be entering an Under-23 team in this year's Island Games in Aland, with Calderon keen to align the BFA closer with North America in terms of player development.

"North America is where the colleges and scholarships are. The USA are the best team in the region and it's easy for us to reach. We already have a good relationship with National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)," he said.

"By having players compete against USL-D2 teams as well as playing in the Professional Development League (PDL) and Super Y-League they will gain more exposure to coaches from the MLS.

Calderon added that technical director Derek Broadley was putting the finishing touches to plans to re-structure the domestic leagues.

"Derek has been the driving force behind much of this. We are looking to completely restructure our leagues from the youth level and upwards."