Bermuda technical director Derek Broadley believes the Bermuda Under-23 squad will form the bulk of the national team for the next World Cup qualifiers.

As part of a partnership with Bermuda Hogges, the Under-23s will play up to seven matches against USL-D2 opposition over the coming months – with Broadley challenging the Island's top youngsters to force their way into the newly set-up national academy.

"It's understandable that after a World Cup qualifying campaign we should turn our focus to the Under-23 players," said Broadley, who will oversee the series of matches along with youth director Devarr Boyles and Dandy Town coach Scott Morton.

"These players will be approaching their peak the next time a World Cup comes around and should form the bulk of the national team."

More than 20 players turned out at BFA Field for training on Tuesday night with Broadley pleased with the response the Under-23 programme has garnered.

"We've been training for a few weeks and at first attendances were a little low but it's really picked up over the last few weeks," he said.

"Obviously there are a few players who we would like to see be involved and the door is still open for them to join us.

"These matches will be a good test for our players and it should be a good experience in terms of their development.

"We're also expecting Crystal Palace Baltimore to bring an Under-15 and under-17 team to the Island, so we'll look to put on a mini-festival."

Youth director Devarr Boyles stressed that the quality of the Under-23's performances would be of paramount importance and was looking for players to demonstrate their leadership skills.

"The focus for us will be in the quality of our performances and not whether we win or lose," he said.

"We want to see the players put into practice the things we have worked on in training."

Broadley is also expecting full international Reggie Lambe, who is set to sign professional terms for Ipswich Town, to play a part in the Under-23s games later this summer.