Four young footballers from Bermuda travelled to California last week to showcase their talent with Surf Select teams.

Vashon Martin, Xavier Hidalgo and Cairo Burgess, who play for FC Bascome, competed for New England Surf Select North East, while Devi Samuels, the only girl and Warwick Football Academy player, featured for Ottawa SC.

Surf Select is a national identification programme for players from under-9 to under-17 level, with top players identified to compete at some of the top domestic and international competitions across the global youth soccer landscape.

Martin, Hidalgo and Burgess, helped the NE Surf Select 2014 team to capture the championship in the bronze flight. The squad remained undefeated over the weekend with the Bermuda players making significant contributions.

Samuels and her Ottawa team-mates finished second in the group phase of the under-14 silver division.

The final showcase games were rained out due to the storm impacting Southern California.

The tournament is used to identify players good enough to compete for the national Surf Select team with the Bermuda youngsters awaiting news on selection. The chosen players will compete in the Surf Cup International Salou, one of Europe’s most prestigious youth football tournaments.

There is also a possible opportunity to play in the Target USA Cup in Minnesota in July.

Richard Todd, lead programme co-ordinator of International Development Academy Bermuda, is delighted that Bermudian youngsters have again been given the opportunity to display the talent that exists on the island.

“This provides an opportunity for talented players from Bermuda clubs to join Surf club and regional teams to guest play in events, as well as represent IDA-Bermuda select teams in prestigious events such as the Super Cup Northern Ireland,” Todd said.

“The Surf Nation Champions League brings together all under-14 teams across the entirety of Surf Nation to an ID event used to scout and identify players for an invite to join Surf Select National team rosters.

“There are 56 clubs in the Surf Nation, which is a network spread across the United States, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Canada.”