Bermuda’s top football prospects have been granted the fantastic opportunity of taking part in a three-day training camp led by English FA youth coach Graham Mills over the upcoming holiday weekend.

Mills is an experienced coach who has worked at Bournemouth, Southampton and Fulham for more than a decade with an emphasis on youth development.

He is presently a youth coach developer at the English FA and also assists in the development of coaches at professional clubs and supporting them through their qualifications.

Mills will be accompanied by Brighton & Hove Albion coach Dan Carroll, Bournemouth goalkeeper coach Charlie Philpott and academy scout Andy Powell, along with Norwich City coach Ryan Alton. The visiting coaches will be assisted by local club and national coaches.

The camp is for under-9, under-11, under-13 and under-18 players with local clubs being encouraged to send ten of their top prospects in each of the age groups.

The event, which is being hosted by Bermuda Football Association and sponsored by Acrisure, Chubb and Rosemont Guest Suites, will take place at the Clyde Best Centre of Excellence from June 13 to 15 and is free of charge.

“It’s all eleventh hour, but we’ve got it going,” Powell told The Royal Gazette.

“It is hosted by Bermuda Football Association and everybody has jumped on board, so all of the island is coming together to host a free event on Saturday, Sunday and Monday,”

“We will set it up and Graham Mills, who is with England now, will do a CPD [continued progression development] for hopefully all the coaches then we will have a Q&A when people can ask any questions they want.

“Graham is a youth coach and a mentor who goes to Premier League clubs and coaches t to see what they’re doing and how everything is going. He will be delivering the CPD for coaches on the island and then just offer what we have for the time that we’re there.

“It’s all free and we wouldn’t be there is wasn’t for Acrisure, Chubb and also Rosemont Guest Suites who have also done very well for us.”

Mills will hold three training sessions for each of the represented age groups along with a coaches symposium and Q&A during his brief visit.

Players and parents have been urged to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of each session and bring along football boots, shin guards, water bottle and training gear. Parents are welcome to watch from the designated areas around the facility.

Dennis Brown, the Bermuda Football Coaches Association president and BFA Football Development Committee member, is delighted to see the island’s youth players being afforded the opportunity to further develop their budding skills.

“Although this is short notice, this is a very exciting opportunity for Bermuda's youth to learn from coaches who work in different football environments, exposing them to new information, techniques and perspectives,” he said.

“It is great that the sessions are free to participants with the goal simply being to learn, develop and enjoy the game. Also the coaches symposium is on Monday, despite it being carnival weekend and a holiday.

“This would provide our local coaches with a valuable opportunity to engage with the international coaches. I encourage players and coaches to take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn, connect and develop in their football journeys.”

Mills and his fellow coaching colleagues are also hoping to work with the senior national team should the opportunity present itself during their brief stay.