Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne might not be the only Bermudians on centre stage in Britain next week when three of the Island's top referees head across the Atlantic.

As part of the Bermuda Referees Association's exchange programme, local officials Gregory Simons, Joe Pimental and Andre (Doc) Manders have been chosen to officiate in various divisions in England.

Bermuda has already hosted English referees Dave Richardson, Jeff Russell and Peter Spink and in return the local trio will get chance to broaden their horizons overseas.

The officials leave next Tuesday for the UK where they will take part in several English league matches over the course of two weeks.

Simons, senior official among the trio, and both a FIFA assistant/referee and a Bermuda Football Association grade two referee, said that he was looking forward to the challenge.

"When Jeff and Peter were recently here, one of the comments they made to us was that we were not being challenged by the players in respect to calls," he said.

"During a visit to our shores, the English pair reflected on how back in the UK it was quite common to experience players challenging the referee's call in close proximity."

The trio have all been given advice as to just what to expect from the players overseas.

Primed for the challenge, Simons said he was prepared to take it all in his stride.

"They (Russell and Spink) advised me to take it with a grain of salt and that it wouldn't be anything personal, so I am just looking forward to being in that environment - officiating before crowds in excess of over six thousand plus people."

For Manders, in only his third year of officiating, news of his selection to take part in the exchange initiative came as a total surprise.

"I just put my name for forward because I do like a challenge, but when I was chosen initially I asked 'why me'? I'm only in my third year of officiating," he said.

However, like Simons, he relishes the new challenge.

"English football is much different from what we are used to in Bermuda, the fields alone out there are larger, therefore we are all going to have to be up to the task," he said.

The former Somerset Cup Match skipper insisted the trio were going overseas for the learning experience and not for a vacation.

"We're looking forward to gaining valuable experience out there so that we can bring it back home and implement it," he added.

For Pimental the trip will be his first to England.

"I'm looking forward to participating," he said. "I know the weather is going to be a lot different from back home, but it is going to be a good experience and I am looking to the challenges."

BRA chief Richard Knight commented: "We've selected three qualified representatives. These gentlemen have been refereeing over the last couple of seasons and I think that when they return they will be good for the game."

The trio will be involved in matches in the Northbox Premier League, MK Youth League, South Midlands Division II and also in the Under-16 Youth League over a two-week period.