A prominent instructor from the English FA will be arriving in August to conduct an International Coaching Licence course which will be the first of its kind to be held in Bermuda, according to the General Secretary of Bermuda Football Association, David Sabir.

While both the exact date of the course and the name of the official being brought in remain uncertain, Sabir revealed that the course was highly recognised and one in which every coach on the Island should participate.

Interested coaches will be given further information during a special meeting with BFA officials this evening at the BAA clubhouse, starting at 6 p.m.

At that meeting coaches will also be advised that in order to qualify for the international course they will have to complete a Bermuda B Licence course, scheduled for next month.

"We are really happy to confirm that the English Federation will be sending one of their instructors here. One thing we know is that it will be a very high level course and we hope all of our coaches will take full advantage of it," said Sabir.

"In fact, this course was conducted for all Caribbean nations in Trinidad last month and consequently it is easy to see just how fortunate we are to have the programme here in the Island."

At the completion of the international course, the BFA will be holding a Bermuda C Licence course prior to the start of the new soccer season, and further particulars will be announced at a later date.

According to Sabir, the series of courses is in keeping with an established policy of the BFA's executive and technical committees whose ultimate aim is to improve the level of play by improving the level of coaching.

"We are looking to establish as many qualified coaches in Bermuda prior to the International Licence course coming here and those eligible to sit the International Licence course will be those who actually have the BFA's B Licence or above that rating," said Sabir.

"What's critical to this whole process is the support of the local coaches.

"This is why we are holding a vital meeting with coaches on Thursday. At this meeting the Technical Committee chairman Robert Calderon, Education Committee chairman Jon Beard together with with BFA president Larry Mussenden will discuss all of the details related to the courses and our goals and, hopefully, at the same time encourage the coaches of taking up the opportunity of participating in the course."

The August course was one of the initiatives established when Mussenden, Calderon and Sabir went to England in October at the invitation of the English FA.