A FIFA funded training base, complete with synthetic pitch and floodlights, should be up and running at Gymasium Field by mid-August the Bermuda Football Association has revealed.

Costing $1.3 million, the facility will become the training headquarters for all Bermuda's national teams as well as being available to the domestic clubs.

BFA president Larry Mussenden said the project had been stamped with FIFA's seal of approval. He added that the world's football governing body would be lending their expertise throughout the installation process.

"The synthetic pitch will be a first for Bermuda football and will be the training base for all our national teams," said Mussenden. "The women's football programme will also be based there and the domestic clubs will be able to book it for training and other usage.

"The project is certified and controlled by FIFA and the synthetic pitch will be manufactured and laid by a Canadian company called FieldTurf."

Mussenden said the BFA intended to build changing rooms and a classroom unit at Gym Field, in Pembroke, and would then investigate the possibility of introducing more synthetic pitches across the Island.

"Our pitches have to endure a lot of wear and tear with both football and cricket played on them throughout the year.

"This synthetic pitch would be able to withstand that constant beating. The project has been in the planning for quite some time and we hope to unveil it mid-August."

The scheme will see the dimensions of Gym Field increase and excavation work is due to start Monday and will take between 12 and 14 weeks.

n This season's FA Cup final has been rescheduled to Sunday April 20 at the National Sports Centre.

The showpiece has been moved to avoid clashing with Bermuda Hogges first home match of their USL-D2 campaign against Wilmington Hammerheads on Saturday April 26.

The FA Cup semi-final matches have also been changed to Sunday April 6. Wolves play PHC at Somerset Cricket Club and Boulevard take on Dandy Town at Bernard Park.