Keith Tucker has hailed Bermuda Hogges for helping him hit the ground running by installing national team players with a newfound professionalism as he prepares for life as Bermuda's coach.

The former Howard University boss said the majority of those regularly attending thrice-weekly training sessions had been part of the Hogges team and consequently developed an understanding and professional attitude.

Tucker said he envisaged the national team, Bermuda Hogges and Island Soccer League (ISL) as "one footballing family", and wanted to see all three programmes working in tandem to raise the standard of the local game.

"I think what the Bermuda Hogges and the Under-23 national programme did over the summer was give us a beautiful start," said Tucker who was unveiled as Kenny Thompson's successor earlier this month.

"I'm pleased with the players I've seen at training. Most of them have been Bermuda Hogges players as well as those who want to pull on the national team shirt. We have invited a whole lot of guys and when all the college players return from overseas we should have close to 30 players involved.

"I can tell the players are feeling good after being involved with the Bermuda Hogges and the Island Soccer League this summer — their attitude has been incredible.

"The way I see it we're all part of the same footballing family who will be judged against a different football family when we play other nations."

Among those who have whetted Tucker's appetite in training are Hogges' franchise duo Stephen Astwood and Damon Ming, as well as skipper Kwame Steede. Tucker added he was also familiar with former Howard University trio Jason Williams, Nigel Burgess and Omar Shakir.

"Although the national team hasn't played for a while the majority of those involved in the programme have been playing regularly with Bermuda Hogges — you can tell they are used to playing with each other," said Tucker whose favoured formation is 4-3-3 or 4-5-1.

"I hadn't seen Stevie Astwood up close before and he's an excellent goalscorer, and there's little Damon Ming and I still don't know why he hasn't been picked up by an English club.

"He's very quick and under my programme I would like him making a lot of runs inside, not just down the wing. There's also Kwame Steede who is a very intelligent player - these guys are capable of hurting defences.

"I'm familiar with goalkeepers Jason Williams and Nigel Burgess from their time at Howard University. They both keep wearing their Howard jerseys to training to make sure I don't forget.

"Then there's Omar Shakir who was a striker back then but has been converted into defender. I saw him play for the Hogges and he is very strong and mature."