Bermuda Hogges and Bermuda Under 23s will play up to 18 matches against United Soccer League Division Two opposition on home turf as part of a mutual beneficial agreement.

The 'double bill' venture will see the Bermuda Under-23 programme essentially serve as a Hogges reserve team and provide a platform for the Island's best youngsters to test themselves against quality opposition and catch the eye of overseas scouts.

They will play a series of friendly fixtures against the Hogges' USL opponents as they prepare for Pan Am and Olympic campaigns.

The Hogges matches will take priority and will once again be played at the National Sports Centre, with the Under-23s in action at BFA Gym Field the following day.

Under-23 players without college status will be also be eligible for Hogges duty should they sufficiently impress the semi-professional outfits coaching staff.

Derek Broadley, Bermuda Football Association's (BFA) technical director, said the initiative would become a model for young players to progress through to the professional ranks.

"Bermuda international Tyrell Burgess signed for Vancouver Whitecaps on the back of his performances for Reading Rage in the Professional Development League (PDL).

"But if this model had been in place Tyrell could have gone through those same steps through our programme – this has to be the model," Broadley told yesterday's press conference at the BFA offices.

"This programme will also give the Hogges a chance to take a look at player a year or so ahead of themselves. Even if a player is at college and therefore can't play for the Hogges at least they will be able to play a good standard of football in Bermuda over the summer.

"But if a player who wasn't at college showed the capacity to play at the higher level we would be foolish not to encourage him to play for the Hogges."

Broadley said the Under-23s would start training in preparation for their matches by the end of the month with youth director Devarr Boyles involved in the coaching.

Hogges coach Kyle Lightbourne admits his team has struggled to come to terms to the physicality of their league, but believes the transition of future players to the USL level will become smoother by exposing them to it early in their development.

"When we first started with the Hogges we struggled physically and it took us a while to adjust to that," said the PHC coach.

"This initiative will give young Bermudians some experience of a more physical brand of football.

"The Hogges have always been about improving Bermuda players and this season we really need to try and become a mid-table team.

"I think we will introduce a few new faces but have a smaller squad than last season."

Paul Scope, Hogges co-owner, said the agreement had been in the pipeline for some time and would help offset some the franchise's heft outlay with the BFA sharing the costs of the venture.

"Our main mission is to improve the senior national team so this scheme is exactly what we set out to do two years ago," said Scope.

"Our budget is looking better although we are still not even in a break even situation despite the generosity of our sponsors. Hopefully we will be able to break even by year four and if we do then we will have felt it was worthwhile.

"We never went into this as a profit-making venture and so it's proved.

"We have a pain threshold at some point but we're nowhere near it yet."

He added: "Our USL opponents are all very enthusiastic about playing two matches while they are here and will bring bigger squad with them."

The Hogges travel to the US to take on Crystal Palace Baltimore for their first game of the season on Friday April 24.

Their first home game will be against Harrisburg City Islanders.

Bermuda Hogges 2009 schedule

April

Friday 24 Crystal Palace Baltimore (away)

Saturday 25 Real Maryland Monarchs (away)

May

Friday 1 Harrisburg City Islanders (home)

Saturday May 9 Richmond Kickers (home)

Friday May 15 Wilmington Hammerheads (home)

Sunday May 17 Wilmington Hammerheads (home)

Friday May 22 Real Maryland Monarchs (home)

June

Friday Wilmington Hammerheads (away)

Saturday Charlotte Eagles (away)

Thursday Pittsburgh Riverhounds (away)

Saturday Harrisburg City Islanders (away)

Friday Crystal Palace Baltimore (home)

Saturday Western Mass Pioneers (home)

July

Thursday Pittsburgh Riverhounds (home)

Saturday Pittsburgh Riverhounds (home)

Saturday Richmond Kickers (away)

Friday Western Mass Pioneers (away)

Sunday Western Mass Pioneers (away)

August

Saturday Charlotte Eagles (home)

Saturday Real Maryland Monarchs (away)