BFA football director Devarr Boyles considers Bermuda Hogges as the “missing component” of the national programme and expects this summer’s games to provide crucial preparation for the Digicel Cup.With Hogges co-owner Paul Scope admitting to have reached his financial threshold, having ploughed more than $500,000 of his own money into the franchise, there have been murmurings next season could be skipped.But, with the Digicel Cup on the horizon, Boyles believes Hogges have an important part to play in extending the ‘feel-good’ bubble created by the recent World Cup qualifying campaign and hopes funds can raised to keep the team afloat.“Hogges have become even more critical now because of the expectations of what we can do,” said Boyles, who is confident Bermuda will be a seeded team at the Digicel Cup on the back of their impressive qualifiers.“What I’m saying to the sponsors and the owners of Hogges is that it’s critical for their continued support well, even greater support, because without Hogges the senior team becomes hard to operate. We’re looking to become beyond competitive and Hogges will help us do that.“How well we do at Digicel will largely depend on our readiness and Hogges will play a big part of our preparations.”Boyles, who took charge of Bermuda’s qualifying campaign, views Hogges as one of the most important building blocks for developing young players in Bermuda, providing a bridge between the National Academy and senior level.It’s an opinion that hasn’t always reflected the general consensus of the football fraternity, who initially treated the team with suspicion with them being run as a separate entity from the BFA.However, with the BFA now having complete control over team affairs, Boyles believes many of those naysayers are slowly beginning to appreciate the importance of having a team competing in an American league.“For me, the National Academy, Hogges and the senior national team are all under the same umbrella,” Boyles said. “In the past I think the public didn’t see the value of Hogges or thought there was a conflict between them and the national team.“But now the infrastructure is the same, with the same coaches working with the same players.”Last season saw Academy graduates Zeiko Lewis and Tre Ming makes their Hogges bows with Boyles hoping to blood some more teenagers during the next Premier Development League campaign.“This is our third year (with control over team affairs) and we’re graduating players every year, but where do they go to after the National Academy? They go to the Bermuda Hogges.“These players need Hogges who have become part of their football education. For me, Hogges are the missing component of Bermuda football.”Although there will be an overlap with Hogges' season and the Digicel Cup, Boyles doesn't believe there will be a problem."We know we have enough players to run two senior teams," he said. "There were a raft of players unavailable for the World Cup qualifiers due to studies for school but they will be this summer."Mark Wade, the BFA’s player development committee chairman, echoed Boyles’ sentiments regarding the Hogges being a “breeding ground” for young Bermuda talent and said the BFA would do all they can to soften Scope’s financial burden.“We’re sitting down and going through our budget and Hogges are still very much part of our programme,” said Wade. “It’s a good breeding ground for those player who aren’t quite ready for the national team.“We will be doing all we can and the logistical support is always there. Maybe we need to breakdown some doors together financially speaking, working side-by-side.“I know funding is a real concern for Hogges and Paul has reached his threshold, so we’ll be doing everything we can to make it happen.”Last season saw Hogges achieve their highest place finish in the PDL, coming sixth in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.