Toronto FC’s Paul Mariner believes Bermuda Hogges provide an important pipeline for young Island players who aspire to play professionally overseas.Last summer the MLS side forged links with Hogges as part of football development agreement in the hope of tapping into the “rich talent pool” in Bermuda.Ex-Hogges players Nahki Wells and Freddy Hall have both turned pro in recent few years at Bradford and Northampton respectively, while Reggie Lambe, who signed for Toronto last month, has also benefited for the burgeoning relationship between the teams.Mariner, the club’s director of player development, expects plenty more “gems” to be churned off the Island’s conveyor belt and wants Toronto to capitalise on its produce.Primarily, Mariner is targeting youngsters aged 12 to 16, who would be given an opportunityto further their education, both on and off the pitch, under Toronto’s watchful eye should they show sufficient promise.“We believe there’s a potential pipeline between Canada and Bermuda and we want to blow it out of the water. I believe there’s a rich talent pool on the Island,” said Mariner, a close friend of Hogges owner Paul Scope.“I come down to Bermuda periodically on scouting trips and so on, and it’s a good opportunity for us to expand our relationship between Canada and the Island.“A lot of Bermuda kids already go to school in Canada, and hopefully we can expand on that and pick up one or two gems.“Eventually we’d like to take some talented 12 to 16 year-olds, bring them to Toronto and further nurture their ability. We’d make sure parents knew their child’s education, housing and football development would be well looked after.”Mariner believes the Hogges, formed in 2006 by Scope and former UK professionals Kyle Lightbourne and Shaun Goater, have been a more worthwhile venture, helping broaden the horizons and amibitions of their players.Prior to the franchise, he pointed out, the best on-Island players rarely experienced foreign competition other than when on national duty, which in the past has been inactive for long-periods.“Scopey and I are always talking, always talking about football, talking about his team (the Hogges),” said Mariner, who is on the Island visiting Scope.“I think the Hogges are very important, it’s important for the local players to get international experience.“Their players can go over to the US and play against some tough teams who have players on the fringes of the MLS.“It seems there’s now a bridge between the Hogges and the national team and I think Devarr Boyles (the BFA director of football) is very appreciative of that.”Last season saw Hogges achieve their highest place finish in the USL, finishing sixth in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.