Bermuda will be represented at the next instalment of the USL Academy Cup.

Andrew Bascome, director of football and head coach of FC Bascome Bermuda, has confirmed that the local USL League Two franchise plan to send two teams that will compete in the under-13 and under-17 age groups at next year’s tournament to be held in Florida.

“The USL League Two are doing a lot to help the clubs’ youth programmes, so what they offered up was the USL Academy Cup for the under-13 and under-17 age groups,” Bascome said.

“It’s a very competitive competition and most of the USL franchises will be involved.

“We are going to take advantage of the opportunity because I think it would be good in assisting the boys’ development moving forward.

“We are looking to send two teams and, of course, we are looking for coaches as well to go along with the teams.

“As far as the coaches are concerned, I would like to offer it as a coaching experience for some of the coaches, especially the ones that are B licensed that don’t really get the opportunity to be in the Academy. However, it has to be with our same philosophy.”

Launched during the 2019/20 youth soccer campaign, the USL Academy Cup is designed to bring together top youth prospects and identifying and developing players with the potential to reach the professional level.

“It’s going to be challenging,” Bascome added. “They are going to be playing against some tough opposition.

“I think we will have 16 to 18 players per side and I think the under-17 is going to be a challenging group.

“It’s kicking off in May 2021 and is a weekend tournament so it’s not like the boys will be missing any time from school.”

Event organisers will announce official dates and venues at a later date.

FC Bascome Bermuda joined the USL ranks earlier this year and were scheduled to play their inaugural season in the Mid Atlantic Division over the summer.

However, the local franchise made the difficult decision to take a hiatus from the USL League Two 2020 season with a commitment to return in 2021 because of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our decision is directly related to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the uncertainty that accompanies it,” said FC Bascome Bermuda general manager Richard Calderon.

“Being one of the few international clubs outside of the United States, we face the additional challenge of international travel.”

Bascome added: “In the end, we have had to put this experience into perspective and, while we are disappointed with the outcome, FCBB appreciates that this pandemic has created an unprecedented challenge for us all and the safety and health of everyone involved goes before everything else.”

Bascome said he is very encouraged by the numbers that took part in open trials for the 2021 USL League Two campaign last August.

“We had about 50 players and the interest was at a good level,” he said. “But it’s a lot more that goes with that than just the talent. Most of them were under 23 so it was very encouraging.”

Bascome said there are plans in the works to stage another open trial next month.FC Bascome Bermuda have attracted interest from several overseas players keen to play for the local team.

“I am looking at some of the video that foreign players have sent because it’s important that we have a very good team,” Bascome said. “I want to make sure the local players understand what it takes to play at that level. So it wouldn’t hurt to have a few international players come in so they can see the behaviour, can see the commitment and know what it takes to get to that level.”

The 2021 season is scheduled to commence early May 2021 and finish by mid July.

The USL League Two, formerly the Premier Development League, is the leader in pre-professional football in the US and Canada.

For all queries regarding the USL Academy Cup e-mail coachbascome@gmail.com