The Brazilian Soccer School from Bermuda has shown the proffesional academys the way, with wins over West Ham United, one of the countrys leading sources of talent having seen the likes of Defoe, Ferdinand, Carrick, Noble passing through its ranks in recent years. The lads from BSS then followed this up with a win over Reading.

From a personal point of view I saw the Bermuda team first hand at our training camp in Leeds, and I must say I found them a good bunch of lads. However I saw nothing which can not be repeated in here in Birmingham, we have good young players who will develop further. The lads from Bermuda have helped set the standards and we will be striving to raise the bar over the next few months.

An Under-15 team from Brazilian Soccer Schools (BSS) Bermuda emerged victorious from a clash with West Ham United Under-15s before following up the success with a victory over Reading FC's Under-15 team.

The BSS squad, who had been in Leeds to participate in the International Confederation of Futebol de Salao (ICFDS) annual coaching course, were in good shape in both clashes, overcoming the effects of an intensive week of coaching to see off their opposition.

In defeating West Ham, BSS Bermuda - led by head coaches Peter F. Wilson and Dennis Brown - overcame a team from of the most highly-rated academies in football, from which the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Mark Noble have emerged.

In the second encounter with Reading FC, BSS Bermuda called upon the skills they had worked hard on during their week-long training camp led by BSS coach Justin Richards, including stamina and concentration.

A keenly contested affair saw the visitors walk away with a 1-0 win, and they were invited back to the club next year for another friendly clash which will guage the progress the squad has made.

Head of BSS Richard Sutherland said: "It's credit to each of the players that they were able to perform so impressively against such teams, particularly as they were involved in intensive coaching in the week leading up to the matches.

"Each player underlined their rapid progress, and we wish to congratulate everybody involved with BSS Bermuda for their commitment and enthusiasm.

"To be invited back again next year shows how highly-rated the team were by the coaches at West Ham too."

BSS Bermuda Players also Impressed during the ICFDS Coaching Course.

A 30-plus team of franchisees, coaches and players from Brazilian Soccer Schools (BSS) Bermuda flew to Leeds, England for the latest International Confederation of Futebol de Salao (ICFDS) Coaching Course.

Among the group was a squad of some of the most highly-rated young footballers from Bermuda, and the culmination of an intensive coaching camp saw the team emerge victorious in a friendly clash with the ICFDS Under-15 National Squad.

The course sees representatives from BSS centres from around the globe travel to Trinity and All Saints University in Leeds to take part in practical and business sessions, with coaches and staff attending from nations such as Kenya, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, America, Poland, Finland and Spain amongst others.

The players were put through their paces over the course of five days by Justin Richards, working on everything from core skills to fitness.

The group then travelled south to London to partake in friendly clashes with teams from BSS Islington, as well having an opportunity to visit the landmark attractions in England's capital city.

Head of BSS, Richard Sutherland, commended all of the players for their dedication to the training: "It was wonderful to have so many players and staff join us for the coaching course, and they were rewarded for their efforts in an entertaining match with the ICFDS National Squads.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the trip, not least the BSS Bermuda staff who looked after the entire group for the duration of their stay."