At Somerset Cricket Club, the sound of footballs hitting the turf and the shouts of young athletes fill the air. This week, Bermuda’s aspiring footballers are training under the watchful eyes of coaches from Glasgow Celtic Football Club, thanks to a special camp organized by Coach Leroy Burgess.
The camp, an advanced training program, brings in top-tier coaches from the renowned Scottish club to evaluate and develop local talent. One standout participant will even have the opportunity to train with Celtic’s academy in Scotland, immersing themselves in a professional football environment.
“It’s been a challenge bringing them in over the last two years,” Burgess admitted. “But this year has been really successful. The players are responding well, and you can see their effort and commitment.”
Raising the Standard: The Mentality Shift
With 42 young athletes—both male and female—participating, the camp has exposed a crucial aspect of player development that Bermudian footballers often struggle with: mentality and habits.
“Our players have the technical skills,” Burgess explained. “They know how to pass, receive, dribble, and shoot. But the intensity, the precision—it’s not at the level it needs to be. The Celtic coaches noticed right away that our players are too laid back. In their world, from the moment training starts to the final whistle, players are switched on. That’s the expectation at a professional level.”
One of the biggest takeaways has been tactical awareness. “The Celtic coaches had to adjust their approach when they realized our boys weren’t getting it tactically. It’s about knowing where to be, how to move, and how to play off each other. The good thing is, many of these kids are like sponges—they’re absorbing it and trying to apply it.”
Building a Bridge to International Football
For Burgess, this camp is just the beginning of a much larger vision. His goal? To create a direct pathway for Bermudian players to reach international football opportunities.
“I want to build a bridge from Bermuda to the professional game,” he said. “Celtic is one way, but I believe there are more. The biggest obstacle for our players isn’t just talent—it’s accessibility. Travel is expensive. Club fees, even for mid-tier teams overseas, are high. I want to create a structure that makes the dream realistic.”
Burgess envisions a system where Bermudian players can compete against high-level opponents regularly, at an affordable cost. By securing partnerships and opportunities abroad, he hopes to make professional football a tangible goal for young athletes on the island.
The Future of Bermudian Football
As the camp continues, the impact of Celtic’s coaching is already evident. Players are adjusting to the demands of a higher-intensity game, and many are starting to recognize the work ethic required to make it at the next level.
“This camp isn’t just about sending one player to Scotland,” Burgess emphasized. “It’s about changing the culture of football in Bermuda—shifting our mindset so that excellence is expected, not optional.”
With his vision, dedication, and commitment to Bermuda’s young talent, Coach Leroy Burgess is laying the foundation for a brighter future in Bermudian football—one step, one pass, and one opportunity at a time.
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