SWINDON Town academy director Jeremy Newton is in the Cayman Islands this week with the under 15 squad and is hoping to unearth more talents to bring into the club’s academy.

Newton has been taking his youth sides over to the Cayman International Youth Football Tournament for the last few years and Town’s youth set-up is now home to young prospects Kray Foster and Nathan Borde.

The brightest of the talents Town have snapped up in their visits is Sebastian Martinez, who last month became the first player from the Islands to sign apprenticeship forms with Swindon.

The tournament, which kicks off this Thursday, see Town’s youngsters take on under 16 and under 15 Cayman Athletic SC Select and Future SC Select teams, as well as Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo under 15s.

“Over the years we have noticed there is a hot-bed of talent upon the island,” Swindon Town FC Academy Manager Newton said on Cayman 27.

“(We’re) working, along with (tournament organisers) Grasspiece Promotions and CIFA, to try and nurture and really identify the players.

“If we can do some work with the coaches, work with the structures in place, then hopefully the transition between coming off the island and into our academy isn’t as big as maybe it was three or four years ago.”

The tournament is a big deal in the Cayman Islands as was Town’s signing of Martinez. So much so that the Cayman minister of community affairs, youth and sport, Osbourne Bodden, even offered his congratulations.

“It gives me great pleasure to learn of Sebastian’s apprenticeship offer by Swindon Town FC,” said Bodden.

“This is a huge moment for the young man and for these small islands and on behalf of the Government, I extend hearty and sincere congratulations to Sebastian, his parents, coaches and all those who have had a hand in helping him reaching this milestone.

“He is a great role model and has shown what is possible with hard work and commitment and the right attitude.

“It has been our privilege to have been able to support Sebastian in this quest over the past few years, and it proves that when we recognise talent and put resources behind it, anything is possible.

"We wish him continued success as he strives to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional footballer and establish the Cayman Islands as a name in British football.”