Alex Campbell Jr. quipped that as coach of the Castaways, he plans on defeating Ian Bridge’s UVic Alumni squad this weekend in the opening round of the Island over-35 Tony Grover Cup soccer competition.

But come spring and summer, Victoria Highlanders owner Campbell and Bridge will again be united in common cause.

Campbell announced Wednesday that former Canadian Olympian and World Cup player Bridge has been re-signed as head coach of the Highlanders for two more seasons in the United Soccer League’s Premier Development League.

Bridge, who has been assistant Canadian women’s coach at the World Cup and Summer Olympics and medal-winning Canadian women’s head coach at the FIFA U-19 World Cup and Pan Am Games, guided the Highlanders to second place last season behind the Kitsap Pumas in the PDL Northwest Division. The club also qualified for the playoffs for the first time.

The Highlanders were eliminated by a 3-1 score in the first round of the post-season in California by the Fresno Fuego, but the season still had to be counted as a breakthrough success.

“I wanted Ian back but a lot depended on the economics of the situation and things are looking pretty good in that regard,” said Campbell, who added the Highlanders have surpassed the 300 season-ticket plateau toward the goal of 1,500 for the 2012 PDL season.

“We will go forward together. He is Ian Bridge, one of the top guys Canada has ever produced in soccer. He is well respected by the players and the whole soccer community. I felt our brand of soccer last year was outstanding. It was an attacking team that controlled the midfield. And Ian is also a big believer in our Highlanders youth development system.”

Plan on seeing some of those Highlanders academy players graduate to the PDL club this season.

“I very much wanted to be involved year-round, and not just as PDL coach for the spring and summer,” said Bridge. “Our goal is to have a similar team to last year’s in terms of success. But look for a younger team with academy players pushing to be in the team. Several are now ready.”

Bridge said he still plans on having “three to four” import players, as the budget allows, with his No. 1 target being the splashy striker and 2011 Highlanders team MVP Ash Burbeary of England.

“But I always build teams from the back-four out,” noted Bridge, himself a former back-line mainstay for Canada, with six goals and 34 caps internationally.

“There must be a team defensive mentality. I let the talent do its stuff in terms of goals.”

Meanwhile, Campbell said he is meeting Friday with Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin and city officials regarding an extended tenure at Royal Athletic Park. The Highlanders are assured of playing in the facility for the 2012 PDL season but the picture becomes fuzzy after that because of the potential for a West Coast League baseball team coming to Royal Athletic beginning in 2013.