Na’eem Griffith, the PHC Zebras defender, is a doubt for the Friendship Trophy final against Somerset Trojans on New Year’s Day because he is trying to become an America’s Cup sailor.

Griffith is involved in the Bermuda Red Bull Youth America’s Cup training camp and is to undergo sailing evaluations on the same day as the final at Somerset Cricket Club.

However, the dreadlocked player is keeping his fingers crossed that a compromise can be reached between Team Bermuda officials and his club, paving the way for him to make a first appearance in a Friendship Trophy final.

“As of now I’m not sure if I can play, but I will definitely speak to the selection committee, and my coaches at PHC as well, to see if we can come to some sort of mutual ground and work out the best way [forward] possible,” Griffith said.

“I’d love to play because it’s a final and I have never played in the Friendship Trophy final before, so I’m looking forward to see what pans out.”

PHC advanced to a first Friendship Trophy final in seven years and sixteenth overall, after coming from behind to beat North Village 2-1 in Sunday’s semi-final at PHC Field.

Griffith was ruled out of the match because of the Bermuda Red Bull Youth America’s Cup training camp that runs until January 2.

“I was keeping up to see how the game was going,” said Griffith, one of four changes to PHC’s line-up from the squad that beat Robin Hood in the Premier Division in their previous outing.

“I spoke to a few players after the game and they felt we started a little slow before steadying ourselves and coming out with the victory.”

Griffith is among the 46 candidates looking to be part of Team Bermuda and made it through one of three fitness combines to become eligible for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup training camp.

“I’m very glad to make the first cut and I’m looking forward to progressing and seeing how things go,” he said. “I play football, so I’m used to working as a team, and feel as though I work well with others.”

Griffith has previous sailing experience under his belt having sailed at the development level in the Optimist Dinghy.

“I sailed the Optimist a bit in middle school so I’m used to the actual aspect of being in a boat on the water,” he said.

As someone with sailing experience, Griffith will be put through his paces in the Nacra SL 16 catamaran, the one-design Viper 640 and J/80 sailboats.

Team Bermuda will race in the wing-sail foiling AC45F catamaran, the same class being used in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, in the Great Sound against teams from around the world in June 2017.

This week’s training camp involves 40 of the 46 athletes that made the first cut after the combines in August, September and earlier this month.

As well as the sailing this week, the candidates for Bermuda’s first Youth America’s Cup team will undergo a series of physical, mental and leadership tests, which will help selectors determine who should advance to the next stage.

The group will also receive briefings on anti-doping regulations, water safety and substance abuse.

In early 2016 the selection committee hopes to identify a squad of 18 of the best sailors and athletes who, with intensive training and coaching, will be equipped to compete with the world’s best young sailors in foiling high performance catamarans.

The final racing team will consist of six Red Bull Youth America’s Cup squad members, with others supporting as training partners and a shore team.