Clay Smith has agreed to the undisclosed terms of deal to coach Premier Division newcomers Flatts.

The former national coach, who has achieved numerous success both as a player and a coach, signed on the dotted line during a meeting with club executives on Thursday.

Derek Wright, the Flatts executive and former player, said having Smith on-board is a tremendous asset to the club’s cricket programme.

“Clay’s name is no slouch and I think it’s a plus for the club with his level of coaching experience,” Wright, who is also a former Bermuda Cricket Board executive, added.

“The club has never had anybody at that calibre as a coach so obviously having someone of Clay’s pedigree on-board can only enhance the programme, not only from the senior standpoint, but the overall programme.

“We have a thriving junior programme so he is going to more less oversee the entire programme and try and take us to the next level.”

Smith said coaching Flatts is a major challenge that he is looking forward to.

“Flatts stood out because of the magnitude of the challenge and for me the bigger the challenge the more interested I am,” said Smith, who won every domestic major during trophy laden coaching stints at St David’s and more recently Cleveland County.

“Both the players and the executive are eager to take their programme to another level so hopefully I can do that for them.

“My first priority is to improve the structure of the programme from top to bottom and the results will come. I have no doubt about that.

“I met with the players because I wanted them to understand what I would be bringing to the table and if they were willing to work under a structured, disciplined environment whereby they would be required to work hard and be committed, and they all assured me this is what they want and need, and that’s all I needed to hear.”

Smith, the first batsman to score three centuries in Cup Match, believes that he has the resources at his disposal to transform Flatts into a formidable force.

“One thing that stands out about the Flatts players, which is huge for me, is their team unity,” he said. “They are a very close knit group with an abundance of raw talent.

“They are a very ambitious and keen group and I am very happy to be working with them.

“Personally I would like to get them playing a brand of cricket that the public and cricketers around Bermuda can appreciate and respect.”

Flatts became the first team from the First Division to win the promotion/relegation play-off after beating Western Stars by four wickets at PHC Field last season.