Terryne Fray will lead Bermuda's U-18 cricket team to the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament this week to take on the best the world has to offer.

The squad, which boasts many of the Island's most promising cricketers, are being sponsored by the Montpelier RE Foundation, and will play nine matches during the competition which runs from July 4 to July 25.

Held annually over a three-week period in July, the Sir Garfield Sobers Cricket Tournament is one of the most prestigious cricket tournaments for young cricketers.

The event is organised by the Barbados Tourism Authority and a committee of local community representatives and high profile ex-West Indian cricketers including Sir Garfield.

This will be the fourth consecutive year that the U-18 squad has taken part in this tournament, which gives the players an opportunity to travel throughout Barbados and to compete at the highest level in their age group.

It is also great opportunity for them to see the Island's many cricket venues and compete against local and other visiting sides from all over the world.

Bermuda are in Zone A which includes the likes of teams from Dominica, Antigua, Trinidad, Jamaica, and four sides from Barbados.

Last year Bermuda were allowed to be involved in the tournament but not in the knockout stages as the Island was permitted to use the tournament as preparation for the U-19 Cricket World Cup, enabling the country to field over-aged players.

Yet skipper Fray stated that his side is focused and looking to prove themselves against the best the world and the Caribbean has to offer.

"I would like to thank the Montpelier RE foundation for their continued support for our team and teams to come", said Fray. "We are going down to Barbados with a team that can compete and I am confident we will make the Island proud.

"We have a few players not with us as they are on international duty with the senior team, but we will be looking to put forward a good showing and excel in the tournament.

"We have a good mindset going down there. We want to win obviously, but also to better ourselves, not only in cricket but also in life in general."

The fixtures for the tournament are played all over Barbados, giving competitors a great opportunity to see the islands many cricket venues and test their mettle against local and other visiting sides from all over the cricketing world.

Bermuda Cricket Board president Reggie Pearman stated that with the continued support of the Montpelier Re Foundation, youth sports in Bermuda would continue to get the exposure required.

"Once again, we are extremely grateful to the Montpelier Re Foundation for giving the National U18 squad the opportunity to represent Bermuda at the Sir Garfield Sobers Tournament," said Pearman.

"This Festival is a great opportunity for the boys to take part in a comprehensive training regime and compete regularly for a solid three week period.

"It is a fairly young squad with many of the more senior players moving up to the senior side after the U19 World Cup.

"This tournament is a great opportunity for them to fully gel as a team and prepare for the U-19 Championships in 2009."

"I hope to see this commitment continue. All of us at the BCB wish the team the best and know that they will represent Bermuda well both on and off the field."

Also on hand for the announcement was Wayne Jackson, Chairman of the Montpelier Re Foundation, who is elated to support another youth team in their endeavours.

"Montpelier Re Foundation is proud of its tradition of helping to make it possible for our young people to realise their potential", said Jackson. "Exposure to higher standards of discipline, teamwork and general performance in international competition not only will challenge these young cricketers to improve, but also will help to prepare them for their life journeys.

"We wish them success in the tournament as they ready themselves to represent Bermuda in the 2009 Championships."

U18 National Squad: Terryne Fray (Captain), Jordan Desilva (V. Captain), Regino Smith, Tre Govia, Deunte Darrell, Kevon Fubler, Joshua Gilbert, Machai Campbell, Sinclair Smith, Jermaine Usher, Michael Hudson Jr., Marcus-Alan Johnson, Macai Simmons, Torico Caines-Dill, Makai Young.