Volleyball enthusiasts are invited to trials this week for the first-ever national men's and women's teams.

The try-outs will take place each evening from today until Friday, starting at 6 p.m. at Saltus Gym. Practice sessions for women take place between 6-8 p.m. and the men will follow.

Next Monday (July 1), a squad of 15 players will be chosen for either team and these 30 players will start training to represent Bermuda in various tournaments, including next year's Island Games to be held from June 28 to July 5, 2003, by the International Island Games Association.

The squads will follow a strict training schedule and, as tournaments approach, the travelling squad will be chosen a month or two in advance by the coaches based on player availability and current level of play.

Bermuda Volleyball Association have requested the assistance of John Burt and Dan Hill in this venture. Burt has been a a qualified volleyball coach for the past 30 years and has been named Coach of the Year twice by the Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA). He has also been head coach of the Ontario Men's Provincial Team. Hill has spent more than 20 years playing, officiating and coaching at club, university and adult-competition level.

Both officials will be here to supervise the try-out process and ultimately choose the national squad members. They will establish training programmes for the two squads, coach the squads and travel with them to tournaments.

Persons interested in finding out more about this volleyball programme can contact BVA president, Bill Bucci, at e-mail: bbuccibga.bm or attend the trials.