France, Jamaica have embarked on an aggressive youth development programme -- and Bermuda are eager to follow suit.

As Bermuda Football Association prepare for a busy international summer programme, some officials and members of the national coaching staff -- BFA coaching chairman Aldwyn Savery and Technical Director Clyde Best included -- are now questioning how the Island can keep pace with their neighbours to the south.

In addition to the million dollar cash injection from world governing body FIFA, announced earlier this year, Savery and Best believe much more cash is needed from the business sector if the local programme is to flourish.

Bermuda's Under-20 and Under-17 teams will participate in several tournaments this year, one in Bermuda and others in Jamaica, Cayman Islands and possibly St. Kitts.

"We would like to do the same thing as Jamaica because we recognise that in order for us to compete against these nations we have to play against them as much as possible and be as active as much as possible,'' said Savery.

"But the lack of funds for this purpose continues to haunt us along with other problems such as our youngsters having difficulty getting away from school.

"When there are funds available to permit us to become more active then we certainly will be.'' Best pointed out that Bermuda squads could not be expected to succeed in international tournaments while restricted to training two days a week in preparation.

"Actually it's unfair on the kids. It's vital that we find a way to allocate money for proper preparation so that more can be put into pre-tournament planning,'' said the coach.

"I've said it before and I will continue to say it, we need to have more international matches if we expect our boys to do well. They are not just in need of exposure against international teams but they need to play abroad to gain the experience of playing away from home as well.'' A BFA official, who didn't wish to be named, put it more bluntly. "We are neglecting our youth. How is it that a much less prosperous country like Jamaica continues to make gigantic strides in development while we limp far behind.

"For a long time the business community in Jamaica have given sound financial support to their national teams while ours inject a few bucks occasionally.'' Jamaica's Football Federation Secretary General Horace Reid said recently of his country's present position: "What we have built is a beautiful and sturdy roof. We are now building the foundation.'' And that foundation is aimed at the various youth teams who will battle against Bermuda this summer in the Under-20 and Under-17 age groups.

In the Under-20 age division Bermuda and Jamaica will be involved in the World Cup preliminaries in Jamaica on August 22 and then both countries will be attempting to qualify for the CAC Games -- Bermuda's qualifying round being played in St. Kitts around the middle of next month.

In the Under-17 age groups, Bermuda will be hosting the International Youth Tournament on July 19 and then playing Cayman Islands in the World Cup qualifying round in July or September with the dates and venue still to be determined.

In preparation for these competitions Jamaica are busy making plans. Already both the Under-20 and Under-17 squads have visited Brazil for a 15-day training camp and France for a series of matches. And the Under-17 team are now in Haiti competing in a four nation tournament.

Early next month both squads will be off to Miami to play friendly matches against United States teams and that will be followed by games against Bolivia in Jamaica.

In addition, Jamaica are planning to form an Under-15 national squad and later an Under-12 squad.