will feature many of the best players in the Caribbean competing for bragging rights.

Over 100 players are expected to grace the courts at the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association's premises in Devonshire -- 75 to 80 of them foreigners -- in what is arguably the largest competition in the region on a yearly basis.

Recently, Bermuda have been somewhat of the whipping boys, waging annual struggles against the heat, as well as opponents, when competing in the tropics.

However, national coach Julian Rose indicated that this year could be a "coming out'' of sorts for the Island as the team should be much improved from previous years.

"The team is training hard with both the seniors and juniors showing great progress,'' said Rose. "Also it's much cooler in Bermuda around March, whereas in the Caymans (Islands) it's usually around 100 degrees, so we won't have to make the climate adjustment.'' In addition, Rose will be making his debut as a member of the Bermuda side after only recently gaining eligibility.

He joins club champion Colin Alexander as the top locals among the seniors, while rising star Tommy Sherratt gets his first major test at the top level.

Rose noted that preparation was coming along well although financial support from the business sector had been slow in coming.

First, however, for the local professional is a trip to the Windy City Open in Chicago next month where he is scheduled to face Canada's Gary Waite in the first round.

Waite was the runner-up in last year's Heinz Bermuda Open Squash tournament and it is hoped that he, along with reigning champion and highly-ranked Brett Martin of Australia, will return for this year's event in April, which will have prize money totalling $18,000 on offer.

"We would expect them to return, but it's still very early,'' said Rose.