league team, the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control has revealed.

News that the side is to be disbanded comes on the day the Board plans to unveil a progressive youth programme, including the long-awaited revival of the Shell Youth Tournament.

The squad, known as the International Youth Tournament Select, operated in the First Division overs and open competitions.

El James, BCBC president, yesterday defended the decision, insisting that the move was made in the best interests of cricket.

"The previous administration's plan was to have them participate as they did last year to get them ready for the International Youth Tournament, but since there is not a tournament like that we have decided that we are not going to have them play under that format this time around,'' he said.

"While we consider it to have been a good idea to operate like they did last year, we feel that now is the time to allow them to go to their individual teams and use the expertise of those mature individuals at the clubs to assist them. That's where their real development takes place.'' According to James, the Youth Tournament of old will no longer be available for the Island since Bermuda now comes under the West Indies Cricket Board and will have to concentrate on tournaments involving the likes of the United States, Canada and Argentina.

The Board recently met with the players and their families to inform them of the decision. Not all of the players supported the move -- some claiming their progress would be hampered.

But James countered: "I don't believe that. There are several First Division clubs who have really good development programmes with a good coaching staff.'' He added: "I for one am a product of a First Division team. Warwick were there for a long while and I was able to get the opportunity to bowl a lot of overs and bat high in the order. It enabled me to develop in all areas and to play in Cup Match and in international and other representative matches.

"I'm convinced that these same players will have a lot of development opportunities too. But there are some who can be given a chance to play with Premier teams too if they work hard at their overall game.'' James urged all clubs to try to get the players involved, saying that he hoped none would join Premier Division teams where they might not get adequate opportunities.

He said: "Unfortunately these individuals never had the opportunity of coming up through junior ranks to develop properly, they never gained certain important fundamentals.

"By starting leagues for the under-13s and under-16s these players will advance gradually and get the proper training that the present under-19 players failed to benefit from because no youth programme has existed for the past eight years.

"I know there are clubs out there who are desperate for young players. I would like to see where the abilities of the IYT players can be utilised.

There are teams who can use them right now -- we know it.'' One person upset by the withdrawal of the IYT will be coach Terry Ward. He recently voiced his concerns in a letter to The Royal Gazette .

He suggested that the IYT be placed in the "top division in the open competitions.'' But the BCBC scoffed at any idea to have them compete with Premier Division sides.

Ward said: "The BCBC have two options in my opinion. They show vision and put the time, money and energy into the under-19s or they abandon it because they didn't win at the tournament.''