Barritt and Son Limited have agreed to play a vital supporting role in assisting Shell as sponsors of a junior league next year.

Company spokesman Bruce Barritt and Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president El James said the commitment by Barritt's would ensure the Shell Youth Tournament be revised and run in a proficient manner as it was prior to folding more than seven years ago.

Last week Shell announced it would inject $20,000 a year towards the competition. Barritt's has not disclosed what its contribution will amount to in terms of cash, but say it will provide drinks at all matches and perhaps trophies.

Admitting to being excited about helping to revive the youth programme, Barritt said his company was always keen to help in the development of cricket, pointing out that it had been sponsors of the Eastern Junior Counties for 25 years.

Barritt's was also one of the sponsors of the International Youth Tournament held in Bermuda this summer.

"We are pleased to see junior cricket back. We recognise that if you don't have youngsters coming up and have a constant flow of interest and active people coming along your game is not going to survive,'' said Barritt.

"If this programme is going to be as good as the previous one then I have no doubt that it will help Bermuda youth cricket, and we are happy to be involved.'' In Barritt's view, the new BCBC committee have impressed by getting so much done in such a short time. The right people, he said, are in place to "get the job done.'' "There have been moves for a long time to get things done and now it's good to see things happening. I have worked with Mr. James on a number of projects and I am happy to see that he is working hard towards getting this project underway,'' added Barritt.

James said he was thrilled to have another sponsor climb aboard, noting that helping with such things as drinks and trophies was just as important as handing over cash.

"Yes, we are excited to have Barritt's join us as we attempt this important revision of a decent junior league,'' said James. "I have worked with Bruce in the past and I have always gotten on well with the company. They have always been very generous and concerned with the various youth programmes throughout the Island. We now look forward to a long relationship with them.'' With Shell keen to have the programme operate with players in the Under-12 age group, the BCBC are also looking at the possibility of running leagues in the under-15 and under-19 divisions.

But James noted that much depended on the interest of the players, claiming that the intention was to concentrate on the younger group who were better organised in school competition.

BRUCE BARRITT Cricket sponsorship