on the Island next week to conduct a series of cricket courses.

In a move aimed at continuing development, Bermuda Cricket Board of Control have organised Bourne's visit to help local coaches at both the senior and junior level.

According to BCBC president El James, the courses will last for four days, starting next Thursday and continuing through to Sunday.

Tentative plans call for them to be held at Bermuda College, although the Board are still unable to confirm that venue.

"Mr. Bourne is definitely one of the better known coaches in the West Indies, particularly at the school and club levels,'' said James.

"Many of us ex-players played against him in the World Cup when he was representing and coaching East Africa back in 1979.

"The course is a part of our ongoing development plan. Our programme is clearly geared not just to upgrade players but to lift the level of everyone involved with the game of cricket.

"We are working with the ICC (International Cricket Council) to put on additional courses later, ones that will concentrate on such things as umpiring and scoring. We have their full sanction for the upcoming course and naturally will have them behind us in future ones as well.'' At the conclusion of next week's course, James said the successful participants would be given West Indies coaching certificates which means that they will be "internationally recognised''.

Shortly afterwards arrangements will be made to stage a level two course.

Then, according to James, Bourne will be invited back to conduct the advanced course next year as the rules stipulate that there must be a waiting period of 12 months before coaches can progress from level two status.

"The Board looks at the advanced course as being somewhat of a privilege for any of our people here in the Island because there is a long waiting list in other countries,'' said James.

"It will be a unique opportunity for a local person to be able to take it so quickly. I would urge those interested to contact the Board's office in Hamilton and register for next week's course as soon as possible because it will be on a first-come first-served basis.''