Bermuda's victorious Under-19 national cricket team put a lot of effort into qualifying for next year's Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia this summer.

Now comes the equally challenging task of maintaining physical sharpness during the off-season ahead of next year's youth cricket spectacle in Asia.

But to ensure the Island's youngsters do not lose shape before arriving in Malaysia, Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) director of cricket development Arnold Manders has proposed an intensive training schedule that includes a ten-day training camp in Trinidad in December.

"We have scheduled 50 training sessions between now and next February to work on a few things that we have identified that we need to work on as a team and also individually," he said.

Since qualifying for next year's World Cup the Island's Under-19s have not missed a single beat, training as often as three times per week. And if all goes according to Manders' detailed proposal, squad members could be further subjected to four fitness tests as team management step up a relentless drive for optimum performance from their players.

"Fitness is one of our main priorities because we are not going to be leaving here out of shape," Manders declared. "In Canada (Americas Championship) we were one of the fittest teams during the tournament and hopefully the players can build on that."

Another plus for the Island's youngsters was news yesterday that the Board were looking to possibly inject a few Under-19 cricketers into the senior national programme ahead of upcoming one day internationals and Intercontinental Cup assignments in Kenya and Dubai in late October and early November.

It is understood that Cleveland off spinner Tamauri Tucker, Warwick wicketkeeper/batsman Steven Bremar, Western Stars all-rounder Dennico Hollis and St. George's seamer Kyle Hodsoll are among those tipped to get the nod, while Under-19 skipper Rodney Trott and vice captain Malachi Jones look set to retain their places in the senior squad.

Trott, Jones and fast bowler Stefan Kelly all saw action with the senior national team during the Intercontinental Cup in Ireland late last month following a successful Under-19 Americas Championship in Toronto. Kelly, however, has been ruled out of November's senior tours of Kenya and Dubai due to school commitments in the UK, Manders confirmed. "Stefan will not be able to make the trip because of school commitments. But for the others I think this will be a very good opportunity for them to get experience playing at the senior level while also keeping themselves in good physical condition ahead of the Under-19 World Cup," he added. "We are looking to the future and these guys have been training together for a long time now. And I think once they get their feet wet they will acquit themselves because they do possess the ability to do well."

Two players Manders feels have come on in leaps and bounds over the years are diminutive all-rounder Hollis and sensational spinner Tucker who has been Bermuda's best bowler on overseas tours at the Under 19 level.

"Tamauri always seems to shine whenever we go on tour while Dennico has the ability to develop into a genuine all rounder," he said.

Earlier this week the Board announced an Under-19 training squad of 31 players, a list containing the best young cricket talent available on the Island.

"We have a lot of young players coming up through the ranks that just require a bit of work on their techniques and mental part of the game. I think what is lacking in most sports in Bermuda at the moment is mental toughness," Manders said.

"This is something we are now trying to instil in the players so that when they reach the senior level we shouldn't encounter any problems with attitudes or mental toughness."