BERMUDA'S junior squash players are gearing up for a major event this summer when the BSRA will host the Junior CASA Squash Championships 2008 from July 11¿19. At least eight countries are expected to participate, including the Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman, Guyana, Jamaica, OECS, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.

Squash spokesman for the BSRA, Roger Sherratt said this week: "The Junior CASA gives our youngsters an opportunity to be involved at several levels. Competition will be fierce for places on our boys and girls teams. We are allowed a maximum of seven players on each team, including two Under 19s, one Under 17, one Under 15, one Under 13 and two reserves. As hosts we are also allowed to enter extra players in the individual championship so even if some of our young players just miss being in the teams, they can still compete and gain valuable international experience. However, to encourage maximum international participation, Bermuda is extending this opportunity to all countries.

"Many of the 140 or more overseas players will be hosted by local families, and we have found that this helps to form lasting friendships with squash players from throughout the Caribbean while also keeping our own youngsters excited about squash."

Sherratt added: "We are also delighted to announce that the title sponsors for this prestigious event will be the Bank of Bermuda Foundation."

Director and Secretary of the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, David Lang, explained: "The Bank of Bermuda Foundation is pleased to be title sponsor of the 2008 Bermuda Junior CASA Championships. We recognise sport as a vital element in the all-round development of Bermuda's young people. Bermuda is brimming with talented young athletes and we see this tournament as a great opportunity for the Island's junior squash players to showcase their skills here at home while developing their confidence and athletic ability as they compete with their peers from throughout the Caribbean."

Sherratt said: "During the 40 or more years I've been involved in Bermuda squash I've never seen greater interest than there is right now. We have a terrific junior programme with some 200 children playing on a regular weekly basis, and more than 6,000 schoolchildren's visits during the past year alone." Sheerratt said other sponsors are the Department of Youth and Sport and Bermuda Blueprinting."