Bermuda's senior national cricket squad is heading to Trinidad & Tobago.

A day after being re-elected unopposed as president of the Bermuda Cricket Board, Reggie Pearman kicked off his new four-year term with the surprise announcement that a tour designed to prepare the team for September's World Cup preliminary competition had been confirmed.

The news from the West Indies Cricket Board was sweet music to the ears of Pearman and national coach Mark Harper who were becoming increasingly worried over the apathy that players had been showing towards early training for the event scheduled for Los Angeles.

"It certainly was good news to get a response like this, hopefully it will jump-start the serious preparations that are required if we are to do well in Los Angeles this summer," said Pearman.

"There is no doubt that the tour itself is a good thing for Bermuda and hopefully it will also be a launching board for the players who haven't shown up for training to date. While emphasis will be placed on training in the Caribbean, the players will also get the opportunity to be involved in a few competitive matches as well."

Tenatative plans call for the team to travel to the Caribbean from May 8 to May 19, but a more detailed itinerary is being drawn up by the WICB.

According to Pearman the BCB took the initiative some time ago, approaching the WICB Chief Development Officer Dr. Michael Seepersaud about the prospects of accommodating the Bermuda team in the Caribbean for serious training.

Seepersaud, who is also acting regional manager for the Americas, informed the local government about the training camp that exists in Trinidad and Tobago and once Bermuda showed an interest steps were taken to secure a place.

"What I am told is that they have a great training camp and facility there and we are indeed excited about taking a squad, now we are working on playing several matches," said Pearman.

He feels that the Board has enhanced its working relationship with the Caribbean by a considerable margin during the past five years and consequently many avenues continue to be opened for Bermudian cricket.

He referred to the invitation extended to young cricketer Stephen Outerbridge to go to the Youth Academy in Grenada and fellow youngsters Jacobi Robinson and Jekon Edness to compete in the West Indies Under-19 tournament while representing the Americas Region.

"We are also working on plans to have a senior team here from the Caribbean this summer and to have our Under-19 squad travel there on tour also, so there is plenty on the cards," Pearman said.

"Also, I might add, we've been made to understand that the WICB have moved the Red Stripe Bowl up to August and if this is true we intend to investigate to see if there is any possibility of us getting into that again. "They are not sure how they are going to run the competition this year but it is something that we may have a look at."

The tour to Trinidad and Tobago was not the only immediate item on the president's agenda yesterday - he was also making final preparations for his trip down to South Africa to attend the semifinals and final of the World Cup.

The all-expenses paid trip is being funded by the United Cricket Board of South Africa who had invited all presidents of ICC associations to attend the competition.

While there Pearman intends ensure his visit is more than a chance to see cricket's premier event.

"Naturally, while there I will hope to talk with as many cricket executives as possible," he said. "Additionally the Americas Cup group will probably have a separate meeting to discuss plans for the region."