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Top youngsters must play in Premier Division, says Manders

Bermuda’s best young cricketers are being encouraged to play in the Premier Division next season even if that means leaving their current clubs.The likes of PHC pair Kamau Leverock and William White, Western Stars batsman Tre Manders, and Somerset duo Joshua Gilbert and Kamel Easton could all be on the move this winter if Bermuda Under-19s assistant coach Andre Manders has his way.Leverock though, who has just been made captain of –Premier Division strugglers PHC, is being linked with a –possible move to First Division Flatts Victoria next season to team up with uncle Dwayne Leverock and Somerset Cup Match team-mate Kevin Hurdle.Manders has other ideas and with several members of the under-19s likely to play a part in Bermuda’s bid to regain their World Cricket League Division Two status in 2013, as well as play in their own qualifying tournament, the coach is keen to have his charges playing at as high a level as possible.“I want most of our under-19s to be playing at a higher level, definitely,” said Manders.“There is a good chance that some of those boys are going to be leaving (their clubs). In order for them to improve they’ve got to play at a higher level.”Manders though is in a difficult position because he’s also coach of First Division side Western Stars who are battling with Cleveland for promotion to the top flight and his stance means they could lose several good players, including son Tre and skipper Brian Hall, if they miss out.However, the Stars coach said he was focused on the bigger –picture and if his team don’t –succeed he will tell Tre Manders and others to leave and also said Leverock must quit relegation threatened PHC if they don’t survive the drop.“Me personally, and I have been thinking about this all the time with my son, I want him (Tre) to play at a higher level,” said Manders.“I want him in the Premier Division. I’ve already told him that if we don’t get promoted he should leave.“I want him to be playing against good players, good teams, each weekend.“Kamau (Leverock) wanted to come to Western Stars this season, but I told him to stay at PHC because he would be playing at a higher level.“If they (PHC) get relegated he’s going to have to leave too, but he’s already talked about that.”Manders revealed that he has already had several enquiries from top flight clubs about son Tre, but Leverock, Gilbert and Tre Manders may yet find themselves all playing together in the top flight next season with Bermuda Cricket Board said to considering placing an under-19 team in the Premier Division next year.While the BCB have said any official discussion will only take place once this season has come to an end, Manders confirmed that the idea had been talked about among BCB officials already this season.“There are two clubs that have asked me already (about taking Tre) and the season isn’t even finished yet,” said Manders. “I’m going to let him decide, we’ve talked about it already but he knows I want him to move, to make that step up.“I’m not going to send him and others to a club where they’re not training. I mean, Bailey’s Bay is very interesting, you’ve got Stephen Outerbridge and Irving Romaine down there, so I wouldn’t mind him playing for Bay.“But I’m not going to send him somewhere like Southampton Rangers where they only train once a week and have other –issues too.”