With the cricket season fast approaching, the new Bermuda Cricket Board Youth Development Committee are hoping to attract some of the island’s nascent sporting talent to the game.

Chaired by David Horan, the principal at Warwick Academy, who was elected to the position at the BCB’s annual general meeting late last year, the nine-strong committee has hit the ground running with coach Courtney Trott hosting sessions in schools.

“Courtney has started going into primary schools to work alongside the PE teachers.” Horan said.

“This is an initiative that we are going to continue all the way through into June to culminate with the ICC Senior Men's T20 World Cup Qualifiers to be held at the NSC North Field from June 21 to 27.

“This will cover public and private schools with the aim to spread the message about cricket. We are hoping to foster enthusiasm for the sport and in turn assist cricket clubs in finding youth players.“

Horan is keen to oversee thriving youth leagues with the deadline of Friday for the island’s cricket clubs to register U7, U9, U12, U15 and U18 youth teams for the upcoming season starting in April, with player registration commencing the week after.

In addition, to help identify the next generation of grassroots talent, the committee has revamped their Pee Wee Have-a-Go Cricket programme.

Entirely free for girls and boys aged from 5 to 7, the programme is designed to provide a fun introduction to cricket using simple games and activities to build skills, confidence and love for the game.

The hour-long sessions take place every Sunday for five weeks from February 22 to March 22 at Bermuda College Field. To take part all you need to do is register for free here

“We want to appeal to the very youngest, have them learn the game, learn key skills and start to fall in love with the sport,” Horan said

“The long term goal is to turn preseason into all-season and establish opportunities throughout the year for youth cricketers.”