LIFE begins at 40 - or so they say.

Well former St.George's Cup Match skipper Wendell Smith is proving just that.

At a time when most athletes begin contemplating their retirements, Smith is having none of it by making the decision to return at age 42 with league champions St.David's.

But the ball doesn't quite stop rolling there for the veteran as he is venturing to Southampton Oval to help oversee Rangers' youth development programme after being persuaded by former St.Georgian Clevie Wade who is the club's current senior cricket coach to come on board.

"I want to help them (Southampton) as far as developing the skills of someone at their club who wants to work along with me so that they could pick up some of the techniques," said Smith.

"That way I know that I am passing valuable knowledge on to somebody in their programme that will be beneficial to them in the long run.

"Basically what I am trying to do is to help with the development of their youngsters' skills and techniques.

"Its something that I have always enjoyed doing - like when I was down at St.George's coaching youngsters. Obviously it would be a waste of talent if you have the knowledge and skills and don't put it to good use. If you have qualifications and an understanding on how to impart knowledge in a fun manner and a way that helps them (children) enjoy the game even more, then you might as well use that talent," added the veteran who is also the proud bearer of a National Cricket Association (NCA) advanced coaching certificate.

In addition to coaching Rangers' junior teams, Smith has also sent out invitations to all the kids from around the general area to join in for special training sessions in a bid to introduce youngsters between the ages of six and 13 to the sport.

"I've already sent out letters to some of the schools in the area like Purvis, Heron Bay, Southampton Glebe and my own school Paget Primary," he said. "We are just hoping to have some weekly sessions to help the kids develop their own understanding of the game, laws, techniques, overall appreciation of the game.

"It's not so much about winning per se - something that Kenny Thompson emphasises a lot. At youth level we have to make sure children develop the proper skills and techniques . . . you can win a match and not play well while using bad technique.

"So I think that what our children need to do at present - just learn the basic fundamentals of the game."

Meanwhile, Rangers' senior coach Wade remains very much appreciative about having Smith assume such a pivotal role at the South Shore club and he is also fully aware that he has pocketed the services of one of the island's most disciplined cricket scholars.

"Being a principal Wendell possess good mental qualities such as knowledge and patience with children," said Wade. "I felt that he was the one to take our youngsters to the next level as far as the basics are concerned."

Wade went on to note how he approached Smith early in the year and asked the latter if he would be interested in coaching the youngsters.

"He (Wendell) gave it some thought and came back to me a couple of weeks after I had first approached him. Being that he that he stays close by in Warwick, decided to take on the role.

"He is definitely a good coach to have with all the knowledge he possess and already the youngsters around the club are thrilled to have someone of his calibre now at their disposal."