BERMUDA'S national volleyball team has been granted permission to enter the World Championships after American authorities relaxed residency qualifications.

It means Bermuda will be entering the Caribbean qualifiers next year as the national team widens its international exposure.

Previously the team has had limited opportunities to play abroad apart from the Island Games.

But Beth Rae, co-president of the Bermuda Volleyball Association, says that's all about to change.

She told the Mid-Ocean News: "We recently got news from the North American governing body that they will allow all residents to play for Bermuda.

"It's a big deal for us as we have been limited about what we can compete in."

Bermuda now stands a chance of playing in the World Championships in 2010 while the qualifiers will be in the Caribbean sometime between January and May 2009.

"It's a fantastic opportunity and great exposure. We will be playing teams like the Bahamas, Barbados, the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands," said Rae.

But it will be unknown territory for the team which has had precious little exposure against Caribbean outfits, said Rae who went to Rhodes last year for the Island Games where the women's team lost its bronze medal match.

"Our initial goal would be to get past the first qualifying tournaments but, because we are untested, we don't know where we stand."

The women's team has tournaments scheduled in Canada in January while an open tournament with North American and Caribbean senior teams is also planned for Bermuda said Rae.

"We are also trying to get some Canadian teams and the Caymans to come," she said.

The date will depend on the availability of the visitors but could involve four teams.

Bermuda is also looking forward to the Island Games in Aaland next July.

Meanwhile the domestic game goes from strength to strength.

The 16th Annual Crystal Clear Corporate Volleyball Tournament six-a-side co-ed tournament will be held at Saltus Grammar School in Pembroke on Saturday. The tournament is open to non-BVA members and is intended to introduce new people to the sport in a fun community event.

This year there are at least 10 more teams entering than last year brining the total to nearly 50 sides, meaning an extra 80-plus players will enjoy the action.

Rae, who has been playing for 21 years, and has been national team coach for four years isn't surprised the game is so popular.

She said "It's a great team sport. There's a saying that you are only as strong as your weakest link and this is such a team sport ¿ you have to play together and you can't have any individuals.

"It's such a great atmosphere because you have that team environment."

The BVA boasts hundreds of people on the roster with around 120 summer teams. And Rae said the BVA is also trying to start a youth programme to begin in the fall and run for the first couple of months of 2009.

"It would focus on high school students," she said.

However there are no plans to repeat the hosting of the World Under-19s beach tournament which ran on Horseshoe Bay in 2006 but was battered by Hurricane Florence as players from around the globe battled for the crown.

Rae said: "Quite honestly the infrastructure it takes to host one of those is enormous and we are not in a position to do it again at the moment. We need to get full time people working at the BVA."