Arnold Manders sits comfortably, hands resting behind his head, in his spacious and smartly furnished office smiling contentedly as he outlines his vision for Bermudian cricket.

Surrounded by physical education paraphernalia and framed family photographs, he infectiously talks with childlike enthusiasm about his “monumental” challenge as the Island’s new director of cricket development.

But even Manders’ laconic demeanour can’t disguise the full magnitude of this newly created role, and it is unlikely life will be quite so sanguine when he leaves his post as head of physical education at Berkeley College.

In short, Manders’ broad mandate is to implement a rolling four-year national development programme across all levels and age groups, increase the number of young people playing cricket in schools and clubs, put in place policies to raise the standard of play and ensure head coach Gus Logie’s coaching philosophy is adhered to at all national levels.

It is an unprecedented task, with Manders under no illusions of the job ahead and he would be forgiven for wondering quite where to start his long and arduous journey.

While it may appear he is stepping into former Bermuda international Wendell Smith’s shoes, his predecessor’s role was far less expansive, leaving Manders entering uncharted waters without a slip-stream.

“It’s going to be a monumental challenge but one that excites me, and if I can implement everything I want then I believe Bermuda will be a major force in the ICC Trophy once again,” he says.

“I’m under no illusions about the challenge ahead but if I’m to achieve my goals then I will need the unequivocal support of the BCB, clubs, schools, corporate sponsors and general public — I can’t achieve them alone. It’s not going to be all rosy and I’m sure it will feel like I’m banging my head against a brick wall on occasions. But this is a new post so I suppose I’m a trailblazer.”

Perched on top of his bustling, busy desk is a laptop with an image of a crouched Dean Minors in World Cup action against Bangladesh with the words: “Building the pathway for the stars of tomorrow” emblazoned above the helmeted keeper.

It is an appropriate title for Manders’ mandate considering he has earmarked schools as the foundation from where to lay his first bricks — a level he believes technical inadequacies can easily be ironed out.

“There’s no point starting at the top of the tree and working your way down,” affirms Manders. “That’s been the problem with Bermudian cricket over the last ten years, we have neglected the junior level.

“I know I have to start from the root of the problem and work my way up and schools represent the foundation. Our technique has to improve, especially batting, and it’s easy to install at a younger age.

“I aim to identify the top 30 players under ten-years-old and create a development squad and have them coached purely for a year. Then I would like to slowly introduce them to competitive matches such as the <\d> annual under-13 St Kitts cricket competition.

“The core strategy of my vision involves schools and clubs. I aim to strengthen the link between them with the objective of providing a pathway for more youngsters into the game.”

The 48-year-old believes Bermuda’s clubs must form a tighter umbrella and will be meeting representatives to try and “sell” his vision of an accreditation scheme.

Within the programme Manders wants all clubs to have a junior, senior and women’s section with a view to improving the standard of equipment, facilities, coaching and increase accountability.

“If I can get four or five of clubs involved in a pilot scheme I think the rest will come onboard. Some may not be responsive initially but once they realise this is for their benefit I don’t see why they would work against me.

“It would offer coaching certification workshops and allow qualified coaches to assist with their programmes.”

In March government grants, ranging from $20,000 to $75,000, were given to Bermudian cricket clubs to go towards upgrading playing fields, providing adequate changing rooms, purchasing equipment and improving training facilities.

But stories have since emerged that training nets have not been maintained, while in some cases it has been reported equipment is still to be erected and merely gathering up cobwebs.

Manders’ accreditation scheme would make clubs more accountable for new training equipment and also provide assistance in terms of knowledge and maintenance.

“It’s no good just giving clubs money or equipment and letting them get on with it — they must be accountable,” he says. “Checks need to be made to ensure it’s all being used appropriately — or being used at all.

“There was talk of clubs being given video camera’s to assist with analysing players’ technique, but what’s the point if coaches don’t know how to use them?

“We all need to work together to tackle these problems and it’s vital every club on the Island has adequate training facilities for senior and junior players.

“But it’s no good having excellent training equipment if you don’t have excellent coaches - the two go hand-in-hand and there lies another problem.

“I’m not even sure how many qualified coaches we have in Bermuda and I will be collecting a database. I want to increase the number of qualified coaches and provide more coaching courses for the cricketing fraternity at all levels. But by 2011 I want to have an ECB level III Bermudian coach, with all clubs having a level II coach. In order to achieve that overseas opportunities for coaching development would be provided.”

It is ironic Bermudian cricket is requiring such a revolutionary overhaul of its structure just months after appearing at the World Cup — the sport’s pinnacle.

On the surface, and to the outside world, it seemed Bermuda cricket was a picture of health in Trinidad, yet in reality it was rotting and in decline.

In fact Manders believes the national game is nowhere near as strong as it was ten years ago and has been usurped by football and the sport of choice by many young Islanders.

“When things were going well we stopped developing youth cricket — that’s the problem,” he says “The youngsters lose interest, get attracted by other sports and now football is more popular.

“However, we have a strong under-19s team and it’s important they remain focused. They have some very talented players.

“Hopefully we can get more young players on scholarships at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff — the training ground for English cricket talent.

“Stephen Outerbridge and Jekon Edness are currently there and there’s talk of Malachi Jones also being taken on.”

As a young charge Manders himself refined his trade in England as a member of the Lord’s groundstaff in the late 1970s, and rubbed shoulders with the touring Australian team including legendary paceman Dennis Lillee.

Following his education at the home of cricket he was invited for Middlesex trials but declined due to a restriction of overseas players at each county.

With two positions up for grabs, Manders would have been challenging West Indian’s Desmond Haynes and Wayne Daniel — understandably he envisaged limited playing opportunities.

“I had a great time on the Lord’s groundstaff and my batting really came on,” reflects Manders. “I know at first hand how important good coaching is although I did become a little defensive while I was there.

“The Aussies came over for the Ashes and I had a few net sessions with them. Looking back it was a pretty good time.”

Those halcyon days may be long gone but Manders’ unbridled love for cricket has not wavered and he is champing at the bit to get his teeth into his new role.s

“It’s probably going to be a 24/7 job” he grins, “I’m not sure my wife will like it.”