On paper they may not appear to be Bermuda’s strongest ever Under-19 national team.

But assistant coach Andre Manders remained confident in the ability of his young charges on the eve of the squad’s departure today for Barbados where they will compete in the annual Sir Gary Sobers International Schools Tournament.

Last year Bermuda finished second in their age group in the same tournament and expectations are high this time around. And with the “right mental approach, required application out in the middle and overall commitment to the cause”, coach Manders sees no reason why his youngsters shouldn’t be able to at least equal, or even surpass, last year’s achievement.

“Basically this will be like a training camp but we still have to take things very seriously. We may not win every game, but we certainly aren’t going there to lose,” Manders declared. “We are going to compete and basically keep team spirit and harmony together.”

It’s harmony that Manders believes will be central to the Island’s bid next month in Toronto to qualify for next year’s Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia.

Another key objective on tour, the coach said, would be “to iron out a few remaining kinks” such as finding the best opening partnership and getting the batsmen to bat out the full quota of overs.

“There are still a few things that need to be ironed out like running between the wicket and of course everybody knows our batting is not as strong as we would like it to be,” added Manders.

“But everybody will get the chance to play so that we can can try out different things. And hopefully we can get some good results.”

St. George’s Cup Match all-rounder Rodney Trott will lead the team in the Caribbean along with deputy Malachi Jones. And while there may be one or two concerns over the batting order, undoubtedly the team’s strength lies in the bowling department where Trott and Jones will shoulder much of the responsibility.

Others who will be relied upon to deliver with the ball are proven seamers Kearon Trott, Jordan DeSilva, Kyle Hodsoll and Tumari Tucker.

In Stephen Bremar jr, Khiry Furbert and Regino Smith, the Under-19s have three recognised wicketkeepers in a team comprised of at least six genuine all-rounders.

Since the team stepped up their World Cup preparations last February, the players appeared to have gelled.

“The guys have really been committed to the cause and have trained extremely hard,” Manders said. “These guys are very organised and willing to play.”

Manders said he had noted an overall improvement in the players’ standard of play and credited their progress to Bermuda Cricket Board’s decision to have the team compete in the Premier Division this season.

“I think putting them in the league has really helped them a lot. They knew that they had to raise their game and having them play together has kept the team tightly knitted,” he said.

“These guys are role models and our job as coaches is to try and prepare them for when they reach the senior national level and discipline-wise we have had no real issues.”

With the team bidding to improve upon their last showing in Barbados, one player Manders is delighted to see return to form is all-rounder Chris Douglas who appears to be peaking with both bat and ball at the right moment.

“I think Chris is really coming into his own now with the bat and also taking wickets,” he said. “He has really put a lot of work into his batting and fitness while his bowling has always been okay.

The Sir Gary Sobers International Schools Tournament officially begins tomorrow with the opening ceremony, with Bermuda scheduled to play their first match on Monday against opponents yet to be determined.

The team return from the Caribbean on July 27.

Under-19 squad: Rodney Trott (capt.), Malachi Jones (vice captain), Stephen Bremar jr (wicketkeeper), Kearon Trott, Lamar Richardson, Chris Douglas, Tre Govia, Jordan DeSilva, Dennico Hollis, Kyle Hodsoll, Tumari Tucker, Terryn Fray, Khiry Furbert, Maurico Bassett, Regino Smith, Greg Maybury.