BERMUDA is set to host the ICC Under-15 Regional Championship next month for the first time. Bermuda will also have two teams in the tournament which will feature national teams from the US, Canada, Cayman Islands and the Bahamas.

And ironically Bermuda's two teams ¿ named the Bermuda National U15s and the Bermuda U15 Development XI ¿ will meet in the opening game at Police Recreation Club on Monday, August 4.

It could be one of the most keenly contested matches said Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) development director Arnold Manders yesterday.

"If the first team (National U15s) don't pull up their socks the second team (U15 Development XI) will beat them. A lot of the players are going to have points to prove because some who are in the second team will want to show they should be in the first team although I don't like to use the terms 'first and second teams'."

And to get ready for this tournament, the BCB sent down the majority of players to a training camp in Barbados where they have also played four matches ¿ winning three and losing one by only 14 runs.

"The coaches have been pleased with the players," said Manders adding that having the youngsters go to Barbados was a good way to get them to bond. "We also have a hectic schedule and do not have the grounds available here. We knew this tournament was coming up and in order to prepare the boys we sent them down there. We wanted for them to be together for some time ¿ that is something we are looking to do with all of our teams. They are together in a different country and the coaches have them all the time."

Three of the Under-15 squad in Barbados have also been playing with the Under-18 national side in the Sir Garfield Sobers Tournament. Those player are Joshua Gilbert, Deunte Darrell and Tre Govia.

"The Under-18 team is a young team and they have exceeded what we thought they would do," said Manders.

The U15 Regional Championship is a biennial event which Bermuda has won four out the the last five times being beaten only by the US in 2006 in a match reduced to 15 overs due to bad weather. Since there is no Under-15 World Cup, this is the highest level of competition these young players can play in.

Bermuda's National U15 team will be coached by Grant Smith and Allan Douglas while the U15 Development XI will be coached by George Cannonier, Winston Reid and John Carey.

Manders said: "We really hope the public comes out and supports not only our teams but the tournament as a whole as it is an all-Bermuda event ¿ all of the umpires and scorers are from Bermuda."

Asked who he expected to test the Bermuda teams, Manders said: "I know Canada will be sending a strong team and the US will also have a strong team."

BCB president Reggie Pearman said: "I would like to thank the Bank of Bermuda Foundation once again for their support of the tournament, Dunkley's, the Ministry of Transport and Digicel and all the clubs."

The tournament will be played at Police Recreation Club, Somerset CC, St. David's, Bailey's Bay, Southampton Rangers, St. George's CC and the National Sports Centre.