A Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) proposal could see coach Herbie Bascome sever ties at Western Stars and join forces with Bermuda's newly formed Under-18 national team who will compete in the Board's First Division this season.

Bascome raised eye-brows earlier this year when he agreed to coach Stars after spending the past few seasons assisting former St.George's head coach George Cannonier at Wellington Oval.

However, it is now understood local cricket's governing body are keen to have the England and Wales Cricket Board (EWCB) certified coach assist in the development of the Island's Under-18l team instead - a potential move that could see his brief tenure as Stars' coach end before the start of the 2008 season.

At press time yesterday Stars veteran all-rounder Gershon Gibbons said Bascome's coaching status at the club remained unclear.

"At the moment we're not too sure what's going on because everything is still fluctuating. It's still being sorted out," Gibbons told The Royal Gazette.

Bascome could not be reached for comment but sources close to the former St.George's Cup Match skipper confirmed that he had already contemplated taking up the Board's offer.

Should the dreadlocked coach opt to leave Stars in favour of coaching the Under-18s, Gibbons admitted his departure would represent a heavy loss for a Stars side going through a rebuilding phase.

"It would definitely be a big blow but we will just have to carry on with business as usual," he said. "In Herbie we were getting a national squad coach which was something we needed because we have lost a lot of senior players over the past few seasons and right now we have a lot of young players.

"Having that type of experience behind us would have been a benefit in terms of development because we have a few good youngsters in Machai Campbell, Brian Hall and Ray Butterfield.

"Herbie's departure would be a setback for us but I guess in the interim we will just have to go with what we have."

Stars, meanwhile, begin their 2008 campaign on Saturday with a 20/20 fixture against PHC at Southampton Oval.

The BCB announced yesterday that the 2008 youth season would begin tomorrow and will run to June 28.

Further details can be found on the BCB website, bermudacricketboard.com or by contacting the BCB on 292-8958.