For the first time since its inception in 1965-66, the Friendship Trophy competition will kick off tomorrow in early-afternoon sunshine and not under floodlights which has traditionally been the case.

In recent years gate revenues from the competition have decreased considerably as a result of many supporters opting not to attend matches ? traditionally played in midweek under the lights ? during the cooler winter months, according to Bermuda Football Association (BFA).

This in turn has prompted the association to explore new initiatives in the hope of stimulating and encouraging fans to turn up in throngs ? such as staging the 38 year-old competition during the day along with the First Division Shield competition.

?Over the last couple of years the Friendship Trophy competition has not been really a drawing point for large crowds and the committee got together and decided that something had to be done,? explained BFA league and cup committee chairman Charles Clarke yesterday.

?This competition has never before been played on a Sunday as normally it was played during the week under the lights. But as things continue to evolve they also tend to change.

?And we believe that by staging double headers on a Sunday larger crowds will come out because as the weather becomes cooler people tend not to come out to football games as much. So by moving these matches to Sundays we hope to generate bigger crowds.?

Clarke believes staging double-headers on weekends as opposed to midweek encounters will also remove some of the strain from the association as it relates to scheduling matches.

Last year saw the Martonmere Cup Competition stage round robin matches on a Sunday for the first time due to the unavailability of floodlights at club venues in the wake of hurricane Fabian and also the Friendship Trophy Final postponed for the first time in local history after violence flared up at Wellington Oval.

Tomorrow, however, will only see only two Friendship Trophy matches actually get underway as the matches involving Dandy Town and North Village and Somerset Trojans and Boulevard have been postponed as a result of a late directive handed down by BFA executives prohibiting all national team players from suiting up this weekend prior to the national squad?s departure to St.Vincent on Monday for the Digicel Cup.

Town and Trojans each have three players among their ranks involved with the national team and, as such, have exercised an option to have their respective matches postponed.

Another club hard-hit by the association?s directive, PHC Zebras, have decided to play their Friendship fixture at Southampton Oval against Somerset Eagles despite having six players involved with the national squad and therefore not permitted to suit up tomorrow.

In the remaining Friendship Trophy contest, Devonshire Cougars host last season?s Friendship semi-finalists Southampton Rangers at Devonshire Recreation Club.

Meanwhile, in First Division Shield action, Hamilton Parish take on high-flying Ireland Rangers at St.John?s Field, Devonshire Colts meet X Roads Warriors at Southampton Oval, Social Club and St.David?s lock horns at Somerset Cricket Club while Prospect take on Paget at the Den.