St. David's player-coach Clay Smith and batsman Glenn Blakeney say overseas offers made to two of the club's young stars are something all of Bermuda should be proud of.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Chris Foggo is expected to leave for a cricket academy in South Africa early next month while all-rounder O.J. Pitcher is set to join English club side Pyrford of the Surrey County League in May.

The Bermuda Cricket Board of Control is responsible for getting Foggo into the programme while Pitcher has benefited from an invitation extended by former Bermuda national coach Roland Butcher - coach of Pyrford.

The two young players, who were named to train with the senior Bermuda national team for possible selection for the Americas Regional Tournament in Argentina in March, have been making steady progress and their maturity has been recognised by the local cricket fraternity according to Smith.

He said that he was confident that the sky was the limit for the pair if they continued to pursue their goals with the same sort of enthusiasm, dedication and hard work they showed now.

Both the coach and top batsman Blakeney were not surprised to see avenues opening up abroad for the duo.

"It's a great opportunity for both of the youngsters. They worked extremely hard and one of the things that has made them successful is their hunger and their desire to improve and want to be the best cricketer there is in Bermuda,'' said Smith.

"They both have this desire. Every day they go onto the field and in training they always give 100 percent effort and strive to get better. It's amazing that at a young age they are fully aware of the fact that as long as you work hard you have that self-confidence which leads you to believing that you can accomplish anything. I am sure that they will both go abroad and give a good account of themselves.

"I firmly believe that when young Foggo comes back from South Africa there will be similar opportunities opening up for him like the one that has been offered Pitcher, especially with Bermudians expected to be allowed to work in England when we are allowed work permits.

"There will be great opportunities for young players like them to challenge for spots in County teams etc. in four to five years time.

"It will be good for Foggo to get back here from his academy and then to be able to get to England. That's where he will have the opportunity to play much more cricket than they play here and that's what they need - being more active and involved in cricket at a high level will help them and Bermuda cricket in the long run.''

Blakeney supported many of the views expressed.

"I was so excited to hear the news," he said. "I have watched the two of them come up and they have always been promising, very talented and they deserve something like this to happen to them. It's definitely for their betterment and it will certainly enhance their game and in the long run it will be a plus to Bermuda," he said.

"I wasn't surprised they got opportunities like these because of the great talent that they have. They certainly stand out amongst a lot of the youngsters that we have on the Island."