It?s not very often that a local sports team gets chance to qualify for three major events in one fell swoop.

But that?s the prospect facing Bermuda Rugby Football Union?s national seven-a-side squad.

Under the watchful eye of coaches Peter Shillingford and Alvin Harvey, the squad will be putting in their final preparations for the World Cup Sevens qualification tournament, to be held in the Cayman Islands on June 8 and 9, tomorrow afternoon at BAA when the BRFU host the National Sevens Championship.

?It?s not only a spot in the World Cup, to be held in Hong Kong in 2005, that will be up for grabs in Cayman,? explained Shillingford. ?Bermuda can also secure a berth at one of the eight prestigious IRB Sevens tournaments held each year and more importantly allow Bermuda qualification for the Commonwealth Games in Sydney, Australia in 2006.

?The United States are in the ten-nation tournament and are obviously favourites to win a World Cup spot but for the top Caribbean side there will be the reward of the IRB berth and automatic qualification to the Commonwealth Games.

?Last year Trinidad and Tobago were the top side in the Caribbean and went to play in the IRB Sevens tournament in Los Angeles but this year we want that honour for Bermuda and I think our chances are as good as any in the Caribbean.?

Potential players for the national team have been put through their paces by the coaching duo since the domestic rugby season ended in March.

Training has included track work twice a week for two months while over the last six weeks technical sessions have been added, requiring the team to gather for training three to four times each week.

?We?ve worked hard at increasing our fitness level and game orientation,? added Shillingford. ?Obviously sevens is a totally different game from 15s so we are trying to get a structured game plan together.

?The tournament this weekend is primarily to give us some match practice. No matter how fit you are, match practice is essential.?

Providing opposition for the national team at BAA will be the four local clubs ? Mariners, Teachers, Renegades and Police ? along with a BRFU vice-president?s side.

The format for the championships, which begin at 1 p.m., will see two groups of three competing, with the two top in each group advancing to the semi-finals and the respective winners to the final.

This should give the 12-man Bermuda national squad at least three guaranteed games and more likely a fourth when they reach the final, while also allowing Shillingford and Harvey a last look at their charges before embarking on what could be a momentous weekend in the history of Bermuda rugby come June. Bobby Hurdle (captain), Stewart Thomson, Rod Stewart, Simon Green, James Holborn, Chris Naylor, Andre Simons, Andy Tinder, Jeff Sangster, Harry Andrews, Greg Garside, Nathan Brown.

Also scheduled for tomorrow at BAA is an Under-14 all-star match at 3.30 p.m., while the sevens final is scheduled for 6.30 p.m.