TWO years ago Under-19 rugby was just getting going.Now Bermuda are preparing to enter the Under-19 Caribbean Championships for the first time.

Bermuda will play at least two games in the Caymans in July with the hosts being the hot favourites after taking the crown last year.

Coach James (Herbie) Adderley said: "The winners of the tournament qualify for the next round of the World Cup qualification – it is quite a major achievement to win the Caribbean Championships."

But the other teams will also be tough going with Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Barbados and Guyana all in contention in the July 4-11 tournament.

"They will all be very fast. We are a fast team but down there we can't rely just on our speed – the guys can't get complacent and just run it in," said Adderley. "They are going to have to develop their rugby skills." But although Bermuda are newcomers to the tournament Adderley believes the players can hold their own.

"I think we are turning some heads now after what I have heard – the reports from the other coaches who have played against the other islands.

"They are very happy with our level of rugby. We have a good local basis as well as a lot our boys play at schools overseas."

And Bermuda certainly won't go to Cayman unprepared. In March Providence College, Rhode Island and Ashbury College from Canada are due a visit for a mini tournament involving four games.

And at the Easter weekend old sparring partners Brookline visit from Boston with two games arranged over one weekend.

"It's a little hard on the kids but they like it. They did it last year," said Adderley.

The first game will be part of the Easter Classic tournament at the National Sport Centre on Saturday and then Bermuda will play Brookline at BAA field on Sunday.

They squad went on their first tour last summer to Ontario, Canada where 'The Young Byes' defeated Oakville Crusaders 25-17 and followed it up with a 54-0 trouncing of Burlington Centaurs.

Some of Adderley's young charges have been doing well in select first-team matches such as the recent George Duckett tournament.

Scrum-half Shauntino Simons has regular action with Teachers as well as select Bermuda national team matches and other players catching the eye include Colin Campbell, Andre Landy and Kai Edwards.

Adderley said: "People have been really noticing them maturing over the last 18 months. The plan is for them to go into men's first team rugby starting next year."

And the Under-19s have played a lot of Friday night rugby against second-string adult teams.

"Our boys played a men's select team from the BRFU over New Year's Day and only just lost."

The programme started when Adderley and fellow coach Anthony Cupidore threw together a side to play a touring team two years ago.

"We fell in love with the kids and kept it going basically. To keep the thing alive we have to get them matches. Kids only train if there is a game at the end of it. So we have secured these matches."

The programme starts at 5.30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Whitney Institute but it's not just about sport said Adderley.

The ethos is to help the players get an education and also help them with jobs. "It is a great atmosphere," added the coach.