new leagues at under-13 and under-16 level.

The leagues, backed by a combined total of $30,000 from Shell and BF&M respectively, will comprise two competitions of nine teams drawn from Bermuda's parishes.

Youngsters will have to play for the parish in which they reside.

The under-13 matches will be played on Friday nights over 20 overs a side and the under-16 games, scheduled for Saturdays, will comprise 40 overs each.

The nine weeks of competition, starting on May 8 and 9, will culminate in an All-Star game, after which there will be presentations for the most valuable player and for good conduct on and off the field.

The competition is the first youth competition since the demise of the Shell Youth Tournament eight years ago.

That was disbanded after a row between the sponsors and the previous administration of the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control.

But El James, installed as BCBC president following last July's administrative coup, has been pressing for improvements in the game from the grass roots up and regards this as the first step in re-establishing the Island on the international stage.

James, a former national team fast bowler and hard-hitting middle order batsman, said: "The Shell Youth Tournament as we knew it eight years ago was for the under-19s but this will be a much bigger and better tournament.

"If a small Island like Bermuda goes eight years without a youth programme the senior programme has to suffer and we are suffering right now with a lack of quality players.

But he added: "We are not just looking at the local package, we are also looking at the possibility of giving the boys international exposure right from an early age, much like the Indians and Pakistanis do, so by the time they are 19 we will have some seasoned players.

"Many of the national team players today are products of the old Shell Youth Tournament, such as Clay Smith, who won the Sportsman of the Year award. If we can have a programme that can produce 11, 12 or 13 Clay Smiths then we'll be on the right track.'' Shell sales manager Wayne Soares said: "We're excited to see the rebirth of the tournament.'' BF&M vice president Glenn Gibbons added: "We like the direction the current BCBC executive is going with its emphasis on youth development. This is really going to set the stage for young players to go forward and represent Bermuda on the world stage.'' Youngsters can register for the leagues by picking up forms from their school, the BCBC offices, Shell gas stations or BF&M. The deadline for registration is April 24.