with both sponsors Shell and Bermuda Football Association expressing delight over the programme's success.

Finals at Bernard Park on Saturday involved teams representing each of the five divisions, including the only all-female side, Wolves of the Mini-Minor B Division.

Troy Harvey, co-ordinator of the BFA's youth programme, said yesterday: "It was easily one of the most successful seasons we have ever had in youth soccer and much of the credit has to go to the sponsorship of Shell along with the hard work by our committee. Things ran pretty smoothly from start to finish.

"The committee appointing someone as youth coordinator was a big step because it left one person to run the league and the rest of the committee to support, but it was definitely a team effort by the group as a whole.'' Shell spokesman Wayne Soares expressed his excitement about the future of youth soccer, noting that 45 teams had registered this season.

"The BFA have put a very good package together and I think the fact that we are supporting so many young Bermudians can only be a positive thing for the community,'' he said.

Harvey applauded the company for taking the initiative to assist the association in running a "much needed programme for the youth in Bermuda.'' The financial value of the company's investment was not declared, but it is believed that most of their funding went towards paying the many referees that were required on Saturday mornings, plus the cost of renting fields.

"We have worked hard with the BFA on this programme and we are constantly working on improvements all of the time. We are simply trying to provide some goodwill and help the young people of this Island in their development,'' added Soares.