coach, according to president Ed Bailey.

Bailey said yesterday that the board "are in the process of advertising for a full-time coach'' and locals would be considered.

Among the successful applicant's responsibilities will be revival of the Island's flagging youth programme which has been suffering from a lack of numbers for several years.

Preparing players for international competitions, such as the ICC and International Youth Tournament, would also be high on his agenda.

"What we want is someone to oversee the whole development programme from the youngsters, to the schools to club level,'' said Bailey. "Administrators, who are only volunteers, can't really run these things and we need to have someone on the ground level to make sure they are operated efficiently.'' The post would be for eight months each year, between April and November.

Doug Ferguson was the Island's last national cricket coach. He was relieved of his post in 1993 following almost two years' service.

Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding helped the Bermuda team during the build-up to this year's ICC tournament in Kenya, but was never officially named as national coach.

One person who could be in line for the post, if interested, is former Bailey's Bay fast bowler George Rock, who recently returned to the Island after several years abroad. Rock, originally from Barbados, previously held the position during the early 1980s.

Still to be worked out are financial details and the securing of final approval from the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation.