for First Division soccer matches, with a couple of factors contributing to Bermuda Football Association's decision to schedule fewer games on Sundays.

In fact, just one Sunday -- the final day of the league season on March 30 -- will see all five First Division games played. Nine Sundays will feature four matches and eight others will see only three.

That, says BFA general secretary David Sabir, gives fans the opportunity to watch as many as three First Division games every weekend.

And with the continued shortage of referees, fewer games on a Sunday will ease the demand for officials on what has been traditionally football's busiest day.

"What we're trying to do is take the strain off the entire system involved in operating the league schedule,'' said Sabir.

"In particular, by spreading games over the weekend it allows the referees to move from one match to another, taking into consideration the acute shortage of referees that we currently have.'' One ref not expected to be in action this season is Class I official, Roddy Burchall, who recently had brain surgery overseas.

"The second thing is an attempt to maximise the potential of spectators frequenting one location on, say, a Friday night and a Saturday as opposed to five locations on a Sunday,'' added Sabir.

"We're hoping to showcase all games as much as possible, and hopefully this will be expressed in the revenues taken through clubs' gates. We are giving fans the opportunity to follow their clubs without compromise.'' The league programme begins next Friday night with a First and Second Division double-header at PHC Stadium as champions Vasco take on St. David's and Social Club meet Somerset in the 7.00 opener.

Then on the Saturday, Devonshire Colts play PHC at their new home ground, BAA Field, with the three matches on Sunday seeing St. George's hosting Southampton Rangers, Devonshire Cougars playing Dandy Town and North Village taking on PHC.

The early rounds of the FA Challenge Cup, which involve the Second Division and Commercial League teams, will no longer be called the elimination and preliminary rounds. Instead the tournament will start with the first round proper on October 20 when 11 matches are scheduled.

The First Division teams will come into the event in the third round, after which will be the quarter-finals.