overshadowed by the start of the senior domestic programme next weekend.

Horton, now a vice-president of Bermuda Cricket Board of Control and chairman of the Board's Youth Development Programme, insisted that equal significance should be attributed to the youth programme, particularly at a time when Bermuda was working hard to rejuvenate the sport.

"I expect everybody is happy to see cricket about to start again, but to the many fans out there I want to say let's not forget about the youth action as well, let's go out and support them too,'' pleaded Horton.

"It's our second straight year of supporting the youth tournament, and we are delighted that once again Shell and BF&M have come aboard as sponsors to make it possible.'' The senior programme gets underway on Sunday, May 2 but the following weekend will see a full slate of games in the Shell/BF&M Youth League with matches scheduled for Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8.

The Under-13 league, sponsored by Shell, will see matches played on Friday evenings starting at 5.30 p.m. while the Under-17 league, sponsored by BF&M, will be held on Saturdays starting at 12 noon.

Horton noted that what was originally the Under-16 division is now Under-17 to ensure that the 16-year-olds who played last year will be able to continue their development at the youth level.

"We just don't want to lose them,'' asserted the chairman.

The success of the inaugural programme last year combined with an outstanding tour of Toronto by the Under-16s had paved the way for another exciting season this year, he said.

"These young people certainly deserve our support. Last year when we started the programme, we had tremendous excitement amongst the players. We saw a lot of development, we saw them grow as the season went on and it was just wonderful to see the young men out there in white again after so many of years of having no youth cricket at all.

"We are very pleased with what happened last year. At the end of the season we had a tour to Toronto which was tremendous for the young men because they had an opportunity to travel, to see another country as well as to play cricket against another country.

"The boys handled themselves so well. We were extremely proud of their behaviour, their attitude on and off the field and the fact that they represented Bermuda very well indeed.'' One of the main attractions this season will be a reciprocal tour to Bermuda by the Canadian Under-17 side. Tentative plans have them playing six games from August 12-19.

The Board consider the tour as an important part of the season as it will provide locals with an opportunity to match their skills against formidable international opponents for the second straight year.

"Like anything, if you don't develop young people then your programme stops.

You must have a succession plan so to speak. This is our youth development programme and when our current senior players stop playing we want good players to take their place. And we think that we are providing the stage for these young people to develop into being some of the best cricketers in Bermuda by providing them with the opportunity,'' said Horton.

"It is also important to note the fact that BF&M and Shell have seen fit to support youth cricket again, it proves that they believe in the youth in Bermuda. Our young people need to have the opportunity to develop their skills whether it be at sporting or academic level and they also need the whole support of the community.''