Women's national softball team manager Anthony Mouchette is under no illusions regarding the chances the Island has of qualifying for next year's Olympic Games in Atlanta.

After being convincingly trounced in recent years by all four countries -- Puerto Rico, Cuba, Venezuela and Antilles -- they are to face in an Olympic qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico starting next week, those chances would appear to be bleak at best.

However, while conceding that winning the tournament and earning a berth were unrealistic goals at this point, Mouchette insisted that the women would represent the country well and at least be competitive.

"Basically we have played against all four teams before and lost, so our track record is not too favourable,'' explained Mouchette who, along with head coach Richard Basden, has been preparing the team since January. "However, the standard among the team has improved a bit and we should be able to make our presence felt.

"But realistically, we don't have much chance of qualifying.'' Bermuda failed in a bid last year to gain entry into the Olympics, when at last year's World Championships in Canada the team placed 21st, with only the top five gaining automatic berth.

Several from that contingent, including captain Antoinette Williams, remain on the squad and Mouchette was hoping that their prior experiences would be a plus and would rub off on the younger members.

New faces include Toni Richardson, Sophia Knights and Jerry-Lynn Swan, each set to make their international debut.

"Most of the girls have been there before and know what dedication is needed to compete,'' Mouchette continued. "We can be a factor if we play our own game and execute plays that are called for.

"As a team they gel well and there is a lot of harmony between all the players. There are seven or eight on the squad from one team, Warwick, so they really know each other and the harmony is there.'' Pitching was said to be a definite strength, provided it was used correctly, as well as defence at the corners, first and third base, and generally the team has good speed.

Mouchette has stressed the importance of playing solid defence in order to keep opponents' scoring to a minimum.

Full squad: Pitchers -- Donnette Daniels, Stacy Furbert, Yvette Brangman, Nikita Trott. Catchers -- Erica Furbert, Toni Richardson. Infielders -- Terry-Lynn Darrell, Sakina Clarke, Carla Zuill, Nicole Jones, Jerry-Lynn Swan, Sophia Knights. Outfielders -- Thea Furbert, Antoinette Williams, Valerie King, Damina Caisey, Terry-Lynn Paynter. Coach -- Richard Basden. Manager -- Tony Mouchette. Chaperone -- Sheila Basden.