Bermuda women's hockey team are fired up and raring to go in their first international tournament for more than two years.

The Island is hosting the Women's Pan Am Cup this month and Bermuda go into the event knowing a top six finish will give them a spot at one of three World Cup qualifiers at the end of the year.

Winning just one game in the pool stages of the tournament should be enough to secure that spot, and with Mexico or Jamaica the likely opponents, confidence in the squad is high.

Bermuda lost narrowly to both sides in the 2006 CAC games, and head coach Gareth Tavares believes his team are more than capable of winning this time around.

"I definitely think that a top six finish is in our grasps as I believe that we have the ability to compete with Mexico and Jamaica," said Tavares.

"During the 2006 CAC's we lost by two goals to both Mexico and Jamaica and in those games I felt that the two goal margin could have easily been erased by eliminating a lapse in concentration." Tavares is not about to let lightening strike twice and has put his side through an intensive training schedule since September last year.

"During the lead up to the CAC games we started preparing more than 10 months before the tournament which turned out to be too long and drawn out," he said.

"I think that a shorter more intense and focused programme was in order for this tournament.

"Between now and the start of the tournament the ladies only have one day off which is going to be both mentally and physically tough.

"As part of our training schedule we have been playing against the men's league teams on Friday evenings over the past few months.

"This has proved to be a great way for the ladies to play at a higher pace and physicality than they are accustomed to.

"We have also scheduled two warm-up games against Canada and Jamaica prior to the start of the tournament which will give us an idea of where our preparations are."

Not having played an international tournament for two years makes it difficult to judge where Bermuda stand alongside the likes of Mexico and Jamaica, but Tavares doesn't believe that his side will be at any disadvantage.

And far from lacking in experience, Bermuda's team has an average age of 27, share 127 international caps between them, and have eight surviving members from the 2006 CAC squad.

"As far as I am aware, Mexico are in the same situation as us with regards to not playing international hockey in the past 2 years.

"Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica have each played one more tournament in the past two years so I don't think they will be at a significant advantage.

"The feeling in the camp is more excitement than fear. As we get closer to the tournament I can definitely sense the excitement growing.

"We will play positive attacking hockey, and in every game we play we will compete to the last second regardless of the score."

n Bermuda will warm-up for the Women's Pan American Cup with two friendly matches next week against Canada (Tuesday 5.30 p.m.) and Jamaica (Thursday 5.30 p.m).