The time to submit nominations for the International Cricket Council's yearly Development Programme Awards has arrived and once again Bermuda Cricket Board will fancy their chances of sweeping the board in the Americas region.

Four times in the past five years the Island has been named as having the best Development Programme in the Americas, and in 2007 was honoured with a global award by the ICC for the –development of cricket on the –Island.

In the past the BCB have also been honoured for their junior programmes, their women's initiatives, and BCB president Reggie Pearman has received a lifetime achievement award, all of which has been applauded.

However, the awards might also be viewed in the context of the opposition they were won against, and Bermuda's steady decline since they qualified for the World Cup in 2005.

According to the ICC, the awards form part of the governing body's commitment 'to promoting excellence in cricket development outside the ICC's Full Members. The awards are designed to recognise exceptional performance and service to the game in ICC Associate and Affiliate Member countries, highlighting cricket's expanding reach and sharing best practice'.

"The Pepsi ICC Development Programme has seen significant growth in cricket around the world, and these awards are an opportunity to recognise excellence, professionalism and innovation among the cricket development activities of ICC Associate and Affiliate Members," said Matthew Kennedy, the ICC Global Development Manager.

"Previous years have seen some wonderful cricket programmes and initiatives acknowledged and there are sure to be many strong contenders once again this year."

However, Bermuda's main rivals in the Americas region, USA and Canada, barely have a cricket development programme worthy of the name.

In September's ICC Intercontinental Shield match against Ireland, Canada, who will play in next year's World Cup, had only two players who were actually born in the country, the rest were imported from India and Pakistan.

The USA went two better on several occasions this year, including during the ICC Americas tournament held on the Island when they beat Bermuda, and fielded an entire side made up of imports, mostly from the West Indies, with several players who had represented Guyana at the first class level.

Globally the pattern is similar. United Aran Emirates, who are in Division Two alongside Bermuda, brought a 15-man squad with them for the Intercontinental Cup game in July, nine of whom were from the sub continent.

Given the make up of that squad, it would be easy to believe that UAE's development programme was based soley on the Air Emirates flight between –Lahore and Dubai.

Division One countries Netherlands, Ireland and Scotland all have a healthy dose of overseas talent in their line-ups as well.

That contrasts with Bermuda, who's current squad doesn't contain a single player who wasn't born on the Island.

In April at the WCL Divison Two qualifiers, David Moore's side will come up against UAE, and probably USA, who will more than likely win their Division Three tournament in Hong Kong in January.

Given the national team's results over the past two years there is a distinct possibility that Bermuda will finish the tournament in Dubai in April near the bottom and in Division Three, watching as USA pass them going in the opposite direction.

By then though Bermuda may well have wrapped up their fifth –regional 'Best Development –Programme' award. Nominations have to be in by December 20, and regional winners will be announced on January 25, 2011.