Marquel Waldron has fond memories of the Cayman Islands.

Back in March the unassuming youngster was part of Bermuda's senior team who silenced Cayman's feverishly partisan support by knocking them out of the World Cup qualifiers.

Waldron played the full 90 minutes in the searing Caribbean heat and had regarded the memorable triumph as the proudest moment of his career.

That was until earlier this week, when the 18-year-old had the honour of captaining his country bestowed upon him by Bermuda Under-20s' coach Kentoine Jennings.

Next week Waldron returns to the picturesque island for the Under-20s World Cup qualifying campaign with Bermuda requiring to finish in the top two of a four team group, including hosts Cayman, Puerto Rico and favourites Jamaica.

"I had a great experience last time I went to Cayman with the senior national team and I'm looking forward to another visit. I guess I know what to expect," said Waldron, who plays his domestic football at PHC.

"I'm very proud to be made captain – it's definitely a major career highlight for me. I do feel a responsibility to guide and help my team-mates to play at this higher level."

The versatile defender isn't the only squad member with full international experience. Utility man Kris Frick made a substitute appearance during The Gombey Warriors' historic win in Trinidad last month, while goalkeeper Mikkail Crockwell featured against Barbados recently.

Waldron has noticed a marked difference between the two levels but believes it won't be long before some of his Under-20s' team-mates force their way into Kenny Thompson's plans.

"A lot of these guys have the potential to play for the senior team, but they require more experience and would need to apply themselves better," said Waldron, who attends the University of West Florida next month and is therefore a doubt for the senior squad's Digicel Cup campaign, also in Cayman.

"Guys like Kris Frick, Shayne Hollis and Ian Coke have all played for the Under 23s and are talented players."

For Jennings, the decision to hand Waldron the captaincy was a 'no brainer' and he's likely to form a formidable central defensive partnership with fellow senior squad player Frick.

"Marquel was the obvious choice (for captain). The rest of the players respect him as he has experience of playing with the senior squad," said Jennings. "He's a mature, quiet and patient kind of guy.

" I think Marquel will make a big impact for us at centre-half. He's physical and will be able to cope with the type of players we're likely to be up against."

Jennings expects Jamaica to be the group favourites but said he has little or no knowledge of the merits of either Puerto Rico or Cayman Islands.

Bemuda Under-20s squad: Mikkail Crockwell, Thaj Bell, Miles Brewer, Kemo Harrison, Akil Trott, Jesse Seymour, Marquel Waldron, Roger Lee, GiniKo Butterfield, Ernest Trott, Casey Castle, Philip Parson, Kristofer Frick, Charles Watson, Tumani Steede, Kamauri Brangman, Shayne Hollis, Ian Coke, Raymond Tucker, Pierre Smith.