The Bermuda Cricket Board National Academy Under-19 Squad took part in five days of preparations before flying to Toronto on July 7th for the ICC Americas Under 19 World Cup Qualifier. A tournament being staged at Maple Leaf Cricket Club between July 8th and 13th, with the 14th as the Reserve Day. The winner of the tournament will compete in the ICC Under-19 World Cup being held in the United Arab Emirates in February 2014.
The pre-tour preparation clinic was supported by the XL Foundation and allowed Bermuda’s U19 Coach, Irving Romaine and Specialist Bowling Coach Lorenzo Tucker to prepare the squad for the Toronto tournament, according to the Bermuda Cricket Board.
Bermuda’s U19 Coach, Irving Romaine, outlined the training program,
“The pre-tour preparation clinic has been designed to simulate tournament conditions two days of hard work, a rest day, which involved swimming and recovery, and then back to two days of full cricket training. During the week players are working hard on fielding drills, match scenarios and mental toughness preparation. There is also a fitness component which involves training at Horseshoe Bay sand-dunes. The team is gelling well especially now that the overseas players have joined the squad.”
The preparations included a life-skills development component, which Coach Romaine outlined:
“The team took part in a session conducted by Mirrors which focused on team building, mental strength development and setting achievable targets. The players discussed the role of the coach, player and spectator and explored how they related and acted towards those individuals. The session had a strong focus on goal setting which got the players thinking about setting achievable and measureable goals both on the field and in their personal lives. Mirrors will follow-up with the players over the next few months to ensure they are maintaining their goals.”
Lloyd Fray, the President of the Bermuda Cricket Board, paid thanks for the support from the XL Foundation:
“On behalf of the Board I would like to thank the XL Foundation for their continued support of our National Academy and Mirrors who provide an important personal life-skill development component to our academy. The BCB National Academy Program has been designed to provide elite young cricketers of Bermuda the opportunity to develop life skills and cricket skills, knowledge and understanding to enhance their performance and provide opportunities for them to play at a first class or International level. I wish this team success as they attempt to qualify for the ICC U19 World Cup.”
　
The Bermuda Cricket Board announced the 14 players and 3 officials that will be travelling to Toronto on July 7 to compete against USA and Canada in the U19 regional qualifier. The winner will proceed to the U19 CWC in UAE in February 2014.
Irving Romaine has been appointed as Head Coach, Clevie Wade, the current U19 Head Coach, is unavailable for this competition.
Lloyd Fray, President of the BCB said, “I am very pleased by the work that the young men have been putting in at our National Academy over the winter and this spring in preparation for this important tournament. We have done an immense amount of work to ensure that our UK based players are available and ready for this tour.
“I commend their schools and parents for working diligently to ensure that no boy’s academic efforts are compromised by the international commitments. The squad has 5 players that have already made their senior debut and I hope that they can be leaders and key figures in our results. I truly believe that if this squad can play to their potential Bermuda has a great opportunity to return to the world stage.”
The Bermuda U19 squad comprises: Joshua Gilbert (Captain) Kamau Leverock (Vice-captain), Tre’ Manders, Delray Rawlins, Onias Bascome, Kamel Easton, Christian Gibbons, Shaquille Jones, Christian Burgess, Alex Dore, Kwasi James, Zeko Burgess, Jordan Smith and William White.
The Bermuda team officials are Terry Fray (Director), Irving Romaine (Coach) and Craig Brown (Physio). Bermuda U19 Head Coach Clevie Wade was unavailable for this tournament, so the well known Irving Romaine steps in as coach for the event.

The Bermuda Cricket Board President, Lloyd Fray, said, at the time the squad was first announced: “I am very pleased by the work that the young men have been putting in at our National Academy over the winter and this spring in preparation for this important tournament. We have done an immense amount of work to ensure that our UK based players are available and ready for this tour.”
“I commend their schools and parents for working diligently to ensure that no boy’s academic efforts are compromised by the international commitments. The squad has five players that have already made their senior debut and I hope that they can be leaders and key figures in our results. I truly believe that if this squad can play to their potential Bermuda has a great opportunity to return to the world stage.”
William White was originally named as one of the standby players but is now part of the squad as a replacement for Azende Furbert who is no longer available due to academic commitments.
　
(EN edited from Bermuda Cricket Board news releases.)