Dear Sir,

After reading former Bermuda youth team manager Gerald Bean’s letter to your newspaper and Lionel Cann’s response, I believe they both make valid points. However, I tend to lean more towards what Mr. Bean has stated.

While I don’t think we should do anything as draconian as scrap the senior national cricket team, I do believe the emphasis must now be placed on youth cricket. The lion’s share of both coaching and financial resources must be directed towards the youth as they represent the future of the sport in these islands.

I would like to see the BCB do the following:

• Reintroduce a youth programme along the lines of the Shell cricket programme that we had years ago, one that lasts at least until Cup Match

• Re-enter our youth teams into the Sir Garfield Sobers Youth Tournament in Barbados

• Encourage the game to be played more competitively in the schools, especially the primary and middle schools, with a proper league system set up and standings placed in the paper every week.

• Provide youth cricket with greater media exposure, both electronically and via the print media.

The senior cricket programme had a very good run, beginning in 2005 when Bermuda qualified for the World Cup up to the recently concluded Twenty20 tournament in Dubai. The time has come to rebuild. It is unfortunate but, due to the economic climate we live in, many senior cricketers can no longer make the commitment they once did to the national programme without jeopardising their jobs. Others, for reasons known only to themselves, have shown very litle interest in the senior programme.

Now would be an opportune time to shift the focus towards the youth. They have both the time and enthusiasm to develop and lift the game to another level. If we can get them to commit, there is no telling how far they will be able to go.

With respect to David Hemp carrying on, I am against that. The time has come for change, even at senior level. The only way the younger players will progress is if they actually play the game in competitive matches and keeping Hemp around will obviously impede this. If Hemp is to play any role at all, it must be as a coach or assistant coach. I do not support him carrying on as a player.

The time has come also for Lionel and Janiero to step down. Both have given sterling service to their country, for which I and all Bermuda should be grateful. Both could carry on a little bit longer, but the senior team must also move on. A young captain should lead a young team.

Wishing each and everyone of your readers a very Merry Christmas.

Kind regards,

Recman