This week I focus on youth cricket as Bermuda Cricket Board will be sending two junior teams away for international exposure. The Under-13 team will be heading to St. Kitts for the St.Kitts Caribbean Invitational Tournament and the Under-15s will be heading to New York to play in a triangular tournament with USA and Canada.

I have to give credit to Bermuda Cricket Board because while monies are dwindling they have not lost track of what's essential – youth development.

First the Under-13s, which is a feeding ground for the Under-15s, will have their work cut out playing against some of the Caribbean's future stars.

Barbados and Trinidad are the two powerhouses at this age group and have dominated the tournament over the last three years.

Last year was my first stint as coach at this age group. Fortunately for me, I had a very good team of Cal Waldron (manager) and Damon Edwards (assistant coach), who helped oversee the programme.

It is a very tricky age group because while you want to focus on the basics, you also want to push them slightly beyond their limits.

Prior to going to this tournament last year, the team set a goal of finishing in the top four and being the best fielding team at the tournament.

We knew that if we fielded well that would give us a better chance of winning more games. In the end we finished fourth and received a trophy for the best fielding team of the tournament, thus achieving both of our goals.

This year will be a bit different from last as we have lost 10 players from 2008. Replacing them will be tough, but we have some talented players coming through.

With so many players moving onto the Under-15s, if we can duplicate last year's achievements that would be an outstanding accomplishment. Overall our team is a lot stronger in the bowling department but we have lost the bulk of our batting, which could be an area for concern.

As for the Under-15s, they are what I consider the talented group. Already three of their players have been involved with the Under-19s, thus showing their ability.

Also, a lot of the boys in the Bermuda Under-15s team have had a lot of exposure this summer playing for their respective clubs.

The team have a good mixture of bowlers supported by a strong batting line-up.

This tournament will be a major test for the Under-15s as just last year Bermuda finished behind both Canada and USA in the same tournament. All three countries are pretty talented at this age level. Bermuda were favourites to win the tournament last year, but didn't. However, as we know in cricket, names do not win games. Productivity on the field of play does.

The Under-15s are currently coached by Grant Smith, Ricky Hill, Allen Douglas and managed by Braxton Stowe. Just the coaching staff alone let's you know the importance of this age group. From here the next step up is the Under-19s where a lot more is expected of the boys.

These age groups are very important to the future of cricket as they help train and prepare the boys for the future. The exposure that they gain by playing abroad is invaluable.

Bermuda's future is in these young players' hands and we, as coaches, have to assure they are mentally and physically prepared.

Again, I want to thank the Bermuda Cricket Board for their continued support of these age groups.

It could have been easy to withdraw from one if not both teams from their respective tournaments, but through trying times the BCB have persevered.

Best wishes to both youth teams and always remember the old saying: "Success lies not in being the best, but in doing your best".

Now go and do Bermuda proud!