Bermuda's top junior squash players will be travelling to Guyana today hoping to mount a serious challenge for honours at the Junior Caribbean Championships in Georgetown.

Although they are two short of a full girls' squad, which makes it very difficult to win the team tournament outright, Bermuda Squash Racquets Association director of squash Ross Triffitt still expects a strong Bermudian showing at this year's event.

“The shortage of girls does put pressure on the boys to perform in all age groups. But if the boys are able to put some consistent results together there is no reason why we cannot finish in the the top two or three in the team competition,” he said.

Bermuda's greatest chance of success in the individual event will undoubtedly come in the shape of 18-year-old James Stout, who will be seeded at one in the Under-19 category.

The lanky left-hander has recently returned from two months of training in Europe and only last week took the Under-19 European No.2 to five games at the Dutch Junior Open.

Triffitt was optimistic that Stout would prevail in the less demanding world of Caribbean squash.

“James has come on leaps and bounds recently and has had a greater exposure to international squash than a lot of his Caribbean rivals,” he said.

“This will have done him the world of good and probably give him that extra edge.

“We are expecting a very strong result from him.”

Completing an intimidating Under-19 Bermudian contingent in Guyana will be Andrew and Justin Robinson, both of whom will be challenging for places in the latter stages of the tournament.

In the boys Under-17s, youngsters Michael Shrubb, Graham Counsell and Iain Redford will be representing the Island, with Shrubb assuming the Under-17 slot in the team event.

In predicting the likely showing of the Bermudian Under-17s in the individuals however, Triffitt was more guarded.

“It is going to be very difficult because this is one of the most competitive age groups in the Caribbean,” he said.

“Guyana and Barbados are particularly strong in this group so I cannot be sure how well we will do.”

Robert Maycock and Douglas Olsen will be competing in the Under-13 category. Maycock actually won the Under-13 title at last year's championships, but, according to Triffitt, he may find stepping up an age group to compete against older boys a more profound challenge.

The Australian coach did not however completely rule out his chances.

“Rob has improved enormously since last year and is currently playing very well. Depending on the kindness of the draw he could yet do very well,” Triffitt said.

Bermuda will also be represented at Under-13 level by Robert Forbes and Jeff Olsen. Big and strong for their age,Triffitt predicts that this may work to their advantage in the days ahead.

In the girls event, Jessica Mitchell returns to the championships hoping to improve on her consistent top five finishes in previous years.

Katie Lennox, although a relative newcomer to the sport, now has several years of experience under her belt and may surprise a few people down in the Caribbean.

Finally, Laura Robinson, who made it to the final of the Under-13s tournament in 2001, returns for her final year in the Under-15s.

Triffitt was very positive in response to questions about the depth of junior talent in Bermuda and maintained that such strength was a vindication of the special emphasis placed on youth at the BSRA.

“We have been applauded at the World Coaches Conference for the quality of our junior squash schemes,” he said.

“We have also been recognised by the Canadian Mike Way, who currently coaches the world No.2, who recently suggested to me that we have one of the best per capita junior programmes in the world.”

Triffitt remains convinced that given time, Bermudian squash will reap the rewards from such a heavy investment in youth by dominating squash in the Caribbean region for years to come.

“The future is very bright,” he said.