Former Middlesex and England middle order batsman Roland Butcher is looking forward to re-establishing Bermuda cricket as a respected force on the international scene, with youth as a primary focus.

Speaking to The Royal Gazette from his current base in the Mediterranean nation of Cyprus, Butcher expressed great appreciation to the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control regarding his selection as coach, as well as a keen willingness to aid the cause of local cricket.

"Obviously I'm deeply honoured to have the opportunity to make a contribution to Bermuda cricket,'' said Butcher, who was born in East Point, St. Philip, Barbados before emigrating to England as a youngster. "I have been to Bermuda already so I know a little bit about Bermuda, and I'm happy to get the chance to make an input.'' Butcher visited Bermuda previously as part of the MCC squad during the 1980s and harbours good memories.

He noted how, back then, Bermuda's national team contained quite a few foreign nationals and that the team was stocked mostly with mature cricketers.

To that end he said that it will likely take some time in order to build an all-encompassing national programme.

"Of course there's no quick fix... you don't suddenly switch a light on and have a team to take on the world,'' said Butcher, a right-hand batsman who played in a total of three Tests for England and three one-day internationals, notching high scores of 32 and 52 respectively.

"It's going to take a while to build, have the youngsters come through and develop to the standard that they need to develop to. Hopefully you're talking that in about three to five years the team will be made of all the young players.

"First of all I'm coming out to have a look around. I have certain ideas that I want to implement, and, for obvious reasons, those ideas will stay with me for the moment.

"But there are a number of things that I will be working on to improve the overall standard from schools right the way through to the national side.'' A key concern for the BCBC all along has been that of getting cricket back on the school curriculum and, with Butcher having experience as first teams coach at Westminster Public Schools he would appear to fit the bill.

The immediate past administration was roundly criticised for allowing the junior programme to disintegrate, and it is Butcher's intention to ensure it once again becomes a fertile feeding ground for both the domestic and international programmes.

"That's where it's got to start, you've got to effect the grassroots and then it will trickle all the way through,'' said Butcher, who pointed to both England and the West Indies as examples of what happens when there is no viable youth structure in place.

"I guess the guys have achieved what they have achieved thus far despite the system, but what will be put in place is a system that will allow the young players to come through, develop, and eventually be the mainstays of the national side.

"I think, if you look at England in particular, (they) have had a problem in their structure of getting young players through for a while. And the fact that they're doing well against the West Indies at the moment I wouldn't read much into that, because on paper they're two very weak sides, especially batting.'' As one that believes the sport to be more than 95 percent mental, Butcher explained that a coach must first find a way into the mind-set of players and convince them of their worth.

And once the mind-set has been set along a positive line then tactics and technique can be taught.

"The biggest thing with coaching is that you really have to build up the players' self image, that is the number one asset,'' said Butcher. "If you can't build up the players' self image so that he feels good about himself he's not going to perform.

"All players like to be told that they're good players or whatever, but you have to build up their self image. And once you've got their self image built up about themselves you'll get (good) performances.

"Obviously you work on the technical and tactical side, but the first thing is the self image.

"There's no point in me working on you technically if you feel that you're a terrible player. I've got to make you believe that you deserve to be there and then you can work on the technical and tactical side of the game.'' In addition to his cricketing prowess, Butcher also possesses a UEFA Class `A' soccer coaching certificate and coaches at Arsenal Football Club's soccer school.

He once played semi-pro ball for little known football side Stevenage, occupying a striking role.

"I was not a person who grafted and worked very hard, I was one of the glory boys,'' Butcher said, breaking into laughter. "I still play a lot of soccer.

At Arsenal we have an ex-pro and celebrity thing and play charity matches every weekend all over the country.'' Butcher is expected to take up the position in September, pending work permit approval.