Immediately after being confirmed last night as new president of Bermuda Cricket Board of Control, former top all-rounder Elvin James assured youngsters in the Island that there would be a vibrant youth programme by next year.

Realising that it was the failure to resurrect the once prominent Shell/Youth League that played a major role in the demise of outgoing BCBC executives, including president Ed Bailey, last week, James was quick to point out after last night's Board meeting at Warwick Workmen's Club that his priority would be to rejuvenate the struggling sport from the bottom up.

"To the youths of Bermuda I say this with great joy: I will guarantee you that there will be a flourishing youth programme on this Island involving all youths from 19-years-old down,'' he said.

"It remains to be seen just what age groups will be involved.'' A large gathering of club affiliates saw James voted in as president, as had been expected, with several other prominent faces in cricket joining his executive committee.

Gladston Brown took over as first vice-president, Reginald Pearman second vice-president, Reginald Outerbridge secretary, Neil Speight treasurer and Charlotte Simons assistant secretary.

Speight is the only survivor from the old executive committee. James said he was pleased to have his services and noted that continuity was needed in such an important position.

"The clubs have chosen individuals who have cricket at heart, experience and people that know cricket. They are people who will put the work in that is necessary to take cricket in a new direction,'' said James, who built a reputation as one of the biggest hitters in local cricket.

"This is an interim committee. We are just here until the annual general meeting early next year when an entire new election of officers will be held.

Even still we have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us.''.

Among the new committee's responsibilities will be maintaining the existing domestic programme and James noted that they would also have to carefully plan for the future to make it easier for the committee that ultimately takes over.

"We are not caretakers. We are here to look at the long and short range goals for cricket. One pressing thing before us now is the Shell/Sandals in October and we have to formulate a four to five year plan and have all of the machinery in place,'' said James.

He wasn't about to guarantee that Bermuda would be involved in the Shell/Sandals this year, but said the tournament remained firmly in his plans.

However, it was clear where James' thoughts were after being put into cricket's hot seat -- with the youngsters who have been starved of a competitive youth programme for several years.

James and the group behind the ouster of the old committee have already been working behind the scenes, searching for youth cricket sponsors.

"We have some sponsors in place already, actually,'' said James. "We have had some verbal commitments already and within the next few weeks the Board will be making some announcements to this effect.

"We are also anxious to get going and provide a development programme on the Island. It has been said that youth development is not a Board thing, but I disagree with this notion. I firmly believe that since the clubs pay fees to the Board then the Board have the responsibility to do something in return.

The Board have to earn the dues that they are given and one of these responsibilities is to organise a vibrant youth programme.'' EL JAMES -- took over as president of Bermuda Cricket Board of Control following the resignation of Ed Bailey.