Big El James sent many batsmen scurrying back to the pavilion during his heyday as a fast bowler.

Now Bermuda's newest Sports Minister is determined to make his presence felt in Parliament as he grapples with the enormous task of taking local sport to the next level.

The former educator and Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) president, who holds coaching certification in seven different sports, succeeded past Somerset Cup Match team-mate Randy Horton as Sports Minister after Premier Ewart Brown reshuffled his cabinet following the PLP's third straight victory at the polls earlier this week.

And one of the changes he would like to implement is for coaches working for publicly-funded national sports bodies to be directly accountable to the Sports Ministry.

Already there are those who view James as the right man for the job. And if the Warwick North Central MP can reproduce the success that swept him to cult status in local cricket and footballing circles, then Bermuda sport just might have found its proverbial messiah.

With cricket running through his veins, naturally, one of James' immediate tasks is to combat the present shortcomings of the National Sports Centre's (NSC) cricket pitch that has not hosted an international match on turf in nearly four years. And with local cricket fans unable to show their patriotism on home soil in support of their team, it's a dilemma that evokes the same passion that once stoked James' determination and will to succeed where others might've long thrown in the towel.

"High on my list of priorities, of course, will be to follow on some of the things that have already been started. But I think the National Sports Centre remains high on everybody's list; getting that facility completed and the cricket pitch ready so that everyone can see Bermuda in action," James said. "I think it's very important we provide a better playing surface for the players and so that (NSC) is one of the main priorities on my list.

"Another thing I would like to see, especially with those sports who are receiving government funding, is to provide proper development programmes for our youth. The main objective, of course, is to take sport forward and provide youngster as well as those presently involved (in sport) the opportunity to fully develop whatever skill or sporting ability they may possess."

When asked whether there will be any radical changes applied to the local sports landscape, James paused for a moment, took a deep breath and then produced his trademark grin.

"You know I have always believed in making my mark wherever I go," James eventually replied, his grin now replaced with a beaming smile.

Just weeks prior to announcing his intention to run in the last general election James expressed a burning desire to see major reform in the manner in which local sport currently operates, such as all national coaches and bodies coming directly under the Ministry of Environment and Sport umbrella. Yesterday, he stuck to his guns.

"I think any coach that we are funding should come directly under the Ministry," James insisted.

And while not as urgent, the former Warwick cricketer, who claimed a record five for two bowling for Bermuda against Malaysia at the 1982 ICC Trophy in England, also hopes to see a strict dress code eventually adopted by all of the Island's representatives at the national level.

"This is something I have always been concerned with and I'd like to see one track suit for everyone on the island, whether it's cricket, track and field or football. Everyone will wear the same track suit," he added. "I would like to see Bermuda have an official uniform with shorts, shirts, pants and Bermuda neck ties all the same colour, which is something I think will instill pride.

"I think these are some of the things we need to do, but there are also bigger plans we will be trying to achieve."