Top female runner Jennifer Fisher has been left out of Bermuda's team for this Saturday's 12th CAC Cross Country Championships at Belmont golf course.

Unbeaten in all of this season's cross country races and on the roads since early last year, the Commonwealth Games track star has apparently been omitted for refusing to train under national coach Gerry Swan.

Fisher's omission hinged on a letter which she and husband/coach Eddie sent to Bermuda Track and Field Association last month which explained their position as regards training requirements for selection to the team. The BTFA took it to mean that Fisher "could not commit to the event'', after it was made clear to her that she was to train under Swan.

However, yesterday coach Eddie insisted that their letter said only that Jennifer could not train on the days and times required and made no mention of not being available for the championships.

"We were told by telephone that in order to be considered for the team she had to be at National Stadium on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5.30 sharp to train under Gerry Swan,'' said Eddie, who pointed out that those days and times were difficult because of the family business and the couple's two children.

"She was told in straightforward terms that she had to be at the stadium and various locations at certain times. It was impossible for Jennifer to comply with those times. On Tuesdays and Thursdays Jennifer is in Somerset with our two children and I've got the car because I'm at work.

"We never mentioned that she couldn't run in the race. If it was taken that way then it was just one of those things.'' Fisher did admit, however, that there was a great reluctance on his part and Jennifer's to allow her to train under anyone but her husband who has been training her for the past 12 years.

"To me it would be lunacy to have someone who is doing extremely well to turn out under a different coach two weeks before an event,'' said Fisher.

"I've put 10 years into Jennifer and thousands of dollars of our own hard earned money and there is no way that she's going to change coaches left, right and centre like that because we can't afford for her to get injuries.

"You have to understand that Jennifer is one of the few athletes who does cross-country, road and track and I have to be very careful with the amount of track training that I allow because she'll get a knee injury.'' Yesterday BTFA officials confirmed that one of the requirements for selection for the cross-country team was that the athlete train on the required days and times.

"She sent a letter saying she couldn't comply and we just accepted the letter for what it was,'' said BTFA president Stan Douglas.

Eddie remembered that Jennifer first received a letter from the BTFA shortly before Christmas identifying her as a possible team member and adding that she would be notified in January of a meeting.

"On Friday, the 20th (January) Mr. (Lee) Tucker dropped by the salon inviting us to a meeting the next evening,'' Fisher recalled.

"But Jennifer had already agreed to give out awards at the Dragon's Track Club at Victor Scott School. We had promised and couldn't change our plans.

"Then on Sunday at eight o'clock in the morning we got a call from Dawnette Bean -- I personally took the call -- and were told that they (other members of the training squad) were down at the golf course and I was asked if Jennifer could join in with the training.'' Added Fisher: "With our commitments there was absolutely no chance that we could abide by last minute decisions. The next day Jennifer was phoned by Dawnette and told the rules in order to compete.

"In order not to delay the BTFA's process we replied immediately to state that we couldn't comply with the training requirements which called for runners to train on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We just couldn't do it.'' Douglas admitted yesterday that Fisher would have been a key member of the team, having been part of last year's team which placed third in the event in the Bahamas. The women's team was made up of Anna Eatherley, Fisher, Donna Watson and Julia Hawley who finished in that order for Bermuda.

"It is a disappointment because she is running well,'' said Douglas of Fisher's omission. "We would like to have her with us but it would not be fair to those who accepted the challenge to exclude them on the basis of her performances.

"We're looking to build a team more than just an athlete. We're looking to work together, communicate and be successful as a group. Generally our association has not had a history of being successful as a group of people, trying to pursue the same goals.'' Douglas said he did not see the matter jeopardising Fisher's chances of representing Bermuda in the future.

"Absolutely not. However, she will probably have to really consider where she wants to go and make clear statements as to what she wants to do,'' said the president.

Fisher qualified for next month's Pan-Am Games in the 800 and 1500 metres at last year's Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia and is being considered for selection along with the likes of Brian Wellman, Troy Douglas and Terrance Armstrong.

"Her name has been put forward to the BOA for selection,'' Douglas confirmed.

When asked what would be their position if Jennifer's refusal to train under the national coach jeopardised her selection for the Pan-Am Games team, Eddie replied bluntly: "Well, we'll just go on the road. That would be a no-brainer as they say.'' JENNIFER FISHER -- training conflict has cost her a place in Bermuda's CAC cross country team.