(CARASRA), a four-member Bermuda squad today sets off for the Far East in search of more glory at the World Junior Squash Championships being held in Hong Kong from August 15 to 30.

Fifteen-year-old Tommy Sherratt, who won the Under 16 division at CARASRA, leads the contingent backed by Mel Caines (17), Chris Darrell (18) and 11-year-old Nick Kyme.

The individual competition takes place the first week, and will be followed by a team event.

The road promises to be tough for the local side, which has the honour of being the first team from Bermuda to take part in the championships. They are in a division along with powerhouses like the United States and India as well as Switzerland, Kuwait and hosts Hong Kong. The island may also have the disadvantage of having the youngest team -- with an average age of 15 -- entering the event which is open to players under 19.

However, spokesman Roger Sherratt pointed out that the event is being used as a learning experience for the youngsters and that to win a match would be quite an achievement.

"This tournament will expose the players to a much higher level of competition than they are used to,'' said Sherratt. "We at the squash club hope that this exposure to tough competition will enable them to improve that much quicker.

"The players will come back greatly improved regardless of whatever results they gain.'' Sherratt added that this is also an opportunity for the coaches to view first hand the training techniques employed by superior nations which they can incorporate into the local programme.

HONG KONG-BOUND -- National coach Julian Rose (left), with Tommy Sherratt, Christopher Darrell, Nick Kyme, team spokesmen Roger Sherratt, and Mel Caines.