Gus Logie is relishing his new role as coach of Premier Division side Bailey’s Bay.

The former West Indies Test player took over the reins in April and while he has endured his share of challenges in the short period he has been at Sea Breeze Oval, the level of commitment demonstrated by his players has provided plenty of cause for optimism as he bids to take the club to the next level.

“It’s been everything; emotions have been there, there have been challenging times, frustration as well,” the Trinidadian told The Royal Gazette.

“But generally there’s been some good response from all the players that I have been interacting with, the youngsters especially have been coming out.

“If you look at our session, it’s well-organised and they are turning up in their numbers. Not always all the senior players at the same time, but we are getting them coming out.”

Logie is most encouraged by the willingness of his players do go the extra mile in training.

“We are doing extra stuff whenever they can and one of the individuals always puts his hand up no matter what weather, mid day or evening,” he added.

“Mr Durham [Coolidge] is always there and is one of those senior players in the team and he comes out regularly. The captain Fray [Terryn] comes out as well as very regularly doing extra sessions.

“What we are seeing is the players understanding the kind of work that is needed even at this level to produce consistent performances.

“That’s one of the things about it; it gives you a little bit of confidence going forward. It gives you the sort of impetus and also the level of commitment that is really needed from everyone and so far so good.”

Logie is no stranger to the island having coached Bermuda to the 2007 ICC World Cup in the West Indies during a previous stint as national coach.

It is an historic feat that has helped to get the message across and inspire his players at Bay.

“It lends a lot of credibility to what you are saying and what you are doing, having been here at the national level and having had success with many of those players as well,” Logie said.

“Some of them were pretty young and would have heard about it. But once they came into the programme and saw the kind of work that is necessary, they have responded very well.”

Rather than stand on the side bellowing orders, Logie chooses instead to lead by example by being actively involved with his players during training sessions.

“When I come to a session I just don’t say ‘let’s do this A, B and C’,” he added. “I am involved and I think in seeing the coach is bowling, running, catching, hitting, the players themselves are responding very well.

“You have to be in the trenches with the young men as well and they can see that. We do sit-ups together and they enjoy it.

“At the end of the day, it’s just not about telling them. It’s about being with them, hurting with them as well — and they enjoy it.”

Bay finished runners-up in the Premier Division 50 overs league behind champions St David’s this season and won their opening T20 fixture against Cleveland at Sea Breeze Oval at the weekend.

Their focus will now shift to their Eastern Counties final commitment with holders St David’s at Lord’s on Saturday.

“Eastern Counties is a whole different beast and I am excited about it,” Logie said. “The players all want to commit because they want to do well.

“I don’t know what the future holds obviously in terms of counties and selection. But I am trusting that those players selected are going to be the best players possible to represent Bay and will give a good account of themselves.”