It may be cricket's off-season but the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) is moving full steam ahead with various developmental initiatives.

Apart from convening a senior national squad to begin training for next year's Americas Regional Tournament (Americas Cup), there are plans to harness Under-15 talent as well as offer specialised coaching and enhance coaching ability.

"We have a calendar of winter activities and that includes an Under-15 developmental programme where we have invited players 15 and just over 15 to improve their technical skills and also to learn more about the game in terms of tactics and those sorts of things," explained national coach Mark Harper. "This is part of our developmental programme; something we had planned to do for a long time. It's just that we're now bringing it to fruition."

While 30-odd youngsters have been invited so far, he stressed the sessions will be "open" and others who are interesting in developing their game are welcome to join.

"We're not restricting it to any particular number. If the groups are too big we'll divide them into different batches.

"It's football season now and we understand that some of these guys are playing football too but we're going ahead with this programme and we'll try to work around their football assignments. I think we can make it work," he added, noting that while there are proposed youth tours next year nothing is confirmed.

These coaching clinics will take place on Saturday mornings at CedarBridge Academy and possibly at another venue during the week. Under-15 national coaches Grant Smith and George Cannonier as well as other coaches will be involved.

Harper revealed plans are also afoot to upgrade the skills of the Island's coaches through various workshops.

"Allan Douglas and I recently did some presentations. He looked at wicket-keeping and I did team preparation. I think it went down well. The guys felt it was very enlightening.

"The main reason that was done is that, with the state of cricket in Bermuda, it's important coaches understand the onus is on them to prepare the teams and to improve the players.

"In spite of all the challenges we have - in terms of limited training facilities and a bit of apathy towards training - coaches must try and upgrade their programmes as best they can."

Douglas will again be imparting his knowledge as gloveman during the senior national squad's training camp where he will work with a number of wicket-keepers.

Harper also disclosed that BCB is considering a "different approach" for the youth league and they are confident it will be well received. However, he declined to say more until clubs are consulted on that issue.