They may be too young to play in the Belco Cup itself but some of the Island?s future cricket stars will be a big attraction in the annual final on May 30.

During the 40-minute break between innings, national coach Mark Harper will conduct the inaugural Junior Skills Challenge for players from age seven to 15.

This initiative will feature a number of competitive exercises in batting, bowling and fielding with prizes being awarded to winners in each category.

?The programme is designed to showcase the talent of young Bermudian cricketers,? explained Harper, adding that parental involvement is vital to urge more children to play the national sport.

?The main objectives are to see what skills the youths have and to encourage others to play the game; to let them see it can be fun.?

The highlight of this spectacle is expected to be a fast-bowling competition heralding the quickest young bowler in the land.

?We?re going to use some sensor balls and see who bowls the fastest. I think that will go down well. I expect the Under-15 trialists to be involved in that,? said the coach at a Press conference yesterday at Belco.

Another venture will see bowlers aiming for line and length with participants being asked to deliver at three stumps, then two and then just at a single stump. There will also be games of slip catching, throwing at the stumps and high catching.

As for batsmen, they will be asked to display their strokes, including the forward drive and the pull shot.

?It should be a fun day and we hope the public come out and support the match and the Junior Skills Challenge,? said Harper.

Sports Minister Dale Butler backed the introduction of the Junior Skills Challenge, noting it ?focuses on young people and promotes sportsmanship, family values and community spirit?.

Meanwhile, Belco President Garry Madeiros presented Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) President Reggie Pearman with a sponsorship cheque and the winners? trophy, saying the utility company is pleased to underwrite the event for the second successive year.

The annual season-opener ? featuring the top four Premier Division clubs from the previous season ? will see Southampton Rangers versus St. David?s at Somerset and Western Stars against St. George?s at St. David?s in the semi-finals on May 29 before the final at St. David?s on the following day. Play starts at 11 a.m. both days.

The Rangers-St. David?s fixture is already building up to be a keen affair given the climactic end to their limited-overs match on Sunday which St. David?s won by four wickets with four balls to spare. In addition, Rangers are the defending Belco Cup champions.

?We always play to win and we know what we have to do to improve. We?re not that far off where we want to be,? said Rangers skipper Janeiro Tucker.

?I thought we should have won that game. It was just one or two overs that messed us up.?

His opposite number Clay Smith is equally excited about the prospects from this match-up, acknowledging his team has probably gained a significant mental advantage.

?Yes, I think Sunday?s victory was a psychological blow because other teams and even some fans felt our batting wouldn?t be as strong with Glenn Blakeney?s departure.

?Scoring 200-plus runs shows that we are still a force to be reckoned with,? he said, while warning that his side should not become complacent over their success in the season?s first round.