Gary Plumstead will find himself in an unfamiliar position when squash's National Championships get underway today.

The event, which for the first time is being combined with the Fast Forward Freight Club Championships, is being held with Professional Squash Association (PSA) sanctioning and for once South African Plumstead will not find himself at the head of the seedings.

As both Nick Kyme and James Stout are ranked internationally after turning professional, both players are seeded above the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association coach.

"The sanctioning by the PSA will give our two professional players the opportunity to earn world ranking points," Ross Triffitt, Bermuda's director of squash said.

There is a record entry this year with 153 players taking part in total for the two events, which start today and run through to March 22.

"We are very excited that Gary has entered," said Triffitt. "He is probably the favourite to take it out but he will in fact be seeded No.3 because he doesn't have a world ranking.

"Gary has been dominant for quite some time now, but he is getting on in years and the other guys are certainly getting more experienced.

"Most of the top guys, such as Tommy Sherratt, Nick Wiffen, Chase Toogood and Mel Caines, are also participating and are right up there and perhaps have a chance of causing an upset.

"I think the experience of the Logic Bermuda Open has certainly helped lift their squash to another level. Although Nick Kyme didn't get to participate in the Logic Bermuda Open he was still heavily involved in the (US) intercollegiate championships, where he made the quarter-finals and his team won a record fourth title in a row.

"He is certainly continuing to improve and there is a chance for Nick and others to beat Gary, something I think everyone is looking forward to."