extended to the Island's women by organisers of the Women's World Championships set for July at St. John's, Newfoundland.

However, BASA official Headley Furbert, who is in charge of tours, here and abroad, noted that while the invitation had been "accepted in principal'' confirmation was still needed from the association's executive, with March 29 the latest date for a reply.

"The association is now in negotiation to see if it is feasible to send a team,'' revealed Furbert. "We had a meeting (Monday night) to disband the squad that went last time (to the Central America and Caribbean Championships), so it would be a new squad.

The team which went to Venezuela for the tournament alluded to by Furbert in May of last year, under the guidance of manager Braxton Stowe, were soundly beaten in all 10 of their matches.

And the task would get no easier in the Worlds, with the best from around the globe due to compete.

Traditional powers the United States, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Taiwan and hosts Canada would be expected to be on hand, but Furbert stressed the fact that entering such events was necessary to give "exposure to our younger players''.

Still remaining is the matter of selecting a manager and coach -- Stowe is no longer in the picture, having resigned his post as BASA president late last year.

From there a squad will be chosen and preparation begun for what promises to be an arduous task.

Bermuda has taken part in the event on at least three occasions, most notably in 1974 and when the `Big Blue Machine' competed in the third World Championships in Stratford, Connecticut. The women's team also travelled to Taipei for the fifth World Championships.

The most recent foray came in 1991 when Illinois played host and Bermuda again found the going difficult.