The official build-up to the ICC Trophy 2001 campaign in Canada is underway.

That's the message Bermuda Cricket Board of Control made clear yesterday after meeting with a squad of 30 players who have been assembled to begin training for the commitments that lie ahead.

While authorities are placing emphasis on the World Cup preliminaries everybody has also been made aware of the importance of two competitions that will take place in the near future -- the tour of Canada in August and the Red Stripe Bowl, scheduled for the Caribbean later in the year.

Bermuda will be playing six matches in Canada against the national team and other top sides in the Toronto area while a similar number of games can be expected during what will be a fiercely competitive Red Stripe Bowl.

"We've officially thrown the machinery into gear for preparations leading up to all of this, and we are excited about what is in store for our players and our cricket at large,'' said Board president El James.

"Reaching the World Cup proper is a priority and something that the whole country undoubtedly wants us to achieve, and we are really going to put everything into making that become a reality.'' Having Bermuda's national team involved in two significant competitions back to back within a span of a few months has national coach Allan Douglas excited. Rarely in the past has he been able to take a team into major events with the necessary pre-tournament preparation -- and often that has been reflected in the results.

"I'm very excited. We are really trying to put things in place, we are trying to get coaches better coached, we are trying to get youth cricket going well, we are trying to arrange it so that we can get the both seniors and juniors to go away,'' said Douglas, who has just returned from a coaching seminar in England with Board staff coaches Wendell Smith and Winston Reid.

"We want to make sure that we plan well ahead instead of just waiting for the next ICC to come around. We are trying to prepare well in advance, as best we can with the resources that we have.

"That's what the goal is and I am pleased that we have people on the Board who are thinking very progressively. Now that we have some good people working we can go ahead and plan for the future.'' Douglas pointed out that the recent appointment of Michael Glasford as BCBC office administrator would also be of immense value as regards preparation of the national teams.

"Some people may think that it's not much but I have been back from England for just two days and I have talked to Mr. Glasford several times. We have already organised training matches for the squad. Previously my work commitments had hampered me from doing things like that, but we are now moving forward without any delays,'' added Douglas.

"I am pleased where we are going and extremely happy to know how we are going to get there. I am just hoping that people will be patient and give us time to reach our goals.

"I know that the players are going to be inspired by our plans and even more keen to prepare for what lies ahead. I have talked to some of the more seasoned players who, in fact, want to come back and join the squad. One, in particular, has even gone out and bought a new kit. There are so many positive signs that make the future look bright.''