week, with Bermuda hosting the event for the first time.

Competition at the Devonshire courts starts tomorrow (4 p.m.), but today the teams from Cayman Islands, Guyana, Barbados anad Bermuda will be taking part in the opening ceremony and enjoying an eve-of-competition barbecue.

The spectacle promises to be a good one and although hopeful of winning, the Bermuda team will be using it as a learning experience. They'll be hard pressed against strong contingents representing Barbados, who are the defending boys division champions, and Guyana, with returnees Luke Fraser -- previous winner in the under 16 age group -- and last year's runner-up in the same category Yerodin Parris also making the trip.

"Bermuda's team is in a building phase,''said Bermuda Squash Rackets Association spokesman Roger Sherratt. "We're trying to mould a team that can narrow the talent gap and compete on an equal footing with those (countries) from the Caribbean.

"It's difficult to predict how we'll do, but we'd be pleased if we won any of the age group categories. It would be a real plus.'' Tommy Sherratt is one hot local prospect, having attained a number two ranking in Quebec, Canada,,while attending school. And aside from being one of the stronger players in the squad, he also brings experience, being one of its older members.

Seventeen-year-old Mel Caines has made headlines recently for his exceptional play and continues to improve rapidly. But he'll have to be at his best to contend in the same division as Fraser.

Other possible local contenders include Carolyn Young (under 19) and Nick Kyme (under 11).

Bryn Palmer leads the Bajan defence in the boys division, while Sarah Moorjani does so among the girls. Both were runners-up last time in the under 12 and under 16 sections respectively.

"This event will expose them (Bermuda players) to a very good standard of squash...and should help improve the local standard,'' said Sherratt. "Our biggest problem is finding adequate competition, being so far from any other country.'' Apart from the team event, a few local youngsters unable to command a spot on the team will be able to compete for individual honours as wild card entries.

BERMUDA'S YOUNG HOPEFULS -- Nick Kyme, James Hubbard, Mel Caines, Tommy Sherratt and Chris Darrell.