Nick Jones has again been given the task of improving the fitness level of Bermuda's national cricket squad ahead of upcoming international commitments.

Fitness trainer Jones, who worked with the team for the 1994 ICC Trophy in Kenya, had his first once-weekly session with the players in the gym on Monday evening. The team are gearing up towards a regional tournament in Canada next month, before competing in the Red Stripe later in the year and then the ICC Trophy back in Canada early next year.

"The squad I had in '94 was the fittest I've had,'' recalled Jones, who has also coached football and netball squads as well as sailors Peter Bromby and Paula Lewin.

"It's a build-up towards the Canada tournament and from then on it's going to be full bore for qualification for the World Cup. Fitness in this country has let too many athletes down.

"But it was not the fitness that let the country down in '94, it was the fact that we didn't have a proper coach. They were the fittest squad there (Kenya) by a country mile, but that's not what stopped them qualifying.

"If we can repeat that side of it, and the BCBC are now arranging for a proper coach to come in, then maybe this time they will have all the elements together.'' Albert Steede, captain of the 1994 team, welcomed Jones' return to help get the squad in shape.

"For all those who participated in 1994 under him, they will know that we were definitely one of the fittest teams over there,'' said Steede.

"Only maybe two guys had major injuries on the whole tour. He (Jones) is highly rated for me, just from past experience.'' Added Steede: "For those people who think they are fit, they will have a different opinion of themselves once they finish a session with him, especially the initial session. You will see progress not only individually but team progress as well.

"You need to be fit as one-day cricket is very demanding.'' Nick Jones: Once-a-week sessions with the national squad.