The team is led by last year's under-16 and under-12 champions Nick Kyme and James Stout.

This is the first time in five years that a full Bermuda squash team have competed and the tournament should prove to be a challenging one for the more experienced players as they are moving up into the next age groups.

Kyme and Stout recently returned from the North American Team Championships as part of a combined Carribean team, and had a chance to see some of their opponents in action.

The team also features the first girls to play in the national squad for many years, Melissa Harney (under-16) and Jessica Mitchell (under-14).

And at just nine-years-old, Andrew Stout makes his international debut as Bermuda's under-12 entry.

Bermuda's 14-year-old Michael Stout will have his work cut out for him while James Stout will see current champion Gavin Cumberbatch of Barbados as his biggest threat in the under-14 division.

The full team, including Justine Robinson, Daniele Bortoli, Stephen Smith and Talent Clarke, have been training hard for the last month to prepare for the two daily matches in the heat and humidity of Guyana.

New Bermuda resident and the world's third ranked professional, Rodney Eyles, last week put Kyme through his paces, offering tips and strategy to the Island champion.

JUNIOR GOLF GLF Michael Sims capped a fine summer of golf by finishing seventh in the Optimist International Junior Championships at the PGA National course in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Sims finished with rounds of 77 and 74 for a 72-hole total of 297. The winner was Florida's Bubba Dickerson, who tied the course record with a final round of seven-under 65.

Dickerson also won the recent Junior Masters tournament, in which Sims placed ninth.

The young Bermudian also competed in the Western Junior Open where he qualified for the match play tournament with a 36-hole score of even par.

Andrew Trott, who accompanied Sims to the Optimist, did not make the cut of top 50 and ties. The tournament will be shown on August 25 on ESPN.

Meanwhile, Bermuda's Robert Spurling was not given an opportunity to move up in the North/South Tournament as the final round was cancelled due to Hurricane Dan.

Spurling finished in 30th place of 100 juniors entered.

MARTIAL ARTS MAT The Bermuda Martial Arts Federation has a new name and new executive.

Formerly known as Bermuda Martial Arts Society, the federation recently elected its new executive and technichal committees. The new executive committee consists of president Al Wharton, vice president Mark Tailford, secretary Carlton Saunders, tresurer McLaren Smith and public relations officer Dwayne Williams.

The new technical committee consists of Bobby Smith, David Simons, Kevin Watson, Mark Tailford and Roger Trimm. All positions for both committees are for a term of two years.

The Bermuda Martial Arts Federation is the governing body of martial arts in Bermuda.