school for their Devonshire site -- spelling the death knell for the club in it's present form.

However Club president Donald MacPherson said some members were looking to continue the club at a smaller site.

The World Rugby Classic which uses the Middle Road venue looks set to continue there, but the site is also the chief venue for the local hockey and rugby leagues, and Commercial cricket.

World Rugby Classic president John Kane said he'd heard Montessori was interested in keeping the annual event on.

He said: "It's only a week long. At the moment three games are played at night and two at the weekends. It's not likely to interfere with anything.

"Montessori have said they are prepared to organise the school holidays around the time of the Rugby Classic. It's normally played around November 11 -- that's a mid-term break for most schools.'' But he said the Rugby Classic had options if forced to move.

He said: "We have a number of offers from other parties. We are not concerned.'' And he said it was unlikely the school could start building on the pitch.

He said: "You can't do anything with that field -- it's over a swamp. I doubt you would get planning permission for building.

"We have got to find out what happens to rugby and hockey. But we have a year to sort it out.'' A purchase agreement has yet to be signed on the deal and planners will also have to approve Montessori's plans. The school is aiming to begin the September 2001 term at the new site.

Mr. Kane said: "My recollection is that the school has 60 days from August 20 to raise the money, that's the big bugbear.'' Both Montessori head teacher Margaret Hallett and National Sport Club president Donald MacPherson were reluctant to discuss details of the deal.

MacPherson said it was a sad the club had to sell up but declining membership had forced its hand.

He hoped the club can reform on a smaller scale elsewhere.

"We're selling the property not the name of the club. The members could no longer support the National Sports Club site and elected to dispense with it.'' MacPherson continued: "I am broken up about it to be quite honest, you look at the years of work and the history involved.'' Currently the club is used for snooker and darts.

"Hopefully the National Sports Club is not going to disappear, we will find something a little smaller and a little more manageable for future generations to use as a base. That's up to the membership.

"I don't know the reason why sports clubs are in decline. I wish we knew.

"You can call any president of a sports club in Bermuda. I put it down to the fact that there's so much more to do.'' He said rugby and hockey were safe for now.

But he added: "But whether they can continue when the 2001 season is over? They would have to negotiate with the new owners.''