around Middle Road in Devonshire.

But no, it isn't the insect pests which regularly bombard that neighbourhood with their incessant humming.

It's the Squash Club's regular weekly rumble as Saturday's Youth Day swings into action.

Several of Bermuda's youngsters have already discovered the excitement of playing squash, and can be seen practising the strokes -- boasts, smashes and drop-shots -- needed to evolve into a player of quality.

Last season saw about 15 schools take up the sport -- 150 children a week -- and the same is hoped for this season which, say regulars, augurs well for the future of the sport in Bermuda.

Among those currently involved in the weekend programme is 13-year-old Nick Kyme, who earlier this year scored Bermuda's first victory in the 1994 World Junior Men's Squash tournament in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Kyme was in the land of the Kiwi along with fellow team members Jean Paul Dyer and David Dodwell, but they are but a few who continue to benefit from the offerings of the club.

Others to have taken up the sport with a measure of success include Tommy Sherratt and Mel Caines.

The programme has been ticking along for the past 13 years under the watchful eye of one person throughout, Denise Kyme, one of the Island's top senior players.

She has been aided in the running of the programme since 1986 by club president John Stout and soon to be welcomed will be former England under-19 coach Jane Parker as she takes up her post as squash director.

As an SRI level three coach, Parker will bring a wealth of knowledge, both from her days as a top 20 player in England and Europe and from her more recent years as a high level instructor.

Parker was well received during a recent visit to Bermuda and the Squash Club is anxiously awaiting immigration approval to take her on board.

After over two decades involvement in the sport, the competitive juices still flow freely in this diminutive 34-year-old Englishwoman and Parker's high energy and obvious dedication to the sport are qualities which Stout admires and says is paramount in someone taking over the programme.

"We've been impressed with what Jane has done, but also we were impressed with her credentials when she applied for the post,'' said Stout earlier this year when it was first announced that Parker had been offered the newly created position.

"We don't want somebody just to coach. They've got to be imaginative and look at the broader picture and set goals instead of just going on court and coaching people.'' Certainly Parker fits the bill and Bermuda stands to benefit from her vast knowledge garnered from years as both player and coach.

After serving time among the junior ranks, Parker hit the British circuit at age 22 in 1982, breaking into the rankings at number 18. She improved to 16th, a position she maintained until 1990, and once earned a spot on the England B team.

In 1989 she won the Ting Classic in Jamaica after finishing as runner-up the previous year and in 1990 was similarly second at the Cayman Islands Invitational. However, her best career win was a 3-1 triumph over fellow Brit Ruth Strauss, then ranked number seven in England.

Drawing inspiration from the late Claire Chapman whom she described as "a tough international player'' and "guiding light and mentor'', Parker made the predictable step to coaching, earning her grade three designation in the mid 1980s and later acting as manager oach of England's Under-19 team.

"I like to see people improve,'' says Parker. "To get them to actually enjoy the game and I like the feedback you get when they come back to you a few weeks afterward and say `It's working now, I took a step back, but now I've taken two forward'.

"And the variety, the range of standards that you work with. As a coach at a club it's good, as you get absolute beginners and then team players and everyone in between.'' She also sees great things in store for islands such as Bermuda...if they can get proper coaching and guidance.

And the sport as a whole is said to be on the "up'' after years of wallowing in the shadows of the higher profile and major television friendly sports such as soccer, cricket and even tennis.

Meanwhile, Stout envisions a day when Bermuda can at least hold its own against the world's powers and be able to beat some of the lesser nations.

He says it is the BSRA's goal to have Bermuda rise to around 15th in the world, if not higher.

"Two years ago we sent a team to compete in the Junior men's tournament in Hong Kong and we finished bottom out of 24 teams. This year we went to New Zealand and I think we finished last. What we'd like to do is pick ourselves up from there, record some victories.

"People at those tournaments have been very supportive of our efforts to compete at that level and I think if we get a really good coach there's no reason we can't do well next time. And by do well I mean finishing half-way up or something like that in the standings.

"There's no reason why we can't develop the talent on the Island. We just need somebody to motivate and bring them along.

"I would say that in 10 years time, if everything goes well, you'll have the men's A team and women's A team all Bermudian and I imagine they would be able to finish, say 15, in the world and we would beat all of the islands down south.

"...that would be a goal and I would say it's realistic.'' FUTURE STAR? -- Promising youngster Mel Caines is a product of the BSRA youth programme.