Bermuda Cricket Board will precede the 2009 season with a Pee Wee workshop and two coaching courses.

With the support of Western Counties Cricket Association (WCCA) and Ironshore Insurance Ltd., the Pee Wee "Have-a-Go" workshop will be aimed at children aged from five to seven.

The six-week course will be held at Berkeley Institute Gym, taking place every Saturday, starting on March 7 and finishing on April 11. The sessions will run from 12.00 p.m. to 1.30 p.m.

Youth Development Director Arnold Manders is anxious to get the younger children involved in the game, with emphasis placed on participation and enjoyment.

"Last year's camp was pretty popular, but a lot of people signed up their kids for tee ball not knowing cricket was going to be taken place, so I am trying to get the news out that the cricket will be held for the younger kids this time around," said Manders.

"They need to sign up as fast as they can so that we can make adjustments if we need to in regards of finding a new venue and so forth. We had 40 last year at Warwick Academy, and was pretty tight so we have to look at the numbers first.

"During the session, the young players will be introduced to the basics of cricket with the main aim of having fun.

"Utilising the 'Have-a-Go' cricket equipment, we will work with the players on learning the basics skills of catching, bowling and batting with the aim of playing a game on the last Saturday.

"The emphasis of 'Have-a-Go' cricket is on participation and enjoyment. The equipment is made from high quality plastic which is light enough for small hands so it will be perfect for this age group."

The BCB's youth leagues for under-eights right up to Under-17s, will also start in April and run through to June.

BCB president Reggie Pearman said: "I am particularly pleased to see that the young ones will get a chance to experience cricket once again.

"This is the second time the BCB has run this programme and last year it was fully subscribed.

"This is an excellent way of introducing the young players to the game with the hope that they will want to enter our eight and under Youth league in a year or two.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Western Counties Cricket Association and Ironshore Insurance Ltd. for sponsoring these sessions."

Parents can sign up their children at the BCB office, on the Board's website, www.cricket.bm, or via email at info@cricket.bm.

Preceding the Pee Wee camp will be the West Indies Cricket Board Level I and II coaching courses to be also held at the Berkeley Institute.

The level one course will run from February 7-11, with the level two course the following week from 13-18. Both courses take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.