Bermuda's gymnasts are used to hauling home huge amounts of medals from the Island Games but tomorrow they will be in a different league as they compete in the World Championships in England.

Kaisey Griffith and Caitlyn Mello began training yesterday in the 02 arena, a 23,000 seat multi-purpose venue built in Londo'sn landmark arena, the Millennium dome.

Head coach Tina Williams pointed out that the World Championships were second only to the Olympics and she will be happy if the pair finish in the top 100 – although even that is a tall order.

"There are just over 150 gymnasts if everyone competes," she said. "Coming in the top 100 is probably a difficult aim but I always like to aim high as it makes them stronger.

"Kaisey and Caitlyn both have new difficult skills so realistically a good result for them is a good performance, without falls or major deductions.

"When you look at what their skill level was in 2006 when they competed at Commonwealth Games, they have both come a long way."

But Williams said her girls could not compete on the same level as athletes who train 40 hours per week as opposed to the 15 typical in Bermuda.

"Most of these athletes are full-time gymnasts with no school assessments and exams to fit into their week. They have one-on-one coaching and more accommodating facilities."

In contrast, Bermuda's girls train in a gym without air conditioning.

But Williams added: "In Bermuda we do our best and are very pleased with the improvement and direction that the Bermuda Gymnastics Association is going."

At the lower level it's been a winning formula. At the Island Games last summer in Aland, Griffith took seven golds and one silver while Mello took two silvers and five bronze medals while Bermuda won team gold.

The pair returned and continued with routines and kept fit through the hot summer.

"Both are in great shape and ready for the meet."

Williams is hoping a good performance from Griffith will put her in the shop window for a US scholarship in order to continue with gymnastics and go on to compete in the Commonwealth Games in India in October, 2010.

It follows a change in the rules raising the age limit to 16-plus from the 14-plus rule from 2006.

Meanwhile, Mello, who broke her ankle in September, 2007 and took a year out, is considering retiring after the World Championships, said Williams.

"Originally she was only aiming to do the Island Games in 2009 to assist the team in winning the overall trophy but found herself with a passion to continue and train hard to attend the World Championships and finish on a high."

And Williams, too, is preparing to bow out after nearly a decade at the helm.

But as ever, her thoughts were on the girls.

"It's a privilege to take Kaisey and Caitlyn to the World Championships," she said. "They have trained so hard and are ready to give it their all. It has been a great nine years.

"Everyone is really supportive of the Bermuda team and I have had many coaches and judges who have approached me to say how impressed they are of the improvement that the girls have made.

"I am sad to leave such a magnificent Island."

However, her successor Bob (Duke) Nelligan is excellent, and is in London helping the girls, said Williams.

Nelligan spent 31 years running Maryland's gymnastics programme.

"He has lots of new ideas and is already adding new life to the programme," said Williams.

"There will be lots of exciting changes over the next few months, so it makes me a little sad that I'm not going to be a part of it. Here in London it may be my last meet for the time being but I don't feel my time in gymnastics has ended yet.

"Once you have a passion for a sport it doesn't go away that easily."