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Teenage spinner Marcus Johnson is heading to Trinidad to train with some of the most talented young players in the West Indies as part of a new link-up that could see more of Bermuda's top cricketers get the chance to compete in the Caribbean.

Johnson, 17, was selected for a cricket scholarship at the University of Trinidad and Tobago Academy of Sports - the top school that recently produced West Indies stars like Rayad Emrit and Kieron Pollard, now members of the Stanford Superstar 20-20 team.

Former West Indies stars Larry Gomes and Merv Dillon are the academy's high performance coaches while legends like Brian Lara have worked with students in the University's cricket programme in the past. The University's cricket squad is regularly involved in international tours and training camps and Johnson could even end up playing against Bermuda in a tour tentatively scheduled for next summer.

Bermuda cricket coach Gus Logie, who helped hook-up the four year scholarship for Somerset youngster Johnson, hailed him as a potential trailblazer for Bermuda cricket.

"Marcus is a pioneer going down there. What he does will influence this relationship and we are certain he will do us proud.

"I think this relationship is very significant and it is one that is going to grow. There will be opportunities for more of our youngsters but it is down to them to meet the criteria in terms of their academics and their attitude as well as their performances."

Many of the academy's graduates have gone on to play for Trinidad & Tobago and with a new professional league being developed in the West Indies Logie believes 'the sky is the limit' for Johnson and the youngsters that follow him into this programme.

Best coaches

"He's going to be working with some of the best coaches in Trinidad. If he makes significant improvement in that programme then there are any number of opportunities that could come to him.

"The West Indies Cricket Board is talking about having a professional league. If that happens it could open up opportunities not just for Marcus but for a number of players."

Johnson said he had played against some of the top Trinidad players for Bermuda's Under-15 side and felt confident he could compete.

"I have to step it up just a notch but I don't think it is anything I can't handle. I just want to get down there and do the best I can and show that Bermuda has talent that can keep up with the world."

Logie said the cricket board now had relationships with schools in England, like UWIC where Stephen Outerbridge and Jekon Edness play and study, Oakham, where Greg Maybury is following in the footsteps of Stefan Kelly, and the West Indies, where Johnson is the first Bermudian to get a cricket scholarship.

He said it was much easier for athletes to get football and athletics scholarships in the States and the cricket board was trying to create similar opportunities to keep its best players involved in programmes that combined sporting and academic development.

In his first year, Johnson will complete a Certificate Programme in Sports Studies, which will prepare him for an undergraduate degree in sport and physical education.

Logie added: "We want to make sure he grabs this opportunity with both hands. His attitude has been one of the primary factors in getting him this opportunity and we're sure he'll do well.

"It is an exciting time for young cricketers. There are a lot of opportunities for players who show commitment to the game and to their schoolwork."[[In-content Ad]]

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