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Bermuda's rising young squash stars are hoping to match their exploits from last year when they travel to Barbados to compete in the Caribbean junior championships.

Bermuda took second place in both the girls and boys competitions, held here last summer.

And a younger, less experienced team will head to the islands in June with a tough act to follow.

Robbie Maycock who won the Under-19 individual tournament last year and led the boys team to second place is too old this time and is unavailable.

But a new crop of young players are coming through the ranks and big things are expected of Micah Franklin, who could be a contender in the Boys Under-17 championships.

Emma Keane and Alex Marshall are also hoping for glory in the girls under-15 division.

The event is held over eight days with players competing in an individual competition first and then in a team competition for the second half of the trip.

Teams from Jamaica, Guyanna, Trinidad & Tobago, Bahamas, OECS and Cayman are expected to be among those taking part.

National coach Denise Sommers said it would be tougher for Bermuda this time as they were lacking in experience.

"We are playing with quite a young team this year. Chris Stout and Noah Browne, who are both 16, will be playing as Under-19s for us in the team competition, so it is going to be tough to get the same success as we had this year.

"Having said that we're anticipating some good results in the individual tournaments.

"Chris, Noah and Micah Franklin will all be able to compete individually at Under-17 level so we should have a chance in that category."

Bermuda also has a host of Under-15s vying for spots on the trip.

With only two positions allotted to each country in that age category the top four will have to play-off to decide who travels.

"That age group is very strong," added Sommers.

Sommers said the Junior CASA tournament, held in July, was the most important of the year for Bermuda squash development.

The squad will begin serious training in mid-June, though many of them are already in regular training with the national squads.

Junior CASA brings the top young players from across the Caribbean together for an annual tournament which will feature more than 200 young players.

The team are doing their own fundraising for the tournament and a charity match will be held tonight between Sommers and her assistant coach Mel Caines, one of Bermuda's top male squash players.

Entry is free but there will be a chance to bet on the outcome of the match and how long it will last.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Sommers.

"I'd obviously put money on myself if I was having a bet but I don't think it will be easy."

The match starts at 8pm.

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