Switzerland: Welcome to the first edition of John Bird's 'Letter from Switzerland'.

How many countries have two playing seasons? Believe it or not, Switzerland does and must be one of the only ones. The mountain boys of the St. Moritz Cricket Club organise every year 'Cricket on Ice', the only annual tournament played on a frozen lake!

This competition comprises of the home club, their neighbours from Zuos and an invitational Xl Admittedly it is only a weekend season, but it shows that cricket is actively pursued in the land of cowbells and cuckoo clocks.

For the rest of us, that's about 10 other official clubs, we prefer to play when temperatures are a little bit warmer. The real season starting off at the end of April, beginning of May and going on, weather permitting, till the end of September, beginning of October.

There are two divisions which make up the official clubs; the Western division comprising of two teams from Geneva, one of which CERN, boast being the founder of the internet and enables us to communicate in this manner, one from Cossonay - that's a little town, really a village, outside Lausanne and one from the capital Bern (you need never get caught out again in the game "Trivial Pursuits", on the question of 'What's the capital of Switzerland?).

In the Eastern Division there are four teams from Zurich, a team from Winterthur, current country champions and a team from Basel, who this year are having a sabbatical from league competition.

Before going too far with this first dispatch and in reference to my opening; the start of the year saw the return to the pavilion of Dr. David Barmes the first President of the Swiss Cricket Association and President of Geneva Cricket Club, and Nasir Hamirani Captain of the National team, as well as the Treasurer of the S.C.A.

These two are going to be a great loss to Swiss Cricket, both giving and achieving so much in their life times to the game in this country. But there names will not be forgotten as two new knock-out competitions have been inaugurated, enabling all cricket clubs, whether members or not of the S.C.A. to participate.

Now this year promises much; with more young Swiss talent coming through than ever before and the hopes of a new National ground and training facilities being constructed.

As the game slowly spreads through the country and is introduced to the local population more and more young talent is being acquired. The difficulty as always is to keep the youth players interested. This requires top class training facilities, at present really only available over in England, and money. So if there is any Swiss National out there reading this, and wanting to help in promoting Swiss Cricket and nurturing the raw talent at home send me an email.

There is also the chance of getting involved in the building of the new Cossonay Cricket ground, which it is planned will also be the venue for International home games in the future. For participation in either of these ideas get in contact with me John Bird.

Enough of the cap being passed around; the more interesting aspect at the start of the season as always is who is going to be holding the cup at the end! I will be trying to keep you up to date with how this season progresses, with monthly updates on matches and how the divisions are shaping up.

The main teams to watch out for this season are the current holders Winterthur, the four teams from Zurich, and as always Bern and Geneva, who have apparently acquired an ex-Essex County 2nds player, we wait to see!

Also on the International front I will be telling you how Switzerland fair against their arch International rivals, France, who they beat for the first time last year in a gripping last ball win. As well as how they fair in August in the ECC Trophy in Austria.

So from the land of chocolate, cowbells and cuckoo clocks, for now au revoir ... Lebe wohl ... arrivederci and not forgetting the fourth language of Switzerland - no I am not going to tell you. Question: how do you say 'good bye' in Romansh? Find out next time in "Letter from Switzerland".