Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

Logie ... gave each player a copy of a book he had written about building champions. That book, which was loaded with quotations, had a big impact on them. -file

AFTER YEARS of attempting to qualify to perform on cricket's biggest stage - the World Cup - it took a different approach and the know how of one who has built champions to get Bermuda there.

This is according to captain Irvine Romaine who was full of praise for Augustine 'Gus' Logie.

"He gave us the confidence to go out there and do it. Like the book he wrote about building champions, he tried to do that with us, to get us to enjoy the game and be mentally tough," Romaine explained yesterday at a press conference held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Montego Bay.

Prior to Logie working with the team, other coaches had failed to click or establish an understanding with the players and their situation, especially the fact that they were amateurs.

"He has made a big difference. People worked with us in the past, but we did not progress together. They looked at the fact that we were not professionals and questioned why we were not training late and situations like that, not understanding that I may have to deal with my daughter or something," Romaine said.

different

"Gus is different. He pushed us towards our families and is very mild. Before him we had coaches shouting at us and so forth. Gus understands where we are coming from and how to get here," said the jovial Romaine who only appeared serious when speaking of Logie's impact.

One of the first things Logie did, according to Romaine, was give each player a copy of a book he had written about building champions. That book, which was loaded with quotations, had a big impact on them.

"He (Logie) taught us from a different aspect and it worked. He does not shout and he taught us how to play cricket and enjoy it," said Romaine.

With the job of qualifying for the World Cup achieved, the little Trinidadian has been focusing on getting his charges mentally ready for the tournament.

"He (Logie) is a very good coach. He has coached the West Indies and Canada. We have done really well with him and right now he is working on the mental side of things. Things such as being in front of a big crowd, being in front of cameras and stuff like that. It's all mental right now and we have to overcome the mental stuff," added Romaine.