GOVERNMENT handed out $50,000 to 10 rising sports stars yesterday at a gala presentation at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

The money from the National Junior Athlete Sponsorship Programme is to be used by the young athletes to help develop their careers.

Swimmer Nathan Frick, who set a new 50-metre backstroke record and represented Bermuda at the Caribbean Island Swimming Championships last summer, was given $4,900 to help him attend the Somax Advanced Swimming Camp. Frick, 15, is aiming to represent Bermuda at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 2007 Pan American Games.

Stefan Kelly was awarded $5,000 to assist with his technical development in the game of cricket when he attends Oakham School. Kelly, 16, was the featured strike bowler for the National Under-15 team that trounced all opposition in the ICC Regional Championship in 2002 and since joining Oakham in 2004 his talent has continued to accelerate. He is also hoping to be a regular starter in Bermuda's National team this summer at the ICC Tournament in Ireland.

Tennis player Morgan Lightbourne was handed $5,200 to be used for coaching and also to help attend the ITA summer camps this year.

Lightbourne, 17, has won 10 championships over the past four years and last year won the Cromwell Manders Trophy. She was also ranked the number one girls singles player and number two ladies singles player in Bermuda.

Rising equestrian star Kelby Lusher was given $5,400 to help attend two riding camps this year ? the Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament and the Halton Valley Mid Summer Classic.

Lusher, 15, has excelled in both the equitation and jumping divisions and she recently placed first in the FEI World Show Jumping Challenge for Category B riders in Bermuda.

Her goal is to represent Bermuda at the prestigious National Young Riders Championships.

Football player Taurean Manders was handed $3,500 to attend and play with the NY Metrostars Under 19 Super Y League team. The 18-year-old attends the IMG Soccer Academy in Florida and is one of the "best technically developed football players" in his age group in Bermuda.

Squash player Robert Maycock was awarded $5,850 to be used for coaching and also to attend the Junior CASA in Trinidad in July and the Canadian Junior Open in December.

Last year he represented Bermuda in the Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association Championships in the Cayman Islands and won the Under-15 Boys Division and was undefeated in the team championship.

Gymnast Caitlyn Mello was presented with $5,950 which will be used to attend a selection of Gymnastics invitationals over the next six months as well as assist with the cost of a choreographer.

The 12-year-old will be representing Bermuda at the Island Games this summer in Shetland and she hopes to qualify for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Field hockey player Keishae Robinson was given $3,510 to attend the Seaford and Nike Camps. Robinson, 16, is one of Bermuda top juniors and she is currently with the Bermuda team that is competing at the Pan Am Junior Games in Puerto Rico.

Triathlete Coyatito Smith was awarded $5,500 to be used for a new bike and specialised training. Smith, 17, has competed in numerous international events including the 16-19 Triathlon World Championships in Portugal. He hopes to compete for Bermuda at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Cyclist Ricky Sousa was handed $4,600 to be used for training at the USA Cycling Junior Development Camp as well as personalised training. Sousa, 14, was the first junior to finish last year's Sinclair Packwood Memorial race and at the Bermuda Grand Prix he won his age division.