Make no doubt about it, when it comes to identifying the game's complete package, Allan Simmons stands out as the perfect example.

Outstanding as a player, an effective teacher, diligently efficient in the role of administrator, Simmons has done it all -- and continues to do so.

Hence there was no surprise when the International Tennis Federation (ITF) honoured him for his long and distiguished service to the game of tennis, presenting the septuagenarian with a plaque and trophy during the recent annual meeting in Turkey.

"I've always worked in tennis and it's not my intention to do this for the sake of receiving awards,'' said Simmons, who intimated that he had an eye towards bringing the meeting to Bermuda, possibly in 2002 or 2003.

"I just like the game. I like to play it, have played it a lot and still play it when I can.

"It's a great feeling to know that the world body appreciates and looks at what goes on in smaller countries and they appreciate what people in smaller countries are doing.'' Modest to a fault, Simmons reluctantly spoke of his achievements, which are as lengthy as they are legendary, having stood as Bermuda's number one player for decades. Such was his prowess in wielding the stringed racquet that he captured more than 375 titles and, even at the advanced age of 47, ranked number one in all of local tennis.

Beyond that he's played valuable roles in coaching, was one of the founding members of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association and has been instrumental in developing local and international tournaments on the Island. More recently he played vital roles in gaining Bermuda entry into the Davis and Federation Cups and also aided in initiating an officials' association.

"I've been the number one player on the Island. I've done coaching, run tournaments -- local and international. Whatever has to be done I'm prepared to jump in and do it,'' said Simmons.

Yet there should be no surprise at the athletic and organisational prowess of this native of Somerset, for he is of a lineage gifted in both sport and entrepreneurship.

His father Warren Simmons was a talented allrounder who captained Somerset's Cup Match team and ran Simmons Ice Cream Factory at the west end for many years, while brother Lloyd and nephew Randy Horton similarly led Somerset and have held prime professional roles.

Simmons, though, was never attracted to team sports, preferring those that afforded the opportunity to succeed or fail upon one's own expertise.

And it was not always that he could even get to play tennis as a youngster, with older practitioners often dominating the precious few courts available during Simmons' early days, during the 1940s, especially for persons of colour.

"When I got into sport there were not many faciliaties available in the `40s,'' he explained. "We couldn't play at the (Tennis) Stadium except for once a year.

"There was a court in Somerset at Odd Fellows, one at Happy Valley and one where Raynor's Garage (Southampton) is now. So when you went to play there was always a long line waiting and if you were a junior you couldn't play...you couldn't get on the court because the good players didn't want to waste time playing with you.

"I used to sit around the tennis courts for hours and hours and sometimes not even play, and a lot of the other juniors that started when I did just got discouraged and many gave it up, but I stuck to it.'' It was with those memories that Simmons set about ensuring that all youngsters -- financially deprived or not -- were afforded the opportunity to participate.

Today sees a blossoming junior programme feeding both the men's and women's national squads, with the likes of Jensen Bascome, James Collieson and Jevon Whitter as notables on the male side, while Danielle Paynter, Danielle Downey, Tara Lambert and Zarah DeSilva stand out among the women.

Said Simmons: "I've always found it important to get juniors playing if we wanted to progress. Because I was number one in the Open at the age of 47 and number one in the Over 45s, which should never be.

"Right now we have number one players that are much younger, where, while we have Ricky number one at 34, there are also much younger guys up there like James, Jenson and we also have Jevon Whitter who's going to be good and a lot of other youngsters coming through.

"Right now the top players on the Island are around 18, 19, 20 and that's the way it should be.

"In order to reach that you have to have a proper junior development programme, so that you get juniors out in numbers, have things that encourage them to stay in the game, as tennis takes a long time to get good.

"You have to get out there and practise, get lessons and it takes years to get good and even longer to become of champion calibre. It is said that it takes five years to become a good player and 10 years to become a champion.'' Current BLTA president David Lambert lauded Simmons as a true pioneer for the sport both on and off the court, a role model to be emulated.

"He is one of the cornerstones of tennis in Bermuda,'' said Lambert, himself an administrative heavyweight. "He is a pillar of the community, someone you can rely on for sound advice and a person who, if they say they will do something, can be relied on to carry it out.

"He is definitely respected in tennis circles worldwide.'' Distinguished gentleman: Allan Simmons shows off the certificate and trophy awarded to him by the Iinternational Tennis Federation for distinguished service to the sport of tennis.