sporting calendar -- may yet take place despite the current work-to-rule campaign being enforced by teachers.

Conflict between Government and the Island's educators came to a head at the end of the fall term over payment for participation in extra-curricular activities. That is when teachers withdrew their services from extra-curricular activities.

An early victim was soccer, which by the end of 1993 still had several matches outstanding in the various leagues and knockout competitions among the Secondary Schools.

Now concern surrounds the status of the highly-anticipated all-star classic that pits the best of the east against the best from the west in soccer matches for both Primary and Secondary schools, and slated for January 28 at National Stadium.

Bermuda School Sports Federation administrator Clint Smith yesterday said that he was unsure what would happen with regard to the aforementioned fixtures, but added that he was hopeful a solution would soon be reached.

He noted how talks were continuing between the parties and that the next few days should reveal a clearer picture.

"We have a very delicate situation at the moment and everyone is hoping it will resolve itself,'' said Smith, who is in charge of organising students' sporting activities.

"I have been instructed to proceed with the organisation of events as if they are going to take place as normal.

"The all-star event is one of those that we are going to plan on, but we'll just have to wait and see... the teachers and principals have to decide.'' Not just a spectacle where students demonstrate their soccer skills for spectators, this event has proven to be a launch pad to higher learning for many student athletes.

Coaches from many overseas institutions flock annually to Bermuda for the purpose of ferreting out talent during all-star weekend, where players are evaluated as to their grades and sporting abilities. Those deemed worthy often receive scholarships, mostly to schools in the United States and Canada.

Notable beneficiaries of the event have been players such as Paul Cann, Neil Paynter, Damon Wade, Devarr Boyles, Dean Minors and Troy Lewis.

Ironically, all the players mentioned were recruited by Mike Berticelli, formerly the head coach at Old Dominion University, but now plying his trade at Notre Dame.

He and Bermudian Keith Tucker, of Howard University, are two of six coaches who have confirmed for the trip thus far. Others hail from Lees McRae College, the University of Maryland, the University of Hartford and the University of Charleston.

"The organisational aspects will all be in place, but nothing can happen without manpower,'' said Smith. "It may not be the all-star game as we know it, but I'll make sure the athletes are seen.

"The occasion may not have the same glamour, but there's nothing to say that I couldn't have a pick from the west and the east play at somewhere like PHC Stadium.

"If you're really looking at the interests of the boys you have to be resourceful.

"My job is to make sure these youngsters don't lose out because of something which doesn't concern them and is not really their fight.'' However, Mike Charles, the president of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, indicated that teachers, while sympathetic towards the students plight, were firm in their stand of not participating.

"I don't know if he (Smith) can pull it off,'' said Charles, a teacher at Paget Primary. "The teachers always recognise the need for students to get scholarships and we don't want to stand in their way. However, this is one time we have to look at ourselves.

"(But) if there is any way the students can be seen we certainly won't stand in their way.'' PHOTO ALL-STAR GRADS -- Neil Paynter, left, and Paul Cann, middle, were both beneficiaries of the all-star game.