Some of the island’s brightest prospects will showcase their budding talents during the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association Holiday Clash.

The AXA XL-sponsored two-day event begins on Saturday at WER Joell Tennis Stadium and is set to feature more than 20 juniors who will compete for honours in under-12, under-14 and under-16 age categories.

“The main tournament expectation is to promote the development of our junior players,” Sophie Campeau, one of the tournament committee members, told The Royal Gazette.

“The Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association really wants to expose them to competitive matches but always in a fun environment. Our goal is always to reach as many young people as possible at any skills level. We really want to create a memorable experience for our youth and for them to take on the sport of tennis and continue with it.”

The tournament is the second in the BLTA’s efforts to revitalise the sport at youth level.

“This is part of a series of quarterly tournaments to try to stimulate junior tennis and we must thank sponsor AXA XL,” Campeau explained.

“We are just trying to find after Covid how can we get children back to more competitive settings because there were all these restrictions.”

The first event, Back to School, which was held in August was hailed a success.

“It was a good turnout and the parents and the competitors from the first one really enjoyed it,” Campeau added.

“Even if you lose in the main draw we do a back draw so players are guaranteed at least two matches and that was very popular.”

In this weekend’s tournament, Tristan Pettit should be among the top contenders for the boys under-16 title but will have his work cut out against the likes of Sebastian Pukk.

Competition is expected to be equally as intense in the under-14 boys age group with Zach McGuire and Jadon Spriggs among the favourites for honours.

Jaden Jones and Chase McCrimmon are among the top contenders for the under-12 boys title with siblings Nila and Devi Samuels set to fight it out among the girls.

Ollie Anderson and Chloe McBrearty are the youngest players in the boys and girls categories at age nine, while making their debuts are siblings Jitshuen and Jitohm Liew in the boys under-12 and 14 categories.

The under-12 age group is the only category involving girls due to the lack of players.

“Unfortunately we do not have more girls categories as there were no entries,” Campeau said.