ASHLEY Brooks' budding tennis career received a boost this week with the news that she is to receive a grant from the Government's National Junior Elite Athlete Fund.

The award marks recognition for the teenager's remarkable achievements, internationally as well as on the domestic scene.

Brooks' father and stepmother and coach Terry Smith will be on hand to receive the four-figure award on the youngster's behalf on Thursday of next week, at a special luncheon to be held at the Hamilton Princess. Representing the BLTA will be honorary life vice-president Allan Simmons and treasurer Rose Douglas.

Brooks, who plays for Bermuda's Federation Cup team, turned 15 only last month and is ranked number one in the country.

The application for the grant came via the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association and BLTA president David Lambert was delighted to hear it had been succesful.

"Ashley Brooks is one of our juniors who is always eager to train," said Lambert. "She is very mature for her age.

"When I first met her, I noticed that she moved very lightly. In addition to that, she was always very willing to accept and absorb advice, to her benefit and to Bermuda's benefit, I believe.

"She is obviously very talented and is ranked number one in the country. And I think she's the youngest-ever Bermuda number one.

"She sets herself a high standard and she will raise the bar further in years to come."

Brooks is the latest in a long line of tennis recipients of Government grants over the past decade.

The first tennis beneficiary was Danielle Paynter in 1994, the year the awards started. Since then Jenson Bascome, Danile Miller, Tara Lambert, Jovan Whitter, Zarah DeSilva and Ryan Swan have followed.

And the late Craig Bean was also in line to receive a grant for 1999-2000, but missed out because of problems with the necessary documents to prove he was Bermudian.

All the recipients have enjoyed studies overseas with tennis an important part of their school programme and all but one have gone on to represent Bermuda at senior international level.

Tony Roberts, the director of youth and sport at the Ministry of Youth, Sport & Recreation, said it was no coincidence that young tennis players were often selected for the awards, which saw six athletes from various sports receiving a share of a total $25,000 fund.

"I think we've had a tennis player every year on the junior sponsorship prgramme," said Roberts. "I think that's because the tennis association usually makes a compelling case for its juniors.

"We ask them for details of what the athlete has achieved so far and what they require as the next step and the benefits to be accrued from the grant. And they (the BLTA) are very meticulous about it."

Lambert said: "We compile the information, but obviously the first part needed is that our juniors have to do well. They have to achieve the good results in order for us to be able to report them."

The programme has helped around 50 athletes in its nine years.

"One of the issues with the development of junior athletes is Bermuda's isolation," Roberts.

"These juniors are usually the best on the island and they reach a certain level here and that is where they are likely to stay perched unless they take the next step.

"And the junior athletes programme is designed to help them to take that next step.

"We would like to think that the fund helps promising athletes get the exposure abroad and the extra coaching they need to develop."

Brooks is one of four Bermudians attending the Van Der Meer Tennis Academy at Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Last October, Brooks won the Caribbean 14-and-under Developmental Championships singles title, overpowering Trinidad's Delaney Brittany in the final. At the corresponding tournmament a year earlier, Brooks teamed up with Bermuda team-mate Sasha Fisher to win the girls doubles title.

While at Van Der Meer, she has played alongside some of the world's top juniors in some prestigious events like the Chanda Rubin Van Der Meer ITF Junior Classic and the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships in Key Biscayne, Florida.

She aims to achieve a world ranking.

Yesterday saw the funeral of Vernon Evans, a well-known character to local tennis players.

On behalf of the BLTA, Lambert said: "Mr. Evans was employed at the Government Tennis Stadium for many years. He had a very easy-going personality and encouraged players of all ages. He was a great ambassador for tennis.

"He was a fixture at the Tennis Stadium and he will be sadly missed. We at the association wish to pass on our condolences to Mr. Evans' family."