THIRTEEN year old Korin Knights took centre stage at last year's Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters Squash Tournament when he was awarded a one-year squash scholarship offered by Montpelier Re as part of Children's Health Week ? a programme designed to encourage youngsters to get involved with squash as a healthy exercise. Knights won a complete set of squash gear, including racquet, shoes, squash bag, and enrolment in the junior squash programme, together with free private lessons for a year with National Development coach, Patrick Foster.

And since that time Knights' passion for the game has reached new heights as he has made the most of his scholarship. Knights, who is home-schooled by mother Katrina, had previously been playing squash as a part of the schools programme in weekly sessions put on by the BSRA for home-schooled youngsters. All in all there are 13 schools also involved in the programme.

The youngster said: "I had no idea I was going to win the scholarship. It was a real surprise."

For three terms he has had weekly personal lessons with Foster, and his mother proudly pointed out that he has never missed a single lesson. When asked about his coaching Knights said: "Patrick works me really hard but never so much I can't finish. It's always a challenge. Looking back I've definitely improved a lot since last year and I have a passion for the game. I can hit the ball harder and move around the court a lot better. I've moved up a few levels and my goal is to play on the national squad and represent Bermuda. I used to play football but I gave it up to concentrate on my squash."

It appears that the rest of his family have caught the squash bug because both his younger brothers, Kyler (11) and Kion (eight) are also involved in the home-school programme and have taken to the court under the watchful eye of their mother.

Mrs. Knights said: "Winning the scholarship and playing every week with Patrick has been a real boost to Korin's confidence. He's really challenged himself and he managed to get to silver in the BIAS Skills Award tests. All three of my boys are enjoying the game, and I can tell you Kion was very excited when he managed to win a match against a 13-year-old in the BIAS tournament. I would recommend squash to anyone looking for a healthy activity for their children."

Organisers of the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006, have announced that they are again putting on Children's Health Week during this year's tournament being held from April 2-9 at the BHS Sports Centre.

ACE, Bank of Butterfield, Montpelier Re, and PartnerRe are kindly sponsoring free tickets for some 300 children to attend the tournament in a continued effort to promote a healthy lifestyle for Bermuda's youngsters. Tournament Director Ross Triffitt explained: "This is a tremendous opportunity for children to get involved in what is recognised as the 'Number 1 Healthiest Sport'. We are inviting children to come and watch the worlds top squash players in action, and also to participate in a coaching clinic put on by one of the players. The first session is on Monday afternoon April 3 sponsored by Butterfield Bank, followed on Tuesday afternoon April 4 by the ACE sponsored session. The Wednesday afternoon session is sponsored by Montpelier Re, and the week finishes with the PartnerRe session for girls on Finals Night April 8. This year four lucky youngsters will be awarded a one-year squash scholarship, complete with free membership to the squash club, enrolment in the junior programme, free private lessons and free kit, all courtesy of these four sponsors.

Children's Health Week will also feature a special event designed specifically for girls on the final day of the tournament and details will be announced as soon as they have been finalised. Says Triffitt: "We have 13 schools involved in our Junior Squash programme on a weekly basis, and last year alone we had over 4,500 total visits to our courts by schoolchildren. We are particularly keen to appeal to more girls and look forward to announcing further details of our exciting PartnerReGirl's Day programme as soon as possible."

Free tickets for the Children's Health Week sessions are being distributed through many of the island's youth groups, and are available both to children and their chaperones. Anyone interested in obtaining tickets, either on behalf of a youth group or individual children can contact BSRA Club Manager, Dave Elliott, at Tel 292-6881, or by e-mail at daveebermudasquash.com