SENIOR statesman of tennis in Bermuda, Allan Simmons, must feel he was born a little too soon.

For when the 77-year-old player, who has more trophies than he can count, sees the opportunities given to today's youth he can only wonder what might have been.

"I remember when I was a junior I had to go into adult tournaments because they didn't have junior tennis at the time," said Simmons who is the director of the Bank of Bermuda Foundation ITF Junior Circuit Tournament which will be played at the W.E.R Joell Tennis Stadium next month. This will be the fourth year the international tourney will be staged and this week the Bank of Bermuda Foundation signed on to sponsor it for another three years.

"The kids today have a great opportunity," said Simmons. "I didn't have anything like this."

And Simmons said that when the overseas players from all around the world fly into Bermuda for the tournament ? one of the first on the ITF summer circuit ? Bermuda's young players can see what it takes to get ahead in the game.

"They will have to play against opposition that causes them to lift their game. Our kids will see the commitment of these other players and hopefully it encourages them to work harder and practise more. These kids who come down here are really dedicated ? they work hard and play all of the time. Our kids might think they are good here in Bermuda but they really see where they are when they come up against some of the players who come down here."

All of Bermuda's young players have a chance of getting in the main draw which sees play from June 19-24.

There is pre-qualifying, the qualifying and then the tournament proper. "We have so many youngsters here in Bermuda who would like to get into the main draw. It is a great opportunity for them," said Simmons who is an honorary life-time vice president of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association ? such has been his contribution to the game in Bermuda.

Assistant director of the tournament, David Lambert, said: "This tournament allows our top juniors to play against people from around the world. Also coaches come here and they offer advice to our coaches. And then there is the opportunity to get noticed. We are trying to get as many of our kids into tennis camps and then get tennis scholarships to universities.

"It is fantastic that the Bank of Bermuda Foundation has agreed to sponsor the tournament for another three years ? it allows us to do some good future planning."

Bank of Bermuda Foundation director and secretary, David Laing, said: "I hope our youngsters can soak up the knowledge and experience. This tournament has been a resounding success and that is entirely down to this great team who are in turn backed by another team of volunteers. The tournament has been very well run. Volunteers make things happen in Bermuda. We try and encourage volunteers in Bermuda and that is not just about ball balls and girls but accountants who make sure books are in order."

Lambert said players will be coming from "France, Italy, Spain, Jamaica, United States, Great Britain, Sri Lanka ? all over".

And he hoped that some of Bermuda's juniors will also go to other tournaments on the ITF summer circuit. "The next one after us is in the Bahamas. Some of our juniors hope to leave Bermuda and go on the circuit. It allows them to learn how to compete when they go away, how to manage their time, their diet and it also toughens them up."

Rose Douglas, who is the financial advisor for the tournament, said youngsters should take the opportunity the tournament affords. In fact her son, Romar, is on a partial scholarship at an American school. "It is a great opportunity for players to be noticed by coaches from US colleges. All sorts of scholarships are out there," she added.

Qualifying for the tournament will be held on June 17 and 18 before the tournament starts on Monday June 19.

There is a 32-player draw for both the Boy 18 and Under and Girls 18 and Under singles. There is a draw of 16 for the 18 Boys and Girls doubles and a 16-player draw for the Boys 14 and Under as well as the Girls 14 and Under singles.