Hundreds of children are being provided with a unique opportunity to see the world's best squash players in action during the Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 Squash Championship, thanks to a highly successful programme known as Children's Health Week.

The programme exposes local children to world class squash thanks to the generosity of sponsors, Montpelier Re, Partner Re, Investors Guaranty Foundation, and Ace. The ultimate goal is to promote a healthy lifestyle to Bermuda's young people, and to introduce boys and girls to the excitement of squash, not only as spectators, but also as future players of the game.

Children's Health Week is held in collaboration with a wide variety of youth organisations and junior sports groups including Big Brothers and Sisters, Young Life, The Centre, the Boys Day Out club, and both public and private schools.

Throughout the week several hundred children from these groups, along with their chaperones, are treated to free courtside seats. They have an opportunity to meet with the players, learn more about squash first-hand, and discover how a squash players lifestyle - as with any other world-class athlete - enables them to perform at peak levels of fitness. The players on the professional tour are excellent role models for youngsters and they welcome the opportunity to interact with them.

Special coaching clinics run by the stars will take place during the week, while some lucky individuals may have the chance to play against one of the world's top players on the state-of-the-art all-glass court in front of capacity crowds.

Following the success of the last three years, no less than four scholarships will be awarded to four lucky youngsters who have shown promise and dedication when playing in any one of the BSRA's junior squash programmes. These scholarships provide free private weekly coaching lessons, group sessions, racket and equipment, and annual membership to the BSRA. The winners will receive their scholarships just before play commences on four nights next week.

Last year's winners benefited tremendously from their awards and it is most rewarding to see their squash skills rapidly improving. Who knows, one of these youngsters may soon be competing in the World Open Championship!

One of the highlights of Children's Health Week is Girls Day on the final day sponsored by Partner Re. The BSRA wanted to make a concerted effort to attract more girls to the game.

National coach Patrick Foster said: "Girls Day is a real success story. We now have two very active groups of girls playing squash in addition to the girls in our National Development Squad. In fact our junior squash programme is practically bursting at the seams with more than 6,000 visits by children in the past 12 months. There is no question that junior squash is thriving thanks to Children's Health Week and Girls Day."