The parents of the late young tennis star Craig Bean were overcome with emotion last night when their son's memory was honoured at the Junior Sports Superstars 2000 awards.

Richard and Juanita Bean received a standing ovation as they accepted a certificate on behalf of Craig, who died in a road accident in October at the age of 18.

Craig, Bermuda's junior tennis champion, should have been among the 18 teenagers who were celebrated at the presentation for not only their sporting ability but also their pledge to promote the anti-drug message.

Photographs of each young personality are to be circulated around the Island on sports cards, which can be collected by their peers in return for prizes.

At the event yesterday, the third supercards awards organised by the Bermuda Police Service and the Bermuda Council for Drug Free Sport, Mr and Mrs Bean were praised for the strength they had shown since Craig's death.

Cal Ming, Director of the National Drugs Council, said Craig was proving to be a strong leader, not only in the sporting field but in all areas of his life.

"Although Craig may not be with us physically, his legacy lives on,'' he said.

"He can speak to people still and one of the ways he can be doing this is through the supercard system.

"This is only a very small token of our appreciation for sharing a life with us in this community. Young Craig had a gift and that gift was really demonstrated in his life, if only for 18 years.'' After the presentation, Craig's father said he and his wife had been moved by the kind words.

The father-of-three, from Southampton, said: "We are taking everything a day at a time at the moment, but I think things are gradually beginning to sink in.

"Today is good. It is nice to see so many young people who are abstaining from drugs -- parents must be really proud.

"Craig felt very strongly about avoiding drugs. He had so many temptations around him, but he never gave in. He would say to people today if he were here, `just say no to drugs'.

Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay was among the audience, along with many of the officers who have organised the event, and Health Minister Nelson Bascome and Sports Minister Dennis Lister.

Lemay said there had been so much negativity printed in the media about young people, but these awards showed that many teenagers were drug free and of good intentions.

He said: "We should realise that our young people are really role models and we have a lot of young people who are out there doing the right thing.'' Ashley Robinson Roberts, 15, from Warwick Academy, received an award for her efforts in the triathlon.

She said she put her weight behind the supercards scheme because she wanted to help spread the anti-drug message.

Her motto is: "I have a dream in life -- drugs won't help me live that dream.'' The winners of the sports cards were: Jarryd Dillas, 15, (golf); Stephen Davidge, 17, (rugby); James West, 18, (cricket); Talia Iris, 17, (karate); Danielle Watson, 14, (track and field); Stephen Outerbridge, 17, (cricket); Melvin Martin, 15, (boxing); Richard Walcott, 16, (track and field); Michele Romaine, 16, (netball); Gabriel Wilkinson, 18, (track and field); Jonathan Herring, 17, (triathlon); Kiera Aitken, 16, (swimming); Jason Williams, 16, (soccer); Ki-Juan Minors, 17, (equestrian); Ashely Robinson Roberts, 15, (triathlon); OJ Pitcher, 17, (cricket); Stephen Smith, 17, (squash); and Ryan Mello, 17, (golf).

Craig Bean: died in hospital after a road accident in October.