next month for a special Spring Break Sports Programme.

The programme -- organised by the Department of Tourism with the help of a Connecticut-based travel agency and colleges in the mid-Atlantic and North East regions of the US -- will focus on four different sporting activities, tennis, golf, track, and lacrosse.

Tourism Assistant Director of activities Mr. Randy Horton said: "After listening to our tour operators and hotels selling college weeks, we have decided to make this change from sun and fun to sporting activities.

"We have sent out a significant amount of direct mail to 3,000 colleges all over the mid-Atlantic and North East regions and together with sales calls, receptions and presentations to athletic directors and college coaches, this is the result.'' Mr. Horton said the department had received a "very good response'' from some 28 colleges, including Boston and Temple University, Monmouth, St.

Bonaventure, Providence, Fairfield and Trinity.

"This programme could grow in strength as the years go by,'' he said. "At least we are working toward making it an annual success.'' Mr. Horton also acknowledged the work of Ms Joan Griffin of Aquarius Travel in Greenwich, Connecticut who developed the packages and the "great'' support from Bermudian Mrs. Branwen Smith-King who is assistant athletic director and woman's track coach at Tufts University in Massachusetts.

The venues for the activities are: Tennis at Southampton Princess, Sonesta Beach and the Elbow Beach hotels; Lacrosse at Southampton Rangers Sports Club; Track at National Stadium; and Golf at Belmont, Ocean View, Port Royal, Castle Harbour, and St. George's Club.