Sixteen members of the young brigade of Bermudian tennis will carry hometown hopes amid stiff international competition next month.

Jovan Whitter, Ryan Swan, Ashley Brooks, Rachel Sawden, Kris Frick and Jasmine Quinn are among those already picked to represent the Island in the Bank of Bermuda ITF World-Ranking Junior Tournament beginning on June 16 at the Tennis Stadium's hard courts.

The remainder of the squad, which will compete in 18 and under and 14 and under age groups, were to be chosen last night, said president of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) David Lambert.

"Because it's the host nation, Bermuda was granted four wild cards in the boys and girls section of either age group. We have already chosen our top players in both divisions.

"For example, Kris and Jasmine are our top 14 and under players and they will receive wild cards.

"The National Select Committee is having a meeting this evening (last night) that will decide the rest. They will be based on rankings and also present performance and those juniors (selected) will be contacted probably tomorrow (today)," he explained.

Bermuda will face the might of their peers from the USA, Canada, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Denmark, Brazil, Lithuania, the Bahamas, Barbados, Panama, France, Surinam and the UK.

There will be a 32 draw for the older age group while the younger players will have a 16 draw. There will also be Open doubles (16 draw) for 18 and under competitors only.

"Our doubles teams will most likely be made up of our players in the main draw of the singles competition," said Lambert.

Valuable world-ranking points and possible endorsement deals and college scholarships are at stake in this tournament.

"Once you are playing on a regular basis on the ITF (International Tennis Federation) circuit and receiving world-ranking points, this is how you are recognised by different companies like Yonex, Reebok and Prince. All of the manufacturers are looking for the next Serena Williams or Andre Agassi," noted the tennis chief.

He is optimistic the Bermudians will do their country proud and has particularly high hopes for the 14 and under players who have copped third place for the last two years in the team competition in the ITF Caribbean 14-and-under Developmental Championships. Brooks, Bermuda's top women's player, clinched the girls' singles crown at that competition last year in St. Vincent.

"I think our chances are very good though the competition will be tough. We have some very highly-ranked juniors coming here.

"We are looking forward to all our juniors doing their best. That's all we can ask."

The Island's hosting of such a tournament, Lambert pointed out, gives the Bermudian community a rare chance to assess the progress of its best juniors.

"This give the Bermudian public, coaches, other juniors and the sponsors an opportunity to see our top juniors compete locally.

"It gives everyone an idea of where we stand internationally and it gives the ITF an opportunity to monitor where the host country is as far as development."