The Sports Ministry yesterday allocated $50,000 to assist the further development of ten of Bermuda's elite junior athletes.

During the ministry's annual National Junior Athlete Sponsorship Programme luncheon held at Fairmont Hamilton Princess, a jovial Sports Minister Dale Butler addressed an audience comprised of deserving athletes, parents, ministry officials and representatives from the Island's various sports bodies before personally handing over financial grants to aid the junior athletes in their future endeavours.

"Today's event was an outstanding success. The smiles of satisfaction from all the junior athletes were worth a million dollars," stated Butler, who attended a sports conference in the Caribbean last week.

"And I am delighted with the fact Government has been able to set aside $50,000 for this event."

Recipients for this year's cash awards included swimmer Nathan Frick, cricketer Stefan Kelly, tennis player Morgan Lightbourne, equestrian Kelby Lusher, footballer Taurean Manders, squash player Robert Maycock, gymnast Caitlyn Mello, hockey player Keishae Robinson, triathlete Coyatito Smith and cyclist Ricky Sousa.

This year saw the overall number of sponsorship awardees drop from 12 last year to ten, while it marked the second year in succession that the ministry had set aside $50,000 to aid some of the Island's top junior prospects.

Also in attendance during yesterday's luncheon were Senior Sports Development Officer Cal Simons, Senator Neville Tyrrell, chairman of the ministry's National Junior Athlete Sponsorship committee Charles Brown, Director of Youth and Sport Brenton Roberts and former ministry Sports Advisor Philip Guishard.

Fifteen-year-old Frick, who represented Bermuda at the Caribbean Island Swimming Championships in Jamaica last year where he set a new 50 metre backstroke record, received $4,900 to go towards tuition at the Somax Advanced Swimming Camp.

St.David's promising fast bowler Kelly, currently enrolled at Oakham School in the UK, received $5,000. Kelly last year represented the Island's Under-23 national cricket team that competed against the visiting West Indies and Barbados on local soil.

Lightbourne, 17, was presented with $5,200 from the ministry. The rising female tennis star has already captured several titles in a still fledgling career.

Lusher, 15, received $5,400 to go towards competing in two overseas competitions later this year.

Manders, currently enrolled at the IMG Soccer Academy in Florida, received $3,500. Manders, who plays locally for North Village, is due to suit up for the New York Metrostars in the Under-19 Super Y League later this year.

2003 Bank of Bermuda Junior Squash Open Championship Under-13 boys champion Maycock received $5,850 to go towards tuition at the Junior CASA in Trinidad and Tobago in July and the Canadian Junior Open in December.

Mello, 12, was presented with $5,950 to attend various international gymnastics events and for the recruitment of a choreographer this year, while 14-year-old Sousa received $4,600 to help him attend the Whistlestop Duathlon training camp in the US and Robinson $3,510 to go towards various hockey camps and tuition costs at Seaford College.

Smith, this year's final sponsorship recipient, received $5,500 to be used for the purchase of a new racing bike and to help improve training.

See photos Page 21