Bermuda’s elite junior athletes were recognised at a luncheon held by the Ministry of Sports at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess yesterday for their achievements in sport.The event acknowledged young Bermuda athletes, whether on the Island or abroad, in their respective sports and the success that they have enjoyed in their respective fields.The national junior athlete sponsorship programme helps young athletes with funds to participate in events and camps that will better their athletic performances.All awardees were given cheques and plaques as a sign of their potential and awareness in their respective sports.Emma Franklin, Damali Bell and Owen Siese were the biggest winners, with all three receiving over $5,000 towards their training.The programme, now in its 18th year and with more than $675,000 distributed, recognised 13 athletes who will join an illustrious group of more than 111 former student athletes who received similar funding.Swimmer Franklin was awarded $5,582 to attend the Dave Johnson training camp in Canada with the money going towards airfare, accommodations, training and coaching sessions.The 16-year-old Saltus student is the current junior Female Athlete of the Year.Siese, a sailor, was awarded $5,700 to attend La Rochell in France with a coach and pay for training and coaching.The Warwick Academy student is the current Bermuda National Champion and recently competed in the World Youth Olympics in Singapore.Bell, who is currently in Dubai with the senior national cricket team, was awarded $5,326.95 to attend 12 weeks of training and coaching at the Kent Cricket Academy.Also getting substantial funds for their future were Jaeda Smith, Chris Rego, Juron Tucker, and Shaquille Dill.Equestrienne Smith was given $4,875 to attend the Teddi Ismond training facility in Virginia for three weeks while tennis player Rego was handed $4,850 to attend the ITF coaching and training sessions and pay for tournament fees.Rego is the current number one junior tennis player in the Caribbean and Central America region.Tucker, a basketball player, got $4,662 to attend the IMG Academy summer camp for three weeks.Track and field athlete Dill was awarded $4,015 to attend the New Balance Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina and the New England Outdoor Championship.The 17-year-old won a silver medal at the 2010 Carifta Games while also grabbing a gold at the CAC Junior Championship.Also getting awards were Nazhir Smith ($3,855) towards his squash education, Khari Place who was given $3,703 to attend the International Summer School of Golf in Scotland, and Rai Simons was presented with $3,300 to attend a trial at West Ham United.Nico Barclay was given $2,357.59 to attend the USAT skills camp West for triathletes, Jennifer Chisnall ($2,254) was given money to attend the Southgate Hockey Centre Summer Residential Camp in London, Ontario.Kayjuna Lema was honoured with $2,024 to attend the Jean Pierre Netball Tournament