Calling all persons interested in being line umpires - the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) needs you.

Given next month's XL Open and the Bank of Bermuda ITF World Ranking Junior Tournament in June, the national sporting body for tennis is undertaking a series of training sessions for those interested in serving as line umpires in these international tournaments.

Training has already started for the XL Open and, when that is concluded in mid-April, another schedule will be announced for the inaugural International Tennis Federation's (ITF) junior event here.

"We have a faithful corps of about 15 people who have been trained throughout the years and are experienced line umpires but we are always trying to add new people to this group.

"In order to do that we must have training sessions to bring these recruits up to a reasonable level so they can perform well in such tournaments," said Allan Simmons who is co-ordinating the training.

Sessions have started for the XL Open and are being held at the Tennis Stadium's clay courts every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. until the tournament serves off on April 14 at Coral Beach Club.

"We would like anyone who is interested to come out to the four sessions we have left. We go through some basic training and tell them what they need to know. It's not difficult, it's just that an individual must have the right personality because you do get criticisms from players," noted Simmons, the BLTA's Honorary Life Vice-President.

"It's a bit of pressure out there. You've got to be alert because the balls are coming pretty fast, depending on where you are on the court. There are certain guidelines and techniques you have to follow to make good calls.

"The main thing is to be accurate in making the calls."

He stressed that line umpires do not have to be diehard tennis players or fans but "it helps that they know the game and how to score".

"It makes it easier when they know about when players change serve and change sides. All of that helps but it's not absolutely necessary."

One notable change in the training sessions which will be held for the ITF tournament is that those will take place on the Tennis Stadium's hard courts as that's the surface on which the juniors will play.