represent the Island against opposition from all over the Caribbean.

Jevon Whitter, Ryan Swan and sisters Sasha and Zoe Fisher leave a week on Saturday for Port of Spain to compete in the International Tennis Federation Caribbean Development Championships.

The youngsters, all at the 14 and under level, will have to qualify for the main draw through round-robin play.

They will face opponents from up to 16 countries in the region and play singles, boys' doubles and girls' doubles.

Whitter and Sasha Fisher both enjoyed notable success during their last major overseas tournament, each reaching the main draw quarter-finals of the Georgia State Junior Open in Atlanta in July.

Whitter, 14, has had a remarkable year, and made his mark at home in May, when he won the men's B singles in the Heineken Open at the Tennis Stadium, as well as reaching the last eight in the men's A event.

He spends two months of the year living with his father George Jordan in Boston and plays tournaments around New England, where he is ranked in the top 10 in his age group.

The foursome will travel with coach Terry Smith and chaperone Sheila Gomez, arriving in Trinidad two days before the one-week tournament starts on Monday, October 11.

"They are training hard, twice a week with me, and they are getting psyched up as they come to the realisation that we are almost ready for the tournament,'' said Smith.

Apart from the obvious benefits of rare exposure to international opposition, Smith said the tournament offered them some attractive spin-off possibilities.

"Within the ITF, there is a lot of opportunity and if they do well, they could get invited into the ITF touring team, which is selected from impressive juniors,'' said Smith.

"There will also be scouts from colleges watching and there is a chance for some of these youngsters to end up with a scholarship.'' Jevon Whitter: one of four of the Island's top junior tennis players heading for Trinidad next week.