NATIONAL Sportsmanship Day continues to expand with exhibitions planned for the annual day on Saturday at the National Sports Centre.

Organiser and Senior Sports Development Officer, Cal Simons, said: "I would like to take the National Sportsmanship Day to a new level. We are creating a festival of sports in the spirit of sportsmanship."

National Sportsmanship Day was started in 2003. "That first year we had an essay contest and a parade and march at City Hall. Then last year the Ministry of Sports created a flag for the annual day and we also had members of the Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame go around to all the schools and speak to the students of the importance of sportsmanship. Now this year we are taking it to the field."

And to that end Simons has invited nine national sporting bodies to come out and give demonstrations of their respective sports.

"In most cases we will have junior and senior members of those sports joining together to create a positive environment where sportsmanship will be demonstrated," said Simons.

"It will be a chance for these national bodies to showcase their sports. And no doubt if some of the kids and others watching want to join up and try those sports, there will be people on hand to give them all the information. I just want people to come out and celebrate sports. It is going to be a great day."

Simons said the day will start at noon with the Opening Ceremony. "We plan to finish at 5 p.m.," he said.

Among the sports staging 30-minute demonstrations will be the Bermuda Amateur Softball Association, the Bermuda Rugby Football Union, the Bermuda Gymnastics Association, the Bermuda Fencing Association and the youngsters from the IAAF Kids Athletics group from the BTFA will also stage a demonstration.

Seniors and juniors from the Bermuda Hockey Association will have a five-a-side game as will players from the Bermuda Netball Association. In football, there will be five-a-side matches involving a national team member along with boys and girls who took part in the BSSF Primary and Middle Schools finals.

And there will also be a double wicket competition involving juniors and members of the national squad. "That should be very popular," said Simons.

"Each group taking part will receive a commemorative medal," added Simons.

The BTFA National Cross Country Championships will be staged on Saturday morning at Astwood Park starting at 8.30.