Track Club might be described.

This enthusiastic group of youngsters -- backed by their equally enthusiastic parents -- not only puts their hearts and souls into sport but also into working constructively towards achieving the goals that go with it.

Formed in 1981 by a group of concerned parents, the Club's aim remains the promotion of track and field as well as the development of each individual child.

The original concept of giving children not accepted into the Bermuda national programme a sports forum in which to compete and grow, regardless of their level of performance, is still valid today -- as a host of international awards and honours proves.

The scheme has worked so well, in fact, that nine of the 13-member national squad today are Pacer members. Others have brought glory to their club through medals won at the Carifta games, by being included in an overseas athletic hall of fame, and by gaining sports scholarships to US colleges.

"Jarita Dill and Seyoum Tuzo are listed in the East Coast Invitational Track Meet's bronze hall of fame, and Devon Bean is listed in the silver hall of fame,'' Club president, Mrs. Judith Simmons, said. "We also have athletes who are ranked in the top ten: Gina Cann, Shequita Parsons, Jarita Dill, Devon Bean and Stephen Woodley.

"Past members who have gone on are high jumper Troy Glasgow, middle-long distance runner Kavin Smith, and triple jumper Brian Wellman, as well as Leslie Rooks,'' Mrs. Simmons continued.

Albert Donawa and middle distance runner Terrance Armstrong are scholarship winners.

Last year, the Club was honoured by the East Coast Invitational Track Meet organisers for a decade's participation, and the Bermudians were also mentioned in its magazine.

Of course, prizes and accolades don't come without a lot of hard work and dedication, as those who participate in the Pacers programme soon realise, and part of the athletes' success comes from the fact that their parents are as supportive as the coaches.

"We have a very dedicated team of parents who function as the executive, and that's important,'' public relations officer Mr. Allan Hunt explained.

"In fact, most of us are involved because of our children.'' Indeed, it was because of his children that Mr. Hunt first heard of the Bermuda Pacers Track Club.

"My son was involved in athletics, and when I returned from the UK I was directed to the Club,'' he said. "It was the best information I could have received, and it has proved worthwhile to my son as well.'' Mrs. Simmons had a similar story.

"I have been involved since 1988 when my son was interested in track. I think it is a very wholesome activity for children to be involved in. It can develop discipline as well as athletic skills,'' she said.

Despite a membership of more than 100, which doubled in the last year alone, she said the executive took care to preserve the same sense of family which prevailed when Pacers was first formed.

"Each member of the executive has a group of parents with whom they keep in contact to give them relevant information. Even if a child loses a note about something at the Club, the parent will still know what's going through the executive member contact,'' the president explained.

To help with the athletes' development, Pacers has four coaches working with the youngsters. Headed by Mr. Calvin Simons, they are Mr. Gregory Simons, Ms Sonja Showers and Mr. Norbert Simons.

"We have training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4.30 p.m.

to approximately 6 p.m., although that varies with the seasons,'' Mrs. Simmons explained. "We normally train at the National Stadium, but while the track is being resurfaced the Police are allowing us to use their field.'' Training sessions begin with learning what Mr. Hunt terms "the importance of warming up properly, and stretching exercises, which are vital to any athlete'' before they move on to specific training patterns associated with the particular sport in which they are interested.

Seasonal training begins in September with cross country work until the switch is made in February to track and field training.

"After watching a child do various things, coaches try to identify and then concentrate on what he or she's best at,'' Mr. Hunt explained. "In that way we don't have a child doing a bit of everything and achieving nothing.'' Officials also prepare a profile on each athlete, indicating their personal best, what they have accomplished, and how they have improved over a given period of time. It is a way of keeping children informed on how they're doing.

In addition, each Pacer athlete has a participation sheet which they must have completed by officials at any meet in which they participate. "It makes them more responsible to have to go up to a meet director and ask what their time was or what distance they did in relation to where they placed,'' the president explained.

But the emphasis is not all on athletics. Young Pacers are also encouraged to do well academically -- another reason why Club officials attach such importance to parental involvement.

Since competing in events abroad is a major part of the Pacers athletes' lives, fund-raising is also an integral part of the process. Gospel concerts, bake sales, pot luck suppers, car washes and golf tournaments are some of the ways members have worked to ease the financial burden on the children's families.

The annual workathon is another. As they have done so often, the young Pacers recently fanned out to rest homes across the Island to lend a helping hand in exchange for pledges from sponsors.

"They mowed lawns, washed windows, vacuumed carpets and more,'' Mr. Hunt explained. "The main purpose was to raise funds to take the children to the East Coast International Track Meet -- a major annual event where they compete by age group. This year it's going to be at the George Mason University track in Virginia from July 23-25.'' Before that the young Pacers will be seen in their distinctive green shorts and gold shirts participating in the Bermuda Day opening ceremony at Bernard Park, as they did last year.

At year's end, when all the races have been run, and the jumps have been jumped, parents and athletes alike will gather at the Princess Hotel in Pembroke for the annual awards presentation, which will be attended by members of all political parties and a guest speaker.

"Each child receives a certificate of participation and a small trophy,'' Mrs. Simmons explained. "Anyone who has done exceptionally well gets a larger trophy. The kids really get a sense of self-worth. That is seen in the way they express themselves.'' Further information on how to join Bermuda Pacers Track Club is available from Mrs. Simmons (tel. 238-1179 after 6 p.m.). Family membership is $20 per year.

SPRING CLEANERS ... Head coach Calvin Simons (back row, left) joins young athletes from the Bermuda Pacers Track Club -- Stephanie Woodley (back row, right), Charlicia Herry (front row, left) and Tyler Owen (front row, right) -- in giving screens at the Lorraine Rest Home the brush-off. The project was part of the Club's annual workathon.

YES, WE DO WINDOWS! Bermuda Pacers Track Club athletes Sandia Savery (left) and Janine Scott happily shine windows at the Lorraine Rest Home to help raise funds for their Club's forthcoming participation in an athletic meet abroad.