This year's inaugural Lori McNeil/Elbow Beach Celebrity Tennis Classic could serve as a lightning rod for junior tennis in Bermuda, with $25,000 expected to be realised from the event.

With various sponsors splashing out cash in support of the fundraiser, which features stars of screen, stage, politics, boxing, and, of course, tennis, local youth can expect a much-needed windfall which will be used for travel overseas to international tournaments.

"For us to fly our top juniors to the Caribbean, the tickets start at $850 just to get them there, and you should send at least six to make it worthwhile," explained Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association president David Lambert. "Then you want to keep them there for at least three weeks along with a coach, so you're talking about $10,000 gobbled up right there.

"That is the reality and we've searched different ways of acquiring this money. Lori McNeil and I spoke last October and this event has been in the works for almost a year, and through the hard work of Sheila Gomez, Sarah Cook and their committees it has come to fruition.

"Everything takes money, and we are using this event to raise money for our junior tennis, money that will be primarily earmarked for travel next next year.

"The BLTA is presently structuring a calendar where our top juniors will have opportunities to travel to tournaments along the eastern seaboard, the Caribbean and ITF international ranking tournaments, as it is a strong objective of the BLTA for as many of our top juniors as possible to acquire ITF world ranking points, which in turn will help our juniors acquire tennis scholarships to college."

After having celebrities, including the likes of former New York city mayor David Dinkins, boxer Laila Ali, actress Robin Givens, and female tennis players Amanda Coetzer and McNeil, participate in clinics yesterday and this morning, the event reaches its zenith with McNeil teaming with former Bermuda number one Ricky Mallory, against world number 13 Coetzer and top local male James Collieson in a mixed doubles affair at the Tennis Stadium today (1.00 p.m. start).

And in keeping with the youthful theme, 1000 local schoolchildren have been invited to attend, and will have chance to meet and have their pictures taken with the stars.

"These children will be able to look back down the line and say "I was in a picture with these celebrities'," said Lambert. "I was in a picture with Arthur Ashe and Charlie Pasarell and Pancho Segoro and you never forget that, because you're only that age once and after that it's a memory and a part of your history.

"And the match should be a very exciting one to finish the day, so we hope that the Bermuda public come out and enjoy it, and for $30 a ticket, with the money going as an investment in our youngsters, our future, it's well worth the price.

"Like I said, this money goes towards the plan we have for next year, and the more we have the more often we can send them and for longer periods, which will only benefit them, our tennis locally and indeed the Island.

"In the United States you have regionals and nationals, but the difference is that there you can rent a van and drive to the next state, or you can catch a train to the nationals, whereas, in Bermuda, you have to catch a plane. This is the reality and at the end of the day we have to deal with these things called expenses."

Tickets for today's event are still available from the BLTA office at the Tennis Stadium (296-0834), or at the gate.

Places remain for the celebrity golf tournament tomorrow at Port Royal. For more information contact Bill Pitt at Port Royal (234-0974).