Eight of Bermuda's most promising young sportspersons - from triathletes to equestrians - have received sponsorship awards from Government to assist their development in their respective sports.

During a ceremony at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess yesterday, Sports Minister Randy Horton and Director of Youth and Sport Brenton Roberts presented the awards and showered praise on the young achievers.

"Nothing makes me feel better than to celebrate young people," said the minister, addressing the gathering that included relatives of the awardees and various sporting representatives.

"It certainly makes me feel good, as I'm sure it does your parents who are here with you and of course your coaches as well who are here to share this moment with you."

Horton noted how important it was that Bermuda helped provide opportunities for young people to develop and hone skills in their respective disciplines.

"These young people have shown considerable determination. They have already shown they have the mettle, patience and attitude to become great athletes.

"We (Ministry of Youth and Sport) just want to encourage them in reaching the greatest heights they can possibly reach and these awards are a small step towards helping them fulfil the dreams that they may have," said the minister.

Among the awardees were 1999 Triathlete of the Year Jonathan Herring, who received $2,250 for his exploits in the tri-discipline competition. The University of Virginia freshman was the Bermuda Bicycle Association Time Trial champion last year and is also a two-time Olympic and Sprint distance champion.

Adam Petty received a $1,800 reward for excellence in cycling. The former Saltus Grammar School pupil holds a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and was the runner-up in the 2000 Denton Hurdle award for middle schools. Petty is also the reigning champion in his age group in the Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race, National Road Race championships, Conyers, Dill & Pearman Grand Prix and the Bermuda Bicycle Association's Time Trial. He plans to attend a Cycling Junior Development Camp in the United States.

Optimist Dinghy Class sailor, Jessie Kirkland - the youngest recipient - was awarded $3,900. In 1999 and 2000, he captured the Bermuda National Championships but his crowning moment to date was the 1999 US National Championships. There, he not only won his age group but, remarkably, placed fourth overall among 250 boats. Kirkland is the current Orange Bowl Jr. Olympic Regatta champion and is ranked 13th out of 220 boats worldwide.

Equestrian Lindsay Sousa is the current Hunter Classic champion and also placed first in the Junior Horsemanship Medal. During the Bermuda Horse and Pony Spring event, she was Junior Hunter Horse Model, Warm Blood Over Fences and the age 15-18 champion. She was awarded $4,000.

James Stout's squash accomplishments earned him $3,450 in sponsorship. Last year, he defended his Caribbean Under-17 title and won the Public Schools First Pairs Cup in doubles racquets, at Queens Club, London.

Ryan Swan gained $3,000 sponsorship for his tennis exploits which included a semi-final spot in last year's Heineken Open Men's 'A' singles tournament and and the runner-up in the men's doubles at the Port Royal Tennis Club Adult Open. Presently Bermuda's top-ranked junior and sixth in the adult men's singles and doubles rankings, Swan is also a member of Bermuda's Davis Cup team set to play in St. Vincent next month.

High jumper Zindzi Swan hopes to continue to soar to even greater heights with $3,500 in assistance. A gold medallist during last year's Carifta Games held in Grenada, the CedarBridge Academy student is also the current holder of the national high jump record (5'71/4) which she achieved at Carifta.

The $3,100 given to swimmer Darren Woods will go a considerable way towards funding his enrolment at the Jack Nelson Swim Camp and to financing an upcoming international swim meet in Waterloo, Canada.

Horton told the athletes that Bermuda appreciated the efforts and strides they were making.

"We hope that you will be an example for other young people, who may be able to touch you at school, on the field, on the bike, swimming pool or wherever it might be," added the minister.