Six junior athletes will share $20,000, donated by the Ministry of Youth Development, Sport and Recreation, to aid in their development as part of the third annual National Junior Athlete Sponsorship Programme.

But names of the recipients won't be announced until tomorrow's presentation at the Department of Youth Development, Sport and Recreation at 1.30 p.m.

The programme is designed to provide encouragement and incentives to the athletes who clearly show commitment, promise and achievement in their particular sport.

The governing bodies that represent the recipients' sports will receive the money which will be used for the further development of the chosen athlete.

That may include tuition or coaching, equipment purchases and expenses for international training events or competition.

Sports governing bodies submitted their selected candidate to the National Junior Athlete Sponsorship Committee -- chaired by Jean Atherden and including Brenda Dale, Cal Simons, Randy Horton, Clint Smith and Philip Guishard, who is the secretary.

There were a total of 10 nominations. Each sport is allowed to have just one recipient each year.

Last year the six winners were equestrienne Melissa Pereech, squash player Nicholas Kyme, swimmer Craig Ferguson, runner Jarita Dill, tennis player Jensen Bascome and golfer Quinton Sherlock.

According to Anthony Roberts, Director of Youth Development, Sport and Recreation, the programme was started as a follow-up to the Elite Athletes Assistance Programme to help junior athletes reach the level of elite status.

"They share $20,000 which goes to the governing bodies of the sports selected to be used for the further development of that particular athlete,'' said Roberts. "It completes the umbrella, as it were, from junior development to senior development and international development and it provides for our junior athlete who has superior skill and ability to reach their full potential and represent us well in the national and international arena.'' GOVERNMENT GVT