The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE third annual Southern Shores Tennis Clinic is currently underway at the Percy Munnings Community Centre. And according to coordinator Cory Francis, this promises to be an exciting time for all of the participants.

The clinic got started on Tuesday and will wrap up on Friday. It will be held daily between the hours of 9am to noon for boys and girls between the ages of five and 14 years.

“The purpose of the camp is to try and find some young talent and to give kids an opportunity that they probably would not get,” he said.

“I want to be able to teach them how to get along, resolve conflict, how to dress, how to present themselves to people and how to act and manage their study time.

“This is more a character building mainly. The tennis is just a springboard to what I am trying to accomplish.”

So far, Francis said he has been pleased with the turnout and the participation of the campers.

“We’ve had good response from the sponsors as well. It’s been much better than the last two years,” he said. “So we think we will be able to accomplish a lot more with the campers this year.”

Francis said the clinic was originally scheduled for two weeks, but he has to cut it short because he was invited by the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association to participate in an International Tennis Federation coaches’ course.

He promised to invite the campers back to a one-week, after-school programme in September to make up for it.

Zaria McKinney, one of the girls in the camp, said she’s looking forward to participating again this year.

“I couldn’t wait for the camp to start,” said McKinney, who will be entering the seventh grade at Nassau Christian Academy.

“I had a lot of fun the last time and I want to win the overall award for the best camper again,” she added.

And Jason Francis, the 12-year-old son of instructor Francis, said his father has taught him a lot about the game and he hopes to learn more.

“I got to meet some of my old friends and this is also a chance for me to improve on my game,” said Francis, who is heading into the eighth grade at Anatol Rodgers High School.

“My father has helped me to improve on my swing, but I am also working hard on trying to develop my game. I love to play soccer too, so I am trying to decide which one I like more.”

The elder Francis said they are looking forward to a fun-filled week and they are still open to having others who are interested to come out and take part.