The Tribune

AT the close of the International Tennis Federation Level 1 Coaching Course over the weekend, the participants from the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association were able to put all the knowledge and skill learned into practice.

On court at the National Tennis Centre, the coaches implemented lesson plans that they designed. Expert instructor John Goede, the ITF developmental officer for the Caribbean, led the group over the past 12 days at the National Tennis Centre.

Bahamian Chelsi Russell was the assistant tutor.

The course followed the Play Tennis Course "PTC" hosted earlier in March by the BLTA.

Building off the PTC, the ITF Level 1 has expanded the minds and creativity of the coaches.

The course was designed to give coaches the tools and skills to coach beginners and intermediate. The participants in the course included Rodney Carey, Brent Johnson, Keith Greene, Sharon Greene, Mike Butler, Perry Newton, MacArthur Rigby, Nolan Johnson, Shannon Francis, Philip Major, Rasheed Carey and Julio Valdez.

The BLTA congratulates the coaches who took advantage of the opportunity.

"Bahamas Tennis should benefit from the improvement in the coaching base," BLTA president Darnett Weir said.

"We encourage the coaches to continue to contribute their services and talent to the overall enhancement of the sport.

"We thank Mr Goede and the ITF for the support and the sharing of knowledge, ideas and experiences.

"We also thank Chelsi for being a major support in her role as assistant tutor. Thanks to the Olympic Solidarity Fund and the Bahamas Olympic Committee who were instrumental in providing for the course."

Coaching is key in the development of the sport.