The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association executives have responded to claims made by a group of parents regarding logistical issues around the junior national team programme.

BLTA President Perry Newton said that statements made by the group at a press conference earlier this week not only damage the coaches, but the junior national team programme itself. He stood by the selection and ratification process of the coaches.

“Some of the comments made by parents in a press conference on Monday were defamatory in nature as they belittled the coaches who served on the BLTA national tennis teams,” Newton said. “The comments have the potential to damage the good reputation of certified and qualified coaches.

“The standard for national team representation as a coach is outlined by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) under which the BLTA is governed. All the coaches possess the coaching prerequisites, as the ITF approved their nomination ahead of competition. These coaches are certified and are actively coaching, some with many years of experience in the coaching arena.

The trips in question were the World Juniors team competition in El Salvador on February 19-27 and the Junior Billie Jean King and Junior Davis Cup from March 4-12 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

“It is not best practice for parents to choose national coaches and not in keeping with the practice of the BLTA over the many years of its existence. Even though parents may prefer their personal coaches or desire a particular coach over another coach, it does not give them cause to disrespect the coach selected or denigrate the coach’s ability,” he said.

“The attacks to the coach’s competency or suitability is based on opinion and not facts as the BLTA’s selection is guided by the ITF’s standards. Restricting coaches from serving who qualify creates a barrier and promotes a classist environment.

“Two coaches who hail from Freeport were considered by some of the parents as not a part of the tennis community despite the fact that one of the coaches participated at the highest level as a former Fed Cup player and former national team coach and is instrumental in coaching tennis in Grand Bahama,” Newton continued.

“The tennis community is comprised of persons all over The Bahamas, and not just in Nassau. To restrict the tennis community to Nassau or within a particular sphere limits the growth of the sport. The coaches were capable and competent. All of the recent coaches served as national team coaches except for one, and that particular coach was able to coach the team to the quarterfinals, a very good first-time coaching result . . . The BLTA fielded four teams in a two-week span in March 2022. Out of the four teams that competed for The Bahamas, one made it to the Finals and another to the Quarterfinals. The coaches and players performed to the best of their ability on these teams. There were many talented players from various nations competing and The Bahamas made a very positive impact.”

As for funding junior national team trips, Newton said they continue to seek alternative means to facilitate the growth of the sport at all levels.

“The ITF paid 100% of accommodations for players and coaches on all the trips. The BLTA covered 100% of the coaches’ flight costs and coaching fees,” he said. “The association also covered 100% of baggage costs and covered travel incidentals. The BLTA also covered 50% of all the players flight costs and was also able to assist those players who travelled from outside of The Bahamas (which is not the norm). The association continues to seek ways to absorb the costs of the national teams.

“The BLTA sends approximately eight teams per year with costs ranging from $4,000 - $13,000 each, depending on the team,” he said, “A lot of information that has been circulated has been misrepresented and has the potential to be inflammatory. The association has met with the parents prior to travel and during travel. We are witnessing the attacks on the coaches’ competencies in the media despite positive results from the competitions.

“The Bahamas has obtained great successes in tennis regionally and was able to have three out of seven teams in the last nine months in the Finals of a regional competition with one advancing to the Qualifier stage. The BLTA is pleased with the talent we possess, as we continue to strive to make a mark on the international stage. It is important to move towards building all aspects of the sport and not to tear down persons. This is not beneficial to the sport or its stakeholders.”