The Tribune

THIS summer was hot and so were the tennis activities all across The Bahamas. A number of successful programmes were held at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) this summer. 

Firstly, the NTC held both morning and afternoon tennis camps that allowed children to learn tennis in a fun-filled environment. 

There were approximately 100 students and the participants included first timers and active players. Forehands, backhands, serves, volleys and overhands were just a few of the skills taught.  

The kids were also taught to work together in teams and to exhibit good sportsmanship. 

During camp there were opportunities to teach life lessons that they can carry with them. We thank all those who assisted with the NTC camps.

Coach Steve Taylor also held a summer camp at the NTC. Coach Taylor is consistently impacting the lives of kids through tennis.  Other summer tennis camps were also held in Nassau that  made a positive contribution to the sport.

Eleuthera

Coach Artie Johnson also held a very successful summer camp in Eleuthera. 

The 24th Annual All Eleuthera Youth Summer Tennis Camp was once again a huge success.  Coach Artie Johnson is a testament to consistency and dedication in the sport of tennis. The president of the Eleuthera Tennis Association extends thanks to all of the camp managers, coaches, speakers and sponsors. The camp ended with a beach party and awards presentation. 

President Johnson thanked Elva Nixon, camp manager for 24 years, the first year assistant camp manager and major fundraiser Lisa Penn, coaches Chris Evans and Mechelle Walker. Thanks was extended also to sponsors Juan Bacardi of Bristol’s Wines & Spirits, Robert D’Albenas, Mr Wesley Lambert, Pineapple Fields, Tipys Restaurant, French Leaves Resort c/o 1648 Restaurant, Sunset Inn Restaurant, Ronnie’s Hideaway Restaurant and Bar, Denise Johnson, Pauline Cardy-Johnson, and all of the volunteers that made this year’s camp a success.

Grand Bahama

Summer camps also took place in Grand Bahama. At one of the camps coach Sharon and Gregory Greene held the 242Tennis summer camp at the Grand Lucayan courts introducing the kids to tennis in a fun environment. The kids were also taught paddle tennis and golf.

Inagua

Coach Danny Rigby from Grand Bahama helps to conduct a summer tennis programme in Inagua. 

Earlier this year, coach Paula Whitfield from the BLTA Play Tennis programme was also in Inagua assisting Sophia Smith and Inagua Tennis in a developmental clinic. The BLTA sent some equipment to assist the development in Inagua. It is great to witness this sharing between the islands in laying the building blocks of growth as coach Rigby, who is from Grand Bahama, also gave back with the Inagua Tennis Camp.

At the end of the various tennis camps in the country, there was a marked improvement in the tennis skills of the children. 

The camps were enjoyable and exciting and will spark the tennis journey for many. The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) congratulates all the coaches and assistants on a job well done.