Darian King, a product of the ITF’s Junior Tennis Initiative programme held in Barbados has finished the year with a career high ranking of #482 in singles and #532 in doubles after only two years competing on the Men’s Pro Circuit.

Having reached a high of #47 in the ITF Junior rankings in early 2010 and playing three of the four Junior Grand Slam events during that year, King moved up to the senior ranks in late 2010. He then went on to win his first two Futures doubles titles with partner and fellow Barbadian Haydn Lewis in early 2011.

King now aged 20, completed his 2012 tournament schedule in fine style by winning the Men’s F14 Futures Doubles Championship with Australian partner Yuri Bezeruk in Merida, Mexico in mid November. He won his first two Futures singles titles in Manzanillo, Mexico, in September. The F14 doubles win was Darian's fourth for 2012, therefore taking his total number of Pro Circuit titles to an impressive eight.

Prior to heading to Mexico, he competed in the qualifying rounds of the higher graded ATP Challengers in Charlottesville and Knoxville, USA where he had some good wins over players ranked in the top 300s.
Playing under lights in Merida, King and Bezeruk had a comfortable 6-3, 6-1 straight-sets victory over Mexican Mauricio Astorga and Marvin Barker of New Zealand.

King just missed out on playing in another final, bowing out in the semis to Frenchman and eventual singles champion Lucas Pouille 0-6, 4-6. Having broken into the world’s top 500 ranked players Darian is aiming higher for 2013, and plans to play further higher graded Challengers and other ATP events which offer more ranking points per win. In addition, Darian’s goal is to make it into the top 250 and hopefully play the [qualifiers] of a Grand Slam event in 2013.

The Barbados Tennis Association would like to thank the ITF’s Grand Slam Development Fund (GSDF) for their assistance towards Darian’s travel expenses during his time on the Pro Circuit.

US Embassy (Barbados) Support Schools Tennis

The United States Embassy in Bridgetown (Barbados) will continue their funding to assist the Barbados Tennis Federation INC Schools Tennis Programme for 2012-13.

Under the direction of coach Julian Baird and Assistant Secretary of the Association Mrs Margot Thomson a mini tennis exhibition tournament was recently held at the National Tennis Centre, Wildey for 60 students from the Luther Thorne, Blackman Gollop and Grantley Prescod Primary schools.

Seven and eight-year-old were regular participants in weekly 90 minute mini tennis coaching sessions the Embassy has been supporting in collaboration with the Association, the Barbados Olympic Association and the National Sports Council since 2011.

At the official launch, US Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Mr. Larry Palmer told the students that once they practiced regularly and played to the best of their abilities, there was no reason they could not be the next big tennis superstars like Venus & Serena Williams, Pete Sampras, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal."

Dr Raymond Forde in his speech embraced the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Play and Stay Campaign in 2011 before the use of the balls were mandotory in 2012 The campaign centres around the slogan serve, rally and score and recommends that starter players play the game from the first lesson. With this focus in mind the Association embarked on increasing participation by targeting primary schools within close proximity to the National Tennis Centre as the Embassy contributes to the transportation and coaches fees.

For more information please see the link:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150660237487470.380300.275249287469&type=3

Cayman Islands Tennis Federation introduce Tennis in Primary Schools

The Tennis Federation of The Cayman Islands, with support from their sponsor Walkers, have facilitated the introduction of tennis in 9 Government Primary Schools.  Noel Watkins has taken the lead with providing coaching to support the PE teachers at most of the schools.  Thomas Neuert, Rob Seward and Adam Bailey also support our ‘in-school’ tennis program.  With the launch of the Government’s After Schools Program by Mr Michael Myles, who is the government coordinator for the after school program which is attended by approximately 1,200 children, The Tennis Federation has assisted by providing tennis equipment sponsored by the International Tennis Federation and Dunlop. Volunteers Edward Bodden, Richard McField and Alex Leonard are assisting with the after schools program.  The Federation is looking for more volunteers to assist with tennis activities at their new Paul Howard Junior Community Tennis Courts which were recently opened providing four permanent Under 8 mini courts for all to enjoy, play and stay!

The President Mr Jeremy Superfine expressed thanks to the hard work of the Tennis Federation, volunteers, pros and sponsors, since there has been an increase in the uptake of tennis in the under 10 year old age groups.  We have developed a structure that encourages players from age of 4 to start playing tennis and remain playing tennis for many years.  Our main programs include the Walkers School program, the  Cayman National Tennis 10s and the PWC Junior Circuit.

According to Mr Michael Myles (Programme Coordinator and Liaison Officer-at Risk Youths) in the Ministry of Education, Training and Employment shared the goals of the after schools programme:


1. Provide comprehensive, high quality youth development activities that will provide: educational,   therapeutic, recreational, mentoring and cultural programmes and services to improve the social, emotional and academic competencies of children.
2. Methods to increase parental participation with children and the schools
3. An intense intervention programme for children at risk

The Ministry believe it must be proactive in protecting youngsters between 3pm-7pm. We must provide our youths with activities that inspires learning, friendship and community. The Ministry is also looking to mobilize communities and schools to work together in supporting our youths.

For more information you can check out the face book page (Tennis Federation of the Cayman Islands)

ITF SUPPORTS LEVEL 1 IN TURKS AND CAICOS

Turks and Caicos after one and half years completed its level 1 Coaching Certification. Unable to secure funding from it National Olympic Committee the Turks and Caicos Islands Tennis federation decided they will seek alternative measure as the International Tennis Federation funded the three part course. The objective is to ensure coaches were updated with the latest information so they can better develop children on the islands.

It began in 2010 when the first Play Tennis Course was organized. This was followed by a second Play Tennis Course in 2011, which were to ensure the interest and enthusiasm was maintained. Employed participants found it difficult to commit to twelve full days to complete the Level 1; however after discussions with the Development Officer it was agreed to divide the Level 1 in two parts. Since participants had already completed two Play Tennis Courses it was agreed to the nine remaining days for Level 1.

Ten participants made up of three female and seven male completed the first five days from April 25th to May 2nd 2012 during a development visit. the final four days were completed from 2-7 November 2012. 

On completion of the course Mrs Tanis Wake-Forbes (Secretary) commented: The completion of the Level 1 for ten participants of the TCITF is a major factor in our Federation's progress. Not only does this provide a broader based to improve our Junior National Tennis Programme, but will also provide a number of qualified coaches to sit on our certification board in assessing new coaches.

We could not have done this without the help of the International Tennis Federation and our Development Officer who was invaluable; both in meeting our needs and the information and we thank the ITF for such a great programme, assistance and representation.

The First Permanent Mini Tennis (Red Court) Courts in the Caribbean

The Tennis Federation of the Cayman Islands opened its first public court with the support of a cooperate sponsor (DART) on Saturday 3rd October 2012. Public courts has been one of the Federations goals in bringing tennis to the grass roots so anyone interested will have the opportunity to play.

The International Tennis Federation and Dunlop has played a part by contributing equipment to the programmes in Cayman and ITF will continue to support the initiative through the Equipment Distribution Programme (EDP).

According to the President of the Local Governing body of tennis Mr. Jeremy Superfine: This is an exciting step in the development of tennis in the Cayman Islands. These permanent courts for players 8&under are the first in the Cayman Islands and we understand the first permanent mini courts in the Caribbean. We hope to encourage an increase the number of children ages 4 and upwards to play and enjoy more tennis.

We have great interest and enthusiasm from the primary schools that plan to use the new community courts in the next few weeks. We are grateful to our main sponsor (DART) who supported this project and Cayman National who we look forward to receiving further sponsorship in support of upcoming Tennis10s' activities as one is proposed for October 17th 2012.

For more information please see the Federation face book page: Tennis Federation of the Cayman Islands

Suriname as host country won the Inter Guyana Tennis Games after winning 5 of 6 categories. The tournament was held at the Oase Tennis Club from 25-28 October 2012 . French Guyana, Guyana and host country Suriname submitted boys and girls teams in 12, 14 and 18&under age groups.

The idea to organize the event emerged after discussions during the International Tennis Federation 13&under Caribbean Development Championships, which was held in Suriname from 29th August to 3rd September 2011. It was agreed to have a team concept as each country were allowed to enter two boys and two girls in each age division using Davis Cup by BNP Paribas format of two singles and one doubles.

According to Juan Pigot(President of Suriname Tennis Bond), the tournament was a great success and after a meeting between the presidents of the Suriname Tennis Association and Guyana Tennis Association and Vice President of the French Guyana Tennis Association, it was decided to have the event annually and how it can be integrated into the various programmes and calendars.

In January a decision will be made on the country that will host the games in 2013 as French Guyana and Guyana are both very Keen. For more information on the games please check the following link: www.surinametennis.com

In a continued effort to improve Coach Education in the Caribbean the International Tennis Federation conducted two Short Theme Courses, which focused on (Long Term Player Development and Working with Top Players). The course was funded by Olympic Solidarity in conjunction with the Antigua and Barbuda Olympic Committee and the Antigua and Barbuda Tennis Association.

Ten coaches from eight countries within the Caribbean, committed themselves to seven days of intense weather and great activities: (Aruba, Antigua and Barbuda, Bonaire, Dominica, Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago).

The goal of the course was to provide coaches with the latest information on specific sports science and coaching topics. Mr Karl Davies did an excellent job as coaches shared their positive feedback and hope similar courses be held in the near future.

The Development Officer (Anthony Jeremiah) felt the course was a success and believed valuable information was gained and must be shared with others when the coaches return to their respective countries, if the wider Caribbean is to succeed in its quest for excellence.

The priority was to further develop National Coordinators for Junior Tennis Initiative in their respective countries, since they are in the best position to lead the initiatives.

Some coaches shared their comments:

Nice refresh on Play Tennis Theory and how it fits in the long term athlete development, together with the intervention skills when working with top players. (Trevor -Suriname)

The course was extensive and the knowledge gained was priceless, the contents was structured and well delivered. (Nicolas -Guyana)

Intensive eight days, good presentation with long term planning for coaches, players and administrators from learning to active life.

I learnt how to tweet in teaching and the importance of demonstration. (Erica -Antigua)

Great course and awesome presentation, it was well worth the time to attend. (Evans- Jamaica)

The workshop was really enlightening, it made me realized that I didn't know as much as I did. (Charisma- Antigua)

Very good workshop with lots of interaction with other coaches and players. I also learnt the structure of a lesson plan. (Jonathan- Aruba)

Very informative, well presented, in depth and well received. (Kevin- Barbados).

For more information on ITF courses please check the following link:

http://en.coaching.itftennis.com/courses/specific-theme.aspx