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.

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