For the third consecutive year, the Anguilla Tennis Academy’s After School Programme has graduated more than 60 children. On Friday, July 6, over 100 children and their parents gathered at the Teachers’ Resource Centre Auditorium for an awards ceremony and informal dinner. Presentations were made by the ATA’s Executive Director Mr. Jason Allen, visiting coach from England Mr. Will Edmonds, Head Pro of the ATA Mr. Rodney Ross, and the Founder and President of the ATA Mr. Mitchell Lake. During the ceremony, summaries of this year’s events were given, certificates handed out to all who participated, trophies presented to the winners and finalists of the year end tournament and special awards were distributed as well.

Young people awarded by Anguilla Tennis Academy

Jason Allen chaired the ceremony and spoke highly of the efforts of the entire ATA staff. He especially mentioned the fact the Rodney Ross had put a great deal of effort towards the children’s programme and although he had experienced a sort of culture shock in Anguilla, he had made good strides. Rodney is a native of Trinidad and Tobago and had a successful junior career there as well as an eight year coaching job at various places including some country clubs and the University of the West Indies. Jason mentioned, “although Rodney has much to learn, he has worked diligently to improve the level of the children. He continues to study to better himself so that he can work on developing junior tennis players. He has been an asset to the After School Programme and the children have benefited from his commitment to excellence.”

The After School Programme is comprised of 80 children and they are divided into 4 groups; pee wee (ages 5-7), intermediate (8-10), advanced (11-17), and the tournament group (11-17). There were tournaments played during the final week of June that would decide the top players in each division. Trophies were presented to the finalists and winners for each category at the ceremony: Pee Wee Champion – Antoine Laurent and Finalist – Cristian Estrada; Intermediate Champion Bernice Brooks and Finalist – Sabrina Connor; Advanced Champion – Daniel Andrews and Finalist – Kyle Hawkins; Tournament Group Champion – Katie Hawkins and Finalist – Kyle Hawkins. This year’s tournaments were directed by Will Edmonds who employed a unique format for the Advanced and Tournament Group Championships. It was decided that the winner and finalist of the Advanced group would be entered in the Tournament Group Championships as wildcards. This proved to provide a little bit of drama as the final result was quite shocking. Kyle Hawkins, who was a finalist in the Advanced Group, played exceptionally well by avenging his previous loss to Daniel Andrews and beat other numerous tournament players to reach the finals of the Grand Championships. In the finals, he had to face his sister who is ranked as the number one junior in Anguilla. Although Kyle fought hard, his sister Katie beat him 6-4, 6-1 to clench the championship trophy.

Special awards were presented to various players in each category. A most improved award as well as a coaches award were given to the following recipients:

Pee Wee Most Improved – Antoine Laurent and Pee Wee Coaches Award Kohn Richardson;
Intermediate Most Improved – Jerronie Fleming and Coaches Award – Khesim Reid;
Advanced Most Improved – Nina Andrews and Coaches Award Janielle Proctor; Tournament Group Most Improved – Katie Hawkins and Coaches Award Yasminn Ebner. Also, for the first year ever, the Mitchell Lake Award was started. This award went to the best overall student that excelled in ability, attitude, in the classroom, and in the community; the first ever recipient was Tamisha Richardson.

This was a monumental year for the members of the After School Programme as they have all improved immensely and have proven this by showing good results in tournaments internationally.

Earlier in the school year, a contingent of Anguillan tennis players travelled to St. Maarten to play in the Diamond Creations Tennis Tournament. The Anguillians dominated almost every category, which was the first time in history that Anguilla has shown good results against their friendly neighbours.

Also, in mid April, four of the ATA’s top female juniors as well as Mr. Allen went to Nashville, Tennessee to compete in the Music City Tennis Invitational. Three of the five participants brought back championship trophies to Anguilla.

The 2006-2007 school year has come to an end, but the children will continue to play in the ATA’s summer programme and are all keen on registering in September for the next instalment of the After School Programme.

The 2007-2008 programme will be held at the new tennis facility in Blowing Point which will provide more spots for eager athletes wanting to learn the game. Registration forms will be available mid August for anyone interested in signing up.

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