This weekend, players from the Anguilla Tennis Academy participated in the Oyster Bay Tennis Tournament in Sint Maarten. The two-day event began the morning of Saturday, January 27, and ended late afternoon on Sunday, January 28. The annual event, sponsored by the Oyster Bay Hotel, was held at the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex. Les Brown was the tournament director and organizer.

The proud Anguilla Champions

Anguilla was represented by 18 of its top junior players who train at the Anguilla Tennis Academy in Blowing Point. These players managed to firmly handle the competition in Sint Maarten, winning six out of ten divisions and being runners up in the remaining categories (male & female). Anguilla’s Calyde Hughes, a top junior and assistant coach with the ATA, defeated Claudio Mercedes of Sint Maarten (6-1) in the Open Division to take home the trophy. Katie Hawkins, Anguilla’s top female junior, defeated Belkis Pisas of Sint Maarten (6-1) in the girls’ 15 & under division to be crowned champion. In the boys’ 13 & under division, Daniel Andrews defeated Keon Halley (6-2). Both students are top players in the thirteen and under division in Anguilla. Angelique Laurent defeated Nina Andrews (4-1), in the girls’ 13 & under division. Both Angelique and Nina are also ATA students and this was Angelique’s first tournament win. Mikiah Harrigan (Anguilla) defeated McKenzie McKnight of Sint Maarten (3-2) in the girls’ 10 & under division. In the girls’ beginner division, Mikiaya Harrigan (Anguilla) defeated Agostina Biggoti of Sint Maarten (3-2).

Runners up in the boys’ and girls’ 13 & under division were Keon Halley and Nina Andrews. Antoine Laurent and Jacob Parles both lost tough matches to Sint Maarten players, earning runners up positions in the boys’ beginner division and the boys’ 10 & under division respectively. Overall, the tournament was a great success for the hard working students of the Anguilla Tennis Academy as they once again made an excellent showing against their island neighbors. The Anguillian contingent was accompanied by Matt Cooper, Director of Operations for the ATA and Calyde Hughes tennis coach. Several parents also came along in the capacity of chaperones. Matt Cooper said, “The children competed well across the board and we were fortunate to have so many of our players come out on top. I feel honoured and privileged to be working with children who have such a drive to become better tennis players.”
The Oyster Bay Tennis Classic is the first of five tournaments that will be held in Sint Maarten over the course of the year and the children will continue to train in preparation for an active schedule in 2008. Jason Allen of the ATA said, “I am very proud of the children. They have been working extremely hard and it is finally paying dividends. I hope they will take their successes and become more motivated to improve.”

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