A large number of children and parents were present at a ceremony, on Friday July 23, marking the fifteenth anniversary of the Anguilla Tennis Academy (ATA). Much praise was given to Mitchelle Lake, Founder and President of the ATA.

Mr. Mitch Lake

The Hon Minister of Infrastructure, Evan Gumbs, described the event as a significant milestone saying that he was proud of Mitch and his team for establishing the tennis centre in Anguilla. He commented that children needed sports as it was a great discipline as well as a vehicle that could empower them and lead to a college scholarship as already shown by several young Anguillians. He pledged that the Government would continue to support the ATA and expressed the hope that businesses on the island would also continue their support.

Mitchel Lake recalled the beginnings of the Summer Camp (at Webster Park) when there were only about 35 children involved on two courts, compared to the 125 children this year on the six courts of the Academy. “The primary goal of the ATA,” Mitch noted, ‘is to expose children to the joys, discipline and rigor of the life-long sport of tennis where they can acquire technical skills, experience ideal sportsmanship and develop a strong sense of community. The ATA is committed to developing healthy minds and providing educational opportunities for children through the sport of tennis. The Academy was founded on the principle of using tennis as a vehicle to reach and empower children and to equip them with the skills and knowledge to become responsible citizens of their community.”

He said that the new goal was to increase the benefits and services for a family-safe and fun-filled atmosphere. “We are on the move and I want everyone to get on board and make this facility a success,” he stressed. He spoke of the after school programme and urged parents to sign up their children for the new term in September. He thanked, for their outstanding work, the Board of Directors and all the staff at the ATA with particular mention of Rodney Ross, Programme Director for the Summer Camp.

Members of the head table

During the past five days, Anthony Jeremiah of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) was in Anguilla assessing the ATA and meeting with Government and tourism officials. Mitch said that one of the primary goals of the ATA was to become a member of the ITF and with the visit of Jeremiah that goal was closer. Jeremiah who travels around the Caribbean to identify talent for the ITF, described the ATA facility as the best in the Caribbean and Central America. He said he hoped that when Anguilla becomes a member of the ITF that ITF events could be held here. The island would also benefit through the ITF junior programmes, training camps and travel grants.

Medals were presented to the participants of this year’s Summer Camp by Rodney Ross and Office Manager Shauna Richardson. Awards were also presented, by Keesha Fleming-Lake, to the many sponsors who have supported the Summer Camp during the past fifteen years.

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