QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 ANTIGUA BARBUDA TENNIS ASSOCIATION! OCT-DEC 2012 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER Happening now... Phase 1 Tennis court foundation -Vikings Campsite Contents: Workshops...p2 Meet the players...p3 Flashbacks...p3 Player Rankings...p4 Local Tournaments..p5 12 & Under...p6 In the July September 2012 issue of the ABTA quarterly newsletter we spoke of a dream soon to be a reality. The ABTA is proud to say that with the help of the Antigua & Barbuda Public Works Dept that THINGS ARE HAPPENING. With the construction of our National Tennis Centre, the ABTA sees the potential of impacting the Antiguan community through its tourism product. Bidding to have an ITF tournament held on the Grounds of this facility as a major main stay for 2014 and beyond. Making the National Tennis Centre a place where our youth can develop their skills nationally and prepare for the (cont..p2) PRESIDENTS REMARKS Through various news interviews throughout 2012, the ABTA President Cordell Williams can be heard echoing the importance of marrying Sports and Education. Too often parents can be seen withdrawing their children from sports because of academic obligations mainly exams, whether it is common entrance or CXC. It is very important for parents to recognise where sports can take their children once they learn how to discipline themselves both on the courts or fields and the classroom. Over and over we hear stories of children (cont...p7)! PAGE 1

2 ANTIGUA BARBUDA TENNIS ASSOCIATION! International Level of play. This is only the beginning we are still seeking the support of coorperate Antigua to make this ABTA dream a reality. - The foundation is 90% complete. There is still the :-! Laying of the courts Fencing Lighting - Pro shop and offices. The course was funded by Olympic Solidarity in conjunction with the Antigua and Barbuda Olympic Committee and the Antigua and Barbuda Tennis Association. OCT-DEC 2012 The priority was to further develop National Coordinators for the Junior Tennis Initiative in their respective countries, since they are in the best position to lead the initiatives. This course brought together 16 coaches from 8 Caribbean countries ( Aruba, Bonaire, Dominica, Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and host country Antigua & Barbuda) for 7 days of intense Training. Coaches at ITF Themes Course WORSHOPS Developing our national coaches with the aim of improving our youth is one of the main focus of the ABTA. The ABTA continues to develop its training program with the help of the ITF, hence the hosting of its first of two short theme courses in our region. This course was held in October 2012 with the main focus being Long Term Player Development and Working with Top Players.! The aim of the course was to provide coaches with the latest information on specific Sports Science and Coaching topics. Karl Davies the ITF training coach did an excellent job as the coaches expressed their interest in similar courses being held within our region in the near future. Coaches in an on-court session with Karl Davies PAGE 2

3 ANTIGUA BARBUDA TENNIS ASSOCIATION! MEET THE PLAYERS In this (inal issue of our 2012 quarterly the ABTA invites our membership to meet Ashley Bersma and Cordell Williams jr., these two players have shown the kind of improvement to consistently transition into their varying levels of play. Cordell Williams jr., is a junior tennis player currently on the ITF Circuit. Cordell s performance in 2011 and subsequently in 2012 has made him recognised in the region and at home. Age: 12 years old National Ranking : # 1 ( 14 & under) Achievements: Selected in 2011 & 2012 to 13 & Under Caribbean development championship s national team (placing 10th and 5th respectively). Represented Antigua as part of a two member team to 12 & Under Wilson Cup. Winner of boys consolations competition at Barbados ITF International and the Coco Cola ITF Top: Corde# Wi#iams jr. Bottom: Ashley Bersma OCT-DEC 2012 Williams is a 2nd Form student of the St. Anthony s Secondary and trains at the Halcyon Tennis. Ashley Bersma, one of Antigua s rising 10 & Under Junior players has certainly made her presence felt through her performance throughout Age: 10 years old Achievements: Halcyon Tennis/ Heritage Sports Pre-Easter tennis 10s red ball winner. ABTA Tennis 10s orange ball winner. Halcyon Tennis 12 & under girls winner. Heritage Sports Green dot ball winner and Heritage Sports Independence 12 & under girls finalist. Bersma is a 5th Grade student of the St. Nicholas Primary and currently trains at the Halcyon Tennis. FLASHBACK - PERSONAL BESTS The sport of tennis like other sports sees our athletes at all stages of their development. We are proud to highlight the achievements of some of our athletes. The ABTA stands proud as two more of its players has gained entry into American Universities in 2012, as a result of the sport they both enjoy playing...tennis. Jody Maginley and Kyle Joseph have gain entry to NCAA Division 1 Universities for 2013 Spring Semester. Maginley, currently ranked 864 in the world Jr. Rankings has now joined the world of collegiate tennis at Northern Kentucky University. While Joseph, currently ranked 1133 in the world Jr. Rankings has now joined the world of collegiate tennis at ASA College in New York City. The success these two athletes have earned, allowing them to be granted scholarship admission to Nothern Kentucky and ASA College respectively was not only achieved because of their athletism but as a collaboration of both sports and education. Success can only be gained through hard work and the desire to succeed.! Jody Maginley PAGE 3

4 ANTIGUA BARBUDA TENNIS ASSOCIATION! OCT-DEC 2012 FLASHBACKS..CON T We also congratulate the parents of these athletes Giselle Maginley & John Maginley ( Jody Maginley) and Lorri-anne Evanson-Joseph & Kevin Joseph (Kyle Joseph) whom without their support none of this would be possible. Kyle Joseph PLAYER INTERNATIONAL RANKINGS ITF / COTECC / COSAT RANKING UPDATE AS AT AUGUST 31, 2012 PLAYER NAME ITF Ranking August 2012 ITF Ranking Dec 2012 COTECC Ranking COTECC Ranking COSAT Ranking Under 18 Under 18 August 2012 Dec 2012 Dec 2012 Jody Maginly Kyle Joseph Shakir levin 1427 D Jeri Raymond Jessica Isaac 24 Jevannie Ambrose Cordell Williams Jr Justice Christopher ITF ( International Tennis federation) world ranking COTECC( Confederation of Tennis in Central America & the Caribbean) COSAT( Confederation of Tennis in South America) Ranking points are a reflection of tournaments played and achievements in any given tournament.! PAGE 4

5 ANTIGUA BARBUDA TENNIS ASSOCIATION! Green Dot Ball Competition FLASHBACK LOCAL The ABTA has a lot to be thankful for, as more success was achieved in that of D Jeri Raymond who was named Female Student Athlete of 2011/2012. Tennis 10 s Red Ball Competition Raymonds success came on the back drop of her achievements in June June 2012 both academically and athletically. Boys Winner: Justin Marcano Boys Red Ball Winner: Donte Benjamin TOURNAMENT BEAT Four tournaments were held locally during the last quarter of 2012, see some of our highlights: Heritage Sports Tennis 10 s Tournament OCT-DEC 2012 Success came for Donte Benjamin (Halcyon Tennis Club/ St. Johns Lutheran) a new comer to the sport with his defeat over Fin Burridge (Tennis w-samantha/ Island Academy) score Red Ball Winner: Selene Kentish The tennis 10 s Green Dot ball competition was a first for the ABTA since the ITF 2012 Rule change. Though the numbers for this performance level competition was low the quality of the matches played was of a high standard. The boys champion Justin Marcano (Jo#y Harbour Tennis Academy/ St. Andrews ) was successful in his championship bid over Aiden Fuller (Halcyon Tennis Club/St. Nicholas Primary) defeating him 4-2. The girls competition followed a playoff format due to the limited numbers. Ashley Bersma (Halcyon Tennis Club/St. Nicholas Primary) was declared the girls champion after defeating Selene Kentish (Halcyon Tennis Club/St. Andrews Primary). Tennis 10 s The Heritages Sports tennis 10s brought together juniors with two (2) levels of development. Red ball and Performance 10s (Green Dot ball). Over fifty juniors with their parents brought to life the courts and the bleachers of Halcyon by Rex Resorts 27th October, In the girls red ball competition Selene Kentish (Halcyon Tennis Club/ St. Andrews Primary) made an easy competition of apponent Jewel Ambrose ( St. John s Lutheran STI Program) defeating her Girls Winner: Ashley Bersma! PAGE 5

6 ANTIGUA BARBUDA TENNIS ASSOCIATION! 12 AND UNDER TOURNAMENT The desire for competition could be felt by all the juniors with the completion of the recent tennis 10s tournament, with that came the birth of the Heritage Sports Independence 12 & Under Jr. Tournament, 3rd November, Five girls battled in the round robin playoffs... Shereese Henry(HTC / St. John s Catholic Primary) and Ashley Bersma (HTC/ St. Nicholas Primary & winner of the U10 green dot competition) were named the finalists. In a match of wits Shereese Henry defeated Ashley Bersma. OCT-DEC 2012 Anthony s Tennis program but to the Halcyon Tennis Club as the girls winner Lily Thomas(SASS) defeated Devon Wuilliez 4-0 to earn her first girls singles win. L-r Li#y Thomas and Keon Armstrong With the desire to play came the desire to see who would be crowned the girls and boys 12 & Under champion. The over twenty competitors fought hard to see who would make it to the tournaments main draw knowing there could only be two winners. As luck would have it Keon Armstrong would take his second singles title in 2 weeks defeating Aaron Fields 4-0. FLASHBACKINTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT BEAT Boys Winner: Keon Armstrong The September December 2012 proved to be a low international While in the boys competition tournament period for our juniors. Keon Armstrong had to battle his However, we anticipate that there way through a field of 17 boys and will be some tournament play finally defeating Justin Marcano to during the Easter of take the boys singles title. CROWS NEST 12 & UNDER JR. TOURNAMENT Girls Winner: Shereese Henry! In the final tournament of our local tennis season the junior tennis players of Antigua took to the tennis courts of St. Anthony s Secondary as they hosted their first tennis tournament under the direction of Samantha Johnson, 8th December, The tournament sponsored by the Crows Nest brought success not only to the St. PAGE 6

7 ANTIGUA BARBUDA TENNIS ASSOCIATION! OCT-DEC 2012 receiving scholarships whether its academically, music, sports; these scholarships are based on the well rounded child. We therefore encourage our tennis moms and dads to start preparing now and know that if your aim is to use the sport of tennis as a vehicle to education the balancing act starts now. Time management is the key and teaching them independence, because as they develop in the sport and they are encouraged to travel to international tournaments they will know how to adjust to situations which may arise. Tennis is a sport of individuality and knowing how to handle personal situations will aid our little athletes to deal with game situations on the court. CAN WE DO IT AGAIN Our message Can we do it is slowly changing to, yes we are doing it. Things are happening; The CIBC First Caribbean International Bank Community Tennis program has been approved and is coming on stream in the first quarter of This project the brain child of our President Cordell Williams was conceptualised, his approach to CIBC First Caribbean bore fruit as they saw this as an opportunity to be a part of building our national youth who may not have the resources to start playing the sport of tennis. A partnership such as this is what is needed to help in developing the nation s youth. As it stands the ABTA received the support of a few corporate sponsors in 2012 but very few title sponsors; Heritage Sports, Caribbean Union Bank and the National Olympic Committee. As 2012 drew to a close we aim at giving our juniors more opportunities to showcase their Talents locally, the ABTA junior tournament calendar was then created; at the time of this Newsletter 4 local tournaments were completed. More local talent can be created, but our home must be completed. The foundation phase is almost completed thanks to the Ministry of Public Works. The support of Corporate Antigua is needed to complete the fencing, the lighting, court resurfacing and finally the Club house (which wi# house the office, proshop, changing rooms and bathrooms). CAN YOU SEE THE BENEFITS!! The Ministry of Public Works saw the benefits, and they continue to work hard at completing the foundation. Its 2013 and yes it is happening. Our business plan is complete and is been circulated, seeking support to see the once vibrant Vikings facility active again welcoming athletes from around the world and from across our twin island state. Think of what this can do for our fragile economy, sports the one area of any nations economy that continues to grow. See the benefits.. A sports tourism gateway- hotels etc), CAN YOU SEE THE BENEFITS????? THE ABTA continues to Seek your help.the ABTA needs you TO SEE THE VISION WORK HARD Dream BIG Be COMMITTED Be MORE THAN ORDINARY BELIEVE ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.! PAGE 7

8 ANTIGUA BARBUDA TENNIS ASSOCIATION! OCT-DEC 2012 SPONSORS CORNER A special thanks goes out to our sponsors. January12, 2013 Calendar Rupert K Henry Tennis 10 s.-halcyon Tennis Club January 26th, & Under Jr. Tournament -Halcyon Tennis Club. February 9th, 2013 Jr. Doubles Tournament -Halcyon Tennis Courts February 16th, 2013 Old Road Tennis Fund Tennis 10 s - Curtain Bluff Courts February 23rd, 2013 Girls 16 & Under Open - Halcyon Tennis Courts National Olympic Committee Contributors DIANNE HILLHOUSE Dianne is the Public Relations Officer for the ABTA. CORDELL WILLIAMS Cordell is the President of the ABTA and is the Head Coach for HTC.! PAGE 8