To: Daily Herald From: Brenda Carty Date: July 11, 2002
ANGUILLA-- This week the seventh Tennis Academy started with some 170 children learning and enjoying the game of tennis. It will be held for the first two weeks at the Webster Park and the third week will be at the Malliouhana and Carimar tennis facilities when visiting coaches from the USA, St Kitts, St Maarten and Puerto Rico will be assisting with the programme and giving extra opportunities to the young players. Each session will consist of clinics, drills, match play, fun games, mental and physical training with emphasis on sportsmanship.
Mitchelle Lake is the founder and organizer of the camp and this year will be assisted by Iston Benjamin, Ross Pleasan and Andy Matthew. Mitch says, "My coaches are dedicated to providing each individual with a learning environment that allows them to reach their maximum individual potential."
Major sponsors for the tennis academy this year are American Eagle/American Airlines that supplied promotional fares for the coaches, Triple K Car Rental that supply a jeep for the three weeks, All Island Cable Television for medals, trophies and awards, Carimar for accommodation for the coaches and the use of the courts, Malliouhana for use of the tennis courts and Caribbean Silk Screen for printing the T Shirts. In addition several restaurants are providing meals for the coaches and other businesses have contributed.
"I am grateful to all my sponsors for their continued support towards the programme and youth development in the sport of tennis. I trust that they will continue to support my efforts as I endeavor to promote the sport on the island." Lake has also raised in excess of US$6,000.00 in the United States from friends of the programme and he added his thanks to these donors.
On July 27 Lake will be conducting a one day tennis programme at Port de Plaisance for the children of St Maarten. The visiting coaches will also be there to assist with the coaching sessions. "I welcome the opportunity to share my resources with similar programmes throughout the region," said Lake." I believe it is essential for us to come together as a region and combine our resources to aid in the development of the youth."
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