Tennis in Anguilla

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2002: Overseas Coaches Arrive for Tennis Academy

Source:  The Anguillian
Date:    Friday, July 19, 2002

Seven tennis coaches from overseas will be in Anguilla for the last week of the Tennis Academy that is being held at the Carimar and Malliouhana tennis courts. The will be coaching the 170 children who have participated in this year's camp, organized by Mitchelle Lake.

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Three of the coaches were here last year for the camp -- Chris Wade from Texas, Bill Riddle from Tennessee and Johnathan Collazzo from Puerto Rico, all of whom are dedicated to the development of tennis in Anguilla. This year they will be joined by Tim Treat from Colorado, Michelle Woodruff from Virginia, Jonah Francis from St. Kitts and Les Brown from St. Maarten. The coaches are being accomodated by Carimar Beach Club, Frangipani Resort and La Sirena Hotel.

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In addition, six children from the USA, two from St. Kitts and one from Puerto Rico will join the Anguillian participants. The under-ten year olds will participate from 8:30 to 9:30 am, followed by the older group until noon. In the afternoons there will be tournaments for three age groups. Each partipant will receive a certificate and medal and there are lots of prizes and trophies to be awarded to promising tennis players.

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Mitchelle Lake, founder Anguilla Tennis Academy

Mitchelle Lake has expressed thanks to the many sponsors in Anguilla who have supported the Tennis Academy by proving accomodation and meals for the coaches and especially to American Airlines/Amerian Eagle for discounted air fares. He also thanked the host families whoa re accomodating children from overseas and thus ensuring the cultural exchange programme is a success.

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He has been identifying children with potential for future development and says there is a lot of talent here. "I want to make sure that these kids are given the opportunity that they deserve to progress in this sport," he said. "There is an urgent need for more tennis facilities on the island if the programme is going to continue to operate at a successful level," Mitch stressed.

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