To: Daily Herald From: Brenda Carty Date: July 28, 2002ANGUILLA-The Acting Governor Roger Cousins (pictured above, right) and Mrs Cousins hosted a cocktail party at Government House to mark the end of the Tennis Academy that took place over the past three weeks.
Some 170 children have benefitted from the coaching at the Tennis Academy started seven years ago by Mitchelle Lake from Anguilla. There were seven overseas coaches in the programme this year that have been in Anguilla for the past week. Chris Wade from Texas, Jonathan Collazo from Puerto Rico and Bill Riddle from Tennessee were all in Anguilla for the programme last year as well. In addition this year were Tim Treat from Colorado, Michelle Woodruff from Virginia and Jonah Francis from St Kitts. There were also ten tennis players from the USA, St Kitts and Puerto Rico attending during the past week.
At the cocktail reception were the many sponsors who have assisted with the camp by hosting some of the visiting tennis players, supplying accommodation or meals for the coaches, and many other services. The coaches expressed their pleasure at taking part in the camp and congratulated Mitch on the programme. Bill Riddle said, "It was an incredible opportunity and privilege to be here. I saw a desire in the children to learn the game and to be around the other children. I hope to see this academy grow and to be back next year."
Mitch Lake asked the parents and supporters to help him to get more tennis facilities on the island as he sees this is the way for the academy to grow. He thanked everyone for their hard work and support and presented medals to four persons. The first medal was to Millie Hodge, of American Eagle who has supported the camp since the beginning, another went to Fred Thompson Manager of Carimar Resort where the coaches have been accommodated for some years. The other two medals were given to Roger and Margaret Cousins for their support over the years and for hosting the reception.
