ANGUILLA
Anguilla's third tennis academy ended on Friday, July 31, with the presentation of tropies, plaques and certificates. More than 250 children have benefited from the academy, which started on July 6, and has been run by three Anguillian students.
Mitchelle Lake, Shawn Romney and Damien Hughes are the three young men who have coached the groups for the four weeks, with the assistance for one week of four tennis players from Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina.
Damien chaired the closing ceremony and announced the winners and recipients of awards. The champion in the boy's section is 14-year-old Alexander Wallace, who beat 17-year-old, Iston Benjamin, 6-2, 6-3 in an exciting match, which showed the potential of the two boys on the courts. This is the second year that the talented Alexander has been the champion.
Kerry Horsford
In the girl's matches, Kerry Horsford emerged winner by beating Shauna Richardson, 6-1, 6-0. The winners received a trophy and their names are to be inscribed on a plaque that will be circulated among the sponsors on the island. All the participants were presented with a certificate.
Millicent Hodge
In addition, plaques were presented to two of the local sponsors who have been particulary helpful and supportive throughout the academy. These were given to Millicent Hodge, Manager of American Eagle, and to Lee and Suzanne Bertman, owners of All-Island Cable Television.
Suzanne Bertman
A special plaque was presented to Sandra and Eudoxie Wallace for their tremendous support as parents and in hosting lunches for the visiting coaches.
Sandra and Eudoxie Wallace
The Chief Minister, Hubert Hughes, in a letter published in the commemorative booklet said that we was most grateful for the valuable contribution the Anguilla Tennis Academy is making to the development of youth on the island.
"Special thanks to the three Anguillian young men, Mitchelle Lake, Damien Hughes, and Shawn Romney, for organizing the training sessions and for coaching the young people," he said.
President of the Anguilla Tennis Association, Valentine Banks, said the association is extremely happy with the efforts of the coaches and the camp.
"Anguilla can only benefit from the skills, discipline and respect for rules inculcated in our youth through the game of tennis being taught by these three young men," he said. "We look forward to further expansion of the camp, tennis and tennis facilities on the island through continued partnership with the Government, businesses and great people like Mitch, Damien and Shawn."
At the closing ceremony, Mitch thanked the many sponsors that have helped to make the Academy a success. He added, "as we look forward to higher and brighter things next year, I hope and trust that you will continue to support us in our efforts to promote tennis on the island. Let us remember that if we invest in our youth today, we can look forward to great rewards in the future."
BET (Black Entertainment Television) has been the chief sponsor of the camp for the past two years, with additional support from many local businesses. This year Wilson Sporting Goods also contributed generously.