The inaugural Blanchard’s Tennis extravaganza has been hailed a huge success by the organizers; the one-day event came to a successful end at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) and was in collaboration with the Saint Lucia Tennis Association (SLTA).
A combined 41 boys and girls from five Tennis Academies took part using the Play and Stay balls Red, Orange and Green dot ball and Regular Balls making it a huge success for kids ranging from 6 to 13 years old.
Former national tennis player Ron Blanchard now coach of Blanchard’s Tennis said, “The event was used to give the aspiring tennis players a feeling of match play and also to see the strengths and weaknesses of the players engaged in the different academies and the future stars of the sport”.
“The Green Ball category is really where we spot the future players as they are playing the full length of the court with a slightly slower ball and there we can see the speed, agility and mental capabilities of the kids in this division before they transfer to the regular tennis ball,” he noted.
In the Red and Orange Ball categories, all the participants were recognized with certificates of participation and small tokens.
For their outstanding performance on the court, the players were recognized with an assortment of tokens, vouchers and trophies to the winners and runners up and fitbit watches to the most outstanding boy, Nathaniel Charles and girl, Jaelyn Henry.
Ron said, “We were highly excited at the outcome of this event as we were able to spot possible prospects for the near future in the likes of Matthew George, Sorejn Clairmont and Jaelyn Henry from Blanchard’s Tennis”.
“Hot on their heels were Nathaniel Charles, Sanjay Lake, Jordyn Bishamber, Amia and Amara Jn Marie from Acers Tennis Academy; Andrettie George from Vernon Lewis’ Academy”.
Also catching the eyes of the coaches were Jivan Joseph from Ricardo Francois’ Academy and K-Zahn Elwin from Dean White’s Total Tennis Academy.
Ron took the time out to thank all the competitors, officials and sponsors for making this event possible amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and adhering to the various protocols implemented and look forward to another event before the year is through.
Blanchard’s Tennis also thank RMN, the Cell and Hamlet Phillip for their support towards the one day extravaganza showcasing the up and coming tennis players of tomorrow.
