The BLTA’s Play Tennis Bahamas Program is partnering with the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) and Urban Renewal in a tennis community initiative in the Fox Hill community. The objective is to provide positive alternatives for our young children to develop and grow. Many of the children would not normally have the opportunity to play tennis, so tennis has now come to the community. The BLTA has partnered with Urban Renewal in prior years, welcoming children to the National Tennis Centre from the following communities: Centreville, Bain’s Town, Farm Road, Marathon, Englerston, Nassau Village, Pinewood and Jubilee Gardens.
The focus of the Play Tennis Bahamas program is to have the kids playing from Day 1 in a fun environment. The work in this program was recognised in 2023 by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) with the award of tennis excellence, with the program receiving noteworthy mention. So it was fitting to have our ITF Development Officer for the Caribbean, Mr John Goede, accompany the BLTA to the Fox Hill Community for a tennis session and to meet the RBPF Urban Renewal program coordinators.
BLTA President Perry Newton noted, “It is a pleasure to collaborate with the Royal Bahamas Police Force to positively impact our communities. We can definitely reach our young children through tennis. It can provide a channel for their energies, it can inspire them to excel, and it provides many opportunities for advancement and growth. It is also a fun sport, developing discipline, teamwork skills and physical fitness all at the same time.”
We congratulate the RBPF and Urban Renewal on this community outreach collaboration with the BLTA. We extend special thanks to Urban Renewal ASP Adderley, Inspector Burrows and team and to Coach Elanqua Griffin. We also thank the ITF for their support with tennis racquets and equipment, and we are very appreciative of the guidance from our Development Officer, Mr Goede.
The development work continues, offering tennis to the children in the various communities throughout The Bahamas is pivotal. It is wonderful to see the excellent work from Urban Renewal, the Police and the BLTA in development, reaching the young children through tennis. If you wish to assist with coaching or equipment(red dot balls, junior rackets, mini nets), please let us know, as the demand for tennis is increasing at all levels.
Original Post Date: May 28, 2024
