Record Numbers of Junior Tennis Players Compete at Baha Mar
Juniors before a talk at the start of the event
Winners with Winterbotham Chairman Geoffrey Hooper and Referee Mickey Williams
After successful events at the National Tennis Centre and Albany Tennis Academy the third event in The Winterbotham IC Junior Series moved to the Racquet Centre at Baha Mar last weekend and broke records for young under 10’s and 12’s participating.
There were 46 juniors in this round robin series at Baha Mar for the youngest of competitors. Most juniors had five matches over the weekend to give them maximum experience and enjoyment. This time there were even three overseas players in the Boy’s 12 & under from USA and Ecuador adding extra interest. Several late entries that came in after the close and the draw had been done could not be accepted, or it would have been over 50 juniors - quite a challenge for the organisers with over 100 matches to be played! Fortunately, the weather held … although windy!
One great feature was that Karl Vukobrat, the Tennis Director at Baha Mar, converted their grass court into 6 Mini Tennis courts with soft sponge balls. The mini courts were used for fun play outside of the actual tournament. It was a great success with all the juniors and even some of their younger brothers and sisters who were not in the tournament. It was a superb mixer for everyone in a fun environment.
Meanwhile, it was tournament action Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday on six hard courts. After the round robins, there were playoffs between opposite numbers all the way down each group. The resulting winners in addition to their Winterbotham IC Trophies and a good tennis experience got a “Free Entry” to the major “Little Mo” tournament in Florida ( worth $200).
The winners were: Michael Major in the Boys 12’s, who after some good matches held off the competition from the three overseas players with Tito Chavez from Ecuador the runner-up. In the Girls 12’s, Sierra Rogers won over her good friend Saphirre Ferguson. In the Boys 10’s, it was a final of two Patricks with the young Patrick Mactaggart coming through over the older Patrick Mackey. In the Girls 10’s, Breann Ferguson won with Millie Beukes the runner-up. The “Charlie Farrington” Sportsmanship award went to Saphirre Ferguson.
The IC (International Tennis Club) is an organisation of top tennis players with clubs in 40 countries and with the motto of “Hands across the net, friendship across the ocean”. It maintains tennis friendships and competition across all ages up to even 75-year-olds. It also aims to give back to tennis - the “game for life”. The IC is delighted with the success and participation in this series and extends a big thank you to both The Racquet Centre at Baha Mar and Winterbotham Trust Company for their support. The conduct of the juniors was excellent and supportive of each other.
It is an excellent sign for the future of Bahamian tennis. It is entirely possible that all those competing could get tennis scholarships to University if they keep working at their games and their academics. Either way, they are making friendships and enjoying a game they can play all their life.
The main organisers at this series are IC Members Neil Mactaggart, Mickey Williams, Bradley Bain and Kit Spencer. For more information on the worldwide IC organisation, go to www.ictennis.net.
For information on the International Tennis Clubs (IC’s) go to - www.ictennis.net
There were 46 juniors in this round robin series at Baha Mar for the youngest of competitors. Most juniors had five matches over the weekend to give them maximum experience and enjoyment. This time there were even three overseas players in the Boy’s 12 & under from USA and Ecuador adding extra interest. Several late entries that came in after the close and the draw had been done could not be accepted, or it would have been over 50 juniors - quite a challenge for the organisers with over 100 matches to be played! Fortunately, the weather held … although windy!
One great feature was that Karl Vukobrat, the Tennis Director at Baha Mar, converted their grass court into 6 Mini Tennis courts with soft sponge balls. The mini courts were used for fun play outside of the actual tournament. It was a great success with all the juniors and even some of their younger brothers and sisters who were not in the tournament. It was a superb mixer for everyone in a fun environment.
Meanwhile, it was tournament action Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday on six hard courts. After the round robins, there were playoffs between opposite numbers all the way down each group. The resulting winners in addition to their Winterbotham IC Trophies and a good tennis experience got a “Free Entry” to the major “Little Mo” tournament in Florida ( worth $200).
The winners were: Michael Major in the Boys 12’s, who after some good matches held off the competition from the three overseas players with Tito Chavez from Ecuador the runner-up. In the Girls 12’s, Sierra Rogers won over her good friend Saphirre Ferguson. In the Boys 10’s, it was a final of two Patricks with the young Patrick Mactaggart coming through over the older Patrick Mackey. In the Girls 10’s, Breann Ferguson won with Millie Beukes the runner-up. The “Charlie Farrington” Sportsmanship award went to Saphirre Ferguson.
The IC (International Tennis Club) is an organisation of top tennis players with clubs in 40 countries and with the motto of “Hands across the net, friendship across the ocean”. It maintains tennis friendships and competition across all ages up to even 75-year-olds. It also aims to give back to tennis - the “game for life”. The IC is delighted with the success and participation in this series and extends a big thank you to both The Racquet Centre at Baha Mar and Winterbotham Trust Company for their support. The conduct of the juniors was excellent and supportive of each other.
It is an excellent sign for the future of Bahamian tennis. It is entirely possible that all those competing could get tennis scholarships to University if they keep working at their games and their academics. Either way, they are making friendships and enjoying a game they can play all their life.
The main organisers at this series are IC Members Neil Mactaggart, Mickey Williams, Bradley Bain and Kit Spencer. For more information on the worldwide IC organisation, go to www.ictennis.net.
For information on the International Tennis Clubs (IC’s) go to - www.ictennis.net
Fun on the grass court with“Mini Tennis”
Winterbotham IC Junior Tennis Series off to Great Start- February 2018
The Junior Group
Winners : Michael Major, Jerrold Carroll and finalist Breann Ferguson
It was a very busy weekend of tennis for the most promising young tennis players in The Bahamas at The National Tennis Centre with every contestant playing five or more matches.
This first in a series of five 2018 events in The Winterbotham IC Junior Series for 12 & under and 10 & under had some exciting matches. All contestants played four matches in round robin groups on the first day with “Play Offs” on the second day. In the older category Michael Major came through as the winner with a final win over Jackson Mactaggart. In the younger age group it was Jerrold Carroll from Freeport with a final win over Breann Ferguson.
However the emphasis on the series is maximum tournament experience for all this group of emerging players with everyone playing five or more matches. This is designed to help development of all this group and promote a new generation of tennis players in The Bahamas without the expense of going overseas.
The series moves on to The Lleyton Hewitt Albany Tennis Academy for the second event 14th/15th April then on to Baha Mar for the third event 19th/20th May. This will be followed in October and November with events in Freeport and at The Gym Club.
The event which has BLTA approval has been developed and is being run by The International Tennis Club of The Bahamas (IC) and sponsored by Winterbotham Trust Company. There are 40 IC’s around the world made up primarily of some of the best players in those countries who as well as organising senior events give back to tennis “the game for life” through activities such as this. Their motto is “hands across the net, friendship across the ocean” and by talking with all the juniors at these events they are also developing good attitudes as well as good tennis.
All the juniors, their coaches and parents were very enthusiastic about the event and its format with many signing up already for the next event in the series.
For more information contact IC organisers:
Kit Spencer (363-2930)
Neil Mactaggart (359-0900)
Bradley Bain (357-5580)
For information on the International Tennis Clubs (IC’s) go to - www.ictennis.net
This first in a series of five 2018 events in The Winterbotham IC Junior Series for 12 & under and 10 & under had some exciting matches. All contestants played four matches in round robin groups on the first day with “Play Offs” on the second day. In the older category Michael Major came through as the winner with a final win over Jackson Mactaggart. In the younger age group it was Jerrold Carroll from Freeport with a final win over Breann Ferguson.
However the emphasis on the series is maximum tournament experience for all this group of emerging players with everyone playing five or more matches. This is designed to help development of all this group and promote a new generation of tennis players in The Bahamas without the expense of going overseas.
The series moves on to The Lleyton Hewitt Albany Tennis Academy for the second event 14th/15th April then on to Baha Mar for the third event 19th/20th May. This will be followed in October and November with events in Freeport and at The Gym Club.
The event which has BLTA approval has been developed and is being run by The International Tennis Club of The Bahamas (IC) and sponsored by Winterbotham Trust Company. There are 40 IC’s around the world made up primarily of some of the best players in those countries who as well as organising senior events give back to tennis “the game for life” through activities such as this. Their motto is “hands across the net, friendship across the ocean” and by talking with all the juniors at these events they are also developing good attitudes as well as good tennis.
All the juniors, their coaches and parents were very enthusiastic about the event and its format with many signing up already for the next event in the series.
For more information contact IC organisers:
Kit Spencer (363-2930)
Neil Mactaggart (359-0900)
Bradley Bain (357-5580)
For information on the International Tennis Clubs (IC’s) go to - www.ictennis.net
Referee Bradley Bain talks to the juniors
Winterbotham IC Junior Series Announcement - February 2018
To help develop tennis in the important younger age groups of 12 & under and 10 & under, the International Tennis Club (IC) of The Bahamas is organising a series of five tournaments at several top Bahamian tennis venues during 2018. The series is being sponsored by The Winterbotham Trust Company Limited.
Events will be full all day Saturday and Sunday weekend tournaments in round robin formats with at least three matches planned per participant per day. There will be both regular Yellow Ball and Green Ball events for boys and girls.
The IC motto is ‘Hands across the net, friendship across the ocean’. A light lunch is included for participants and this, together with the round robin format, is intended to foster a competitive group of young players with potential who can develop as a group of like-minded friends through future years.
The IC plans to make awards to the top players at the completion of the series to further develop their tennis.
The planned venues for the Winterbotham IC Junior Series are:
The entry fee is $25 for each event and juniors must take up BLTA membership ($10).
Entry forms will be available at the National Tennis Centre and other tennis venues in The Bahamas. The series is open to overseas players and their participation will be encouraged.
The main IC organising committee is Neil Mactaggart (359-0900), Kit Spencer (363-2930) and Mickey Williams (557-8307).
For information on the International Tennis Clubs (IC’s) go to - www.ictennis.net
For information on Winterbotham Trust Company go to - www.winterbotham.com
Events will be full all day Saturday and Sunday weekend tournaments in round robin formats with at least three matches planned per participant per day. There will be both regular Yellow Ball and Green Ball events for boys and girls.
The IC motto is ‘Hands across the net, friendship across the ocean’. A light lunch is included for participants and this, together with the round robin format, is intended to foster a competitive group of young players with potential who can develop as a group of like-minded friends through future years.
The IC plans to make awards to the top players at the completion of the series to further develop their tennis.
The planned venues for the Winterbotham IC Junior Series are:
- NATIONAL TENNIS CENTRE 17/18 February 2018
- LLEYTON HEWITT ALBANY TENNIS ACADEMY 14/15 April 2018
- BAHA MAR TENNIS CENTER 19/20 May 2018
- FREEPORT, BAHAMAS 13/14 October 2018
- GYM TENNIS CLUB 10/11 November 2018
The entry fee is $25 for each event and juniors must take up BLTA membership ($10).
Entry forms will be available at the National Tennis Centre and other tennis venues in The Bahamas. The series is open to overseas players and their participation will be encouraged.
The main IC organising committee is Neil Mactaggart (359-0900), Kit Spencer (363-2930) and Mickey Williams (557-8307).
For information on the International Tennis Clubs (IC’s) go to - www.ictennis.net
For information on Winterbotham Trust Company go to - www.winterbotham.com