Junior Tennis players flying their colours

Local junior Tennis players have been given the opportunity to put their skills to the test, as the Grassroot Tennis Club stages the 2011 SVG General Services Limited Christmas Junior Tennis Tournament,{{more}} at the Haddon Tennis Courts on Murray’s Road.

The tournament, this second edition, officially opened yesterday, Monday, and is the lone outing for the players between the ages of six and twelve years old.

The guardians of the sport here, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tennis Association, is hosting a tournament simultaneously, but for players 14 years and older.

The GTC tournament has been sanctioned by the local parent body.

Participation in the five-day GTC tournament comes from the host club, X- Cel Tennis Academy, the Bonan Tennis School and the Onike Tennis Academy (OTA).

Head of the GTC Grant Connell has implored the 60 young prospects to make the best use of the opportunity presented to them and let discipline and fair play be their watchwords.

Competition is in the Under-6, Under-8, Under-10 and Under-12 categories for both males and females.

The Under-6 category, which is purely developmental, would see the pee-wees involved in drills of skills.

In last year’s inaugural tournament, Rio Connell won the Boys 6 and Under singles crown, with Demetra Fernandez, the winner of the Girls 6 and Under.

Antonio Cain won the Boys 8 and Under. He was also adjudged one of the four Most Promising Players.

Gabrielle Benn pouched the Girls 10 and Under, with the winner of the Boys 10 and Under, Sauvy Samuel.

Richard Hoyte secured the Boys 12 and Under and Amarlie Benn was the Girls 12 and Under winner.

The tournament comes to a close this Friday, with the Closing and Presentation Ceremony. (RT)