The 2006 Anguilla Tennis Academy Summer Tennis Camp ended on July 28 with a total of 140 participants with 14 national and international coaches. The final week of the camp was held at the tennis courts at Malliouhana Hotel, Temenos Villas, and Carimar Beach Club.

L-R: Sutcliffe Hodge, Governor George and Jason Allen

This 11th annual tennis camp was by far the best as there was a better coach to student ratio and the facilities improved dramatically with one of the courts in the James Ronald Webster Park resurfaced as well. The two weeks prior to the grand finale weekend were exciting for the children with much tennis instruction as well as football and conditioning drills. Yet, nothing could compare to the high quality of instruction that was displayed by the visiting coaches during this final week.

Moreover, HE The Governor Mr. Andrew George, in the first three weeks of his official capacity as the new Governor of Anguilla, was able to make a visit to the children and coaches on the last day of the camp, July 28. During his visit, he was taken on a tour of the three sites used during the final week. On this tour, he was briefed on the Academy’s programs, mission and philosophy by the ATA director Jason Allen. It was explained to Mr. George that the Academy boasts of 11 years of service to the Anguillan community by way of introducing tennis to children.

Among the many programs the ATA has during the year, he was able to witness the children of Anguilla in great multitudes during the summer tennis camp which is the highlight of the year for the ATA. During his visit, he met many coaches from Anguilla as well as the international community. Consequently, that same evening, the Governor graciously held the end of the year ceremony at Government House in which prominent members of the Anguillian community, sponsors, ministers of government, and other dignitaries were invited.

Tennis players and ATA officials with millie Hodge of American Eagle

At the end of the year ceremony, there were various presentations made by the international coaches, Millie Hodge (Vice-President of the ATA), Jason Allen (ATA Director), Mitchelle Lake (ATA President), the Governor, and Greg Travis of Travis Television. Mr. Travis presented an 8-minute television production about the ATA and what it is trying to accomplish. The members of the crowd were quite impressed with the presentations made by the various people as well as the documentary shown. It was also made apparent, by all parties involved, the large amount of sponsorship that was given for the summer program. Although there were many sponsors, American Eagle was highlighted for its undying devotion and support for the past 11 years in the form of providing assistance with plane tickets for the international coaches as well as other dignitaries.

Various hotels were mentioned as well for their support in housing the coaches Cuisinart Resort and Spa, the Anguilla Great House, Carimar Beach Club and Island Queen Villa. Cable and Wireless also assisted by making a monetary donation as well as providing 5 telephones so that the coaches and camp organizers could communicate more efficiently. Special mention was also made of Highway Rent a Car and Triple K Car Rental for their support in providing vehicles for the coaches. Special recognition was given to Caribbean Commercial Bank and National Bank of Anguilla, on the sleeves of the camp T-shirts, for their continued support of the program and the financial backing they gave towards the ATA facility.

The ATA is indeed excited about the prospect of a new fiscal year as the programs will continue to improve and more children will be able to benefit. The After School Program will commence during the first week of school and space will be limited to 70 participants ages 4-17. Moreover, construction is full steam ahead at the moment on the new facility in Blowing Point. This state of the art facility’s projected completion date is spring of 2007. Once there is a proper facility in which Anguillians can learn and grow, there will be no limit to the amount of learning the kids can achieve in all facets of life.

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