On Thursday, March 22, a press conference was held at the Anguilla Tennis Academy’s new facility in Blowing Point to announce the recipients of three scholarships for the acclaimed ATA After School Programme. Some time ago, it was announced in The Anguillian and The Daily Herald that Paul Lowerre, Senior Vice-President for UBS Financial Services, graciously donated USD $30,000 to start a Youth Endowment Scholarship Fund for children who want to play tennis. It is the interest from that endowment that has already given the opportunity to begin a selection process for three young children.

The three children with Tennis personnel

The criteria was that all applicants had to be keen on learning tennis, have a positive attitude, have good grades, exhibit exemplary behaviour, be in financial need, and show community involvement. One of the scholarships was awarded to Tamisha Richardson (12), of George Hill, a young lady who attends the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School. Tamisha has been participating in the ATA’s programmes for four years and has shown much promise and improvement. In her application letter she wrote, “I like tennis because it is very exciting and an appealing sport. I am an energetic and active person so tennis helps keep me disciplined and focused. I love and respect my coaches and team mates when playing and practising and meeting other tennis players from different islands.”

Avern Gumbs (10), another recipient, attends the Valley Primary School and has been involved in the ATA’s programmes since she was three years old and can do great things in tennis if she continues to work hard. Avern wrote, “I am interested in tennis because I like competing and exercising. Tennis classes also help to teach good manners and behaviour and I know those are important. At tennis, once rules are followed, everybody is safe and happy. I like playing tennis as it gives me the opportunity to win supplies and trophies and, trust me, there is no time to be lazy or slack.”
The final scholarship went to Errol Lake (6) of South Hill. Errol attends the Valley Primary School and has been involved in the ATA’s after school programme for the past year. Errol began playing tennis by taking private lessons at Cuisinart Resort and Spa with the ATA staff. He was given this free opportunity because of some personal tragedies he had experienced at a young age. With the passing of his father, and the financial difficulties his mother experienced as a result of that, prompted Mrs. Brenda Lawrence, a certified social worker, to intervene and find ways for Errol to become involved in more structured and positive activities. Mrs. Lawrence wrote, “[Errol] has the build of a natural athlete, tall, thin, very strong and has good coordination. He is keen to play sports and gets much satisfaction and joy from his tennis lessons. I had originally advocated for Errol to have a tennis scholarship partly so that he could have a positive, Anguillian, male role model as well as having a physical outlet and a place to build the skills required of a disciplined sport. The ATA has provided all of this and more for Errol. Tennis has been a positive and consistent addition to Errol’s life.”

These scholarships will provide tuition for an entire year in the Anguilla Tennis Academy After School Programme. The programme is conducted during the school year from 4-6 pm Monday-Thursday and Saturday 8-11:30 am. Currently, there are almost 80 children enrolled and with the new facility in Blowing Point nearing completion, there will be room for more participants as there are six courts instead of just one in the Webster Park.

Attending the press conference were Paul Lowerre and family, Mitchell Lake, Millie Hodge, Jason Allen and, of course, the three scholarship recipients. When asked about his contribution, Mr. Lowerre said, “I am glad to support the Anguilla Tennis Academy and this is a way to give our thanks to Anguillians who have made us feel so welcome, and to help the advancement of this important children’s programme.” Mitch Lake (President of the ATA Board), Millie Hodge (Vice-President), and Jason Allen (Director of the ATA) all thanked the Lowerre family not only for their generous contribution, but for the establishment of the endowment through UBS Financial Services. They also thanked them for the donation of the coconut palms and palm tress that have been recently planted at the new facility.
The Lowerre family congratulated the three young children and wished them the best of luck with their tennis endeavours. The children were certainly happy to receive the scholarships but equally in awe of the progress of the tennis facility. They seemed eager for it to finish so that they could be some of the first to use it.

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