THE Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) is looking to target teenage players this year when the annual P & P Insurance Junior tennis camp begins next week Monday, July 11, and runs for three weeks at the courts of the National Racquet Centre.Usually catering to the younger age groups, this year the association is hopeful of attracting participants in the 12 to 18 years range, as it aims to bring the sport to secondary schools.
“This year’s camp, being held at the National Racquet Centre, hopes to attract more teenagers to the sport since the association is eager to establish a programme for the 12-18 age group especially for schools along the Woolford Avenue who are in closest proximity to the tennis courts.” a press release from the association said.
For the three-week period the camp will be conducted on weekdays, with two sessions daily, ending on July 29. Morning sessions from 09:00hrs to 11:30hrs will cater to the younger 6-11 age group, while sessions for the 12-18 years old will be held from 12:00hrs to 14:00hrs.
The camp is specially programmed for beginners of the sport.
“The Junior Tennis camps provide the ultimate opportunity for young children to learn the game of tennis in a fun but progressive way, combining physical, technical and mental training, ultimately culminating with a competition.
The type of tennis played at the camp is mini-tennis which caters to the development of very young children and is the only type of tennis that paves the way towards full court tennis,” the release further said.
This year marks the twelfth edition of the developmental initiaitive, which “boasts continuous success with a steady flow of juniors subsequently joining tennis clubs to continue training.”
The camp “has proved to be the most consistent and successful tennis camp conducted by the GTA with the number of participants generally ranging in the 80s.” The courses will be conducted by a number of competent, qualified tennis coaches.
The event is once again being sponsored by P & P Insurance Brokers, supported by the proprietor of the entity, Bish Panday. Panday is a long-time supporter of the sport of tennis in Guyana. He continues to honour his commitment to the annual tennis camp, which he first made back in 2005, a year after the tennis association was reestablished and has not reneged on his promise.
Persons desirous of taking part in the event can contact the GTA to register by calling 672-8299.