By Vanessa Cort

A 16-member squad of Rebel Tennis Club players recently returned from a high-level training programme in Florida (US), happy with the exposure and the opportunity to learn more about their chosen sport.

Their spell at the HITT (High Intensity Tennis Training) Academy allowed them to meet and interact with players from other countries, training and also competing with them.
The squad was represented in all categories—under 10, 12, 14, and 18—and for some of the younger players it was their first trip abroad and the first time they would participate in such a programme.

After stiff warm-ups, drills, and tennis technique with rotating coaches, the players were required to do five hours of match play each day.
In a chat with some of the senior club members, it was clear that they all had benefitted from the training—identifying and working on their weaknesses—were impressed with the skill of the other players they met and had thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Said Kaliah Rocke, “It was awesome. The training was tough, but we still managed to do well”. In fact, Nathan DeNobrega, one of the club’s star players, made it to the semi-finals during competition on the final two days of the course. He lost to one of the academy’s top-seeded players.

Nathan felt the training was “a good experience.” He liked the atmosphere and the surroundings, saying, “It was fun to ‘hit up’ with them.”
And Coach Andre Erskine, who said it was a great opportunity for the players, expressed satisfaction with Nathan’s performance, ” I was satisfied with Nathan’s play. He lost to a top player.”
Gerald Scotland, another top Club player, not only reached the quarter-finals but also won the consolation draw, while Kimora and Naomi Erskine both reached the finals.
Christian Younge said the level of play of the other attendees was “incredible,” adding, “I got to see what’s out there and it’s going to push me to do better here”.

Makaila Pierre loved the experience and the opportunity to observe the techniques of other players. ” And since I’ve come back I’ve tried to do what I learned”, she said.
Akeel Semple too was impressed by the high level of play and the intensity of training. ” I think I can achieve more consistency and I’ll push for further improvements.”
Denzel Luthers, who is about to embark on a coaching course, said he was “stunned” by the high level of play and impressed by the level of commitment the other visitors showed. He was able to play on a clay surface, which he now loves and has seen possibilities for improving his shot-making and his stamina.

Both Denzel Luthers and Gerald Scotland have been encouraged by Coach Erskine to become coaches themselves and have been coaching younger club members. He has recommended them to attend the CBI (Coaching Beginners and Intermediate) Coaching Course being held in St Lucia from September 12 to 23. Gerald is being sponsored by the Club, while Denzel will be sponsored by the International Tennis Federation via the Guyana Tennis Association.

And while the other players returned home after the training, Coach Erskine and some of the senior boys travelled to New York to attend the final week of the American Grand Slam tennis tournament. The coach explained that the girls could not attend because everyone had to share one large room.

They were able to ‘ soak in’ the New York experience, visiting Times Square, Madison Square Garden, and Central Park, sampling pizza, and testing their appetites at an ‘all you can eat’ buffet.
But the highlight of the visit was ” getting up close and personal,” as Coach Erskine put it, with some of the biggest names in tennis and watching them during practice sessions.
They were not able to meet the players but got a first-hand look at how top seeds like Holger Rune and Ben Shelton executed their shots. And they even got a wave from the world number one female player and current US Grand Slam defending champion, Aryna Sabalenka.

Now back home, Coach Erskine has once again expressed his gratitude to GBTI (The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry) for allowing Club members to use its courts. However, he would like to see the government develop public tennis facilities for the Grove/Diamond area, which has over 80 active players.
Smalta, which has now taken over full sponsorship of the Club, will be holding the next tournament, scheduled for early next month.
And earlier this year the Club celebrated its

10th anniversary, with cocktails and a trophy presentation at the Farrington Luxury Suites and Dialysis Centre in Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara.
The event was held on the Centre’s Roof Garden and featured sumptuous snacks and cocktails creatively named for various tennis strokes, like Whiskey Sour ‘Smashes’ and Margarita ‘Serve’.
My best wishes to hard-working coach Andre Erskine and the Rebel Tennis Club members. Keep promoting local tennis and putting Guyanese tennis players ‘on the map’.