Home|Sports|BLTA partners with ITF to train next generation of coachesSports
The Nassau GuardianSend an emailNovember 10, 2022 157 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email
The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) Play Tennis Certification Course for coaches was a huge success. The course tutor was the International Tennis Federation (ITF) developmental officer for the Caribbean, John Goede.
The course saw a very good representation from the primary school district and the various islands: Abaco, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama and New Providence.
Goede said the teaching of the base of tennis and the instruction is very important.
“The broader the base, the better, the better the foundation, the better the fundamentals that are taught to the individuals, and the better they will be able to sustain and stay in the game for long periods of time,” Goede stated.
He added, “It is important to create these opportunities, so that coaches learn the right way to teach beginners to play the game.”
The 13 participants who benefited from the course were Shannon Francis, Mateo Smith, Philip Major Jr., Roy Rivera, Vernon Russell, Danny Rigby, Shirlene Moss, Mechelle Walker, Christine Sinclair,
Leonardo Culmer, Brad Wood, Julio Valdez and Leonardo Braynen.
During the Play Tennis Course, the coaches had a mix of on-the-court instruction and in-classroom training. It is the hope of the BLTA that the participants will take all that they have learned during the sessions and implement it as they introduce beginners to tennis. There will also be many opportunities for the coaches to participate in the ongoing BLTA developmental programs as the association makes tennis more accessible to all.
BLTA President Perry Newton stated that these coaching certification courses help with the national development of our coaches and athletes.
“We hope to continue to provide these sessions to persons who are interested in helping with the developmental goals of the association in growing tennis. As we develop coaches, the pool of players can expand,” Newton said.
The BLTA thanked Goede who visited both Abaco and Eleuthera and was greeted warmly by the respective island association presidents, Cameel Mcdonald, Abaco Tennis Association; and Hartie Johnson, Eleuthera Tennis Association.