Young players impress at 'Play Tennis, Stay Tennis'

Eight basic and three Corporate Area primary schools produced exciting competition at the Phillip and Christine Gore Family Foundation's 'Play Tennis Stay Tennis Tournament', at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre, Piccadilly Road, Kingston 5, yesterday.

Manning's Hill Primary had every member of their team in the semi-finals, and were eventually crowned top primary school, while second place went to Mona Primary.

In the basic school section, Amy Bailey Basic School won, while Providence Basic finished second.

Providence were awarded the best dressed and most disciplined team awards, respectively.

The tournament was staged by the Phillip and Christine Gore Family Foundation, in partnership with Tennis Jamaica and the Early Childhood Commission (ECC).

The organisers are hoping to host a tourney each school term as they view tennis as one of the sports in Jamaica with a direct pathway to higher educational opportunities.

Former junior players, Sicquena Sinclair and Shantal Blackwood, are inner city youngsters who have earned scholarships through the Gore Foundation to United States universities.

IMPRESSIVE PLAYERS

Christine Gore said she was impressed with the quality of play displayed yesterday.

"We have hosted here today, eight of the basic schools that we work in.

I have been very impressed with the standard of play, these youngsters have amazing athletic abilities," she said.

Gore added: "The parents' involvement is nice to see. We are glad to see the fathers supporting their kids," she underlined.

The foundation assists schools by putting coaches in, helping with equipment, and assisting with nutrition, among other things.

Lisa Burton, development officer of the ECC hailed the initiative.

"I am very encouraged with what I am seeing today and I think the programme will go a very far way.

"It is a new initiative and a good one. It will assist the development of children holistically," she said.

Burton notes that the commission has 12 standards they go by.

"Mrs Gore and her team are meeting those targets, hence the event is well attended and provided fun for the schools," she added.