With the National Tennis Centre formally handed over to the St Lucia Tennis Association (SLTA), the association began implementing programs for the development of tennis in St Lucia with renewed vigour.
Presently a junior tennis team is representing St Lucia at the World Junior Tennis Competition Qualifiers taking place in the Dominican Republic from March 14-20. The team consists of Dean White (coach) and under-14 players Shaquille Jn Marie, Tjimon Louisy and Ajani Thomas.
A second team of Under-16 boys will travel to El Salvador to represent the island at the Junior Davis Cup and Junior Fed Cup from March 21-27. Team members are Trevor Hunte (captain), Jaden Charles, Reynard Julien and Kieran President.
The broader objective of the SLTA is to develop youth tennis through the provision of quality facilities and an environment for imparting of quality training to junior players (including grass roots school programs, exposure to national, regional and international tournaments), to advance the sport and assist in improving the social well being of our country.
The St Lucia Under-14 squad is playing in Group F of the round robin along with Puerto Rico and the Netherlands. Day one (Monday) was an uphill fight with St Lucia going up against Puerto Rico.
Jn Marie went up against Ignacio Garcia who won in straight sets 6-0, 6-0. Thomas also found the going tough losing to Jorge Isaias Ortiz 6-2, 6-2.
In the doubles match which took place later that afternoon the Puerto Rico team of Garcia/Bryan Enistoss defeated JnMarie/Louisy 6-0, 6-1.
St Lucia is back on the court on Wednesday going up against the Netherlands.
