The President of The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association, Perry Newton was reelected as President of Cotecc Sub Region 3 for the 2023-2025 period in Cancun, Mexico. President Newton made history in 2021 when he was first elected to serve as President of the Confederation of Tennis of Central America and the Caribbean (Cotecc) subregion which includes Bermuda, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Cayman.
President Newton rejoins the 9 member board tasked with leading and serving the region in tennis development over the ensuing years. Persio Maldonado was also reelected as President of Cotecc and will lead the board over the next 2 years.
During the Cotecc AGM, the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) also received an award for Excellence in Tennis Development in the Bahamas. The Bahamas was the only English-speaking country to receive such a prestigious award. 2 other nations including Costa Rica and Dominican Republic received this noteworthy accolade. The ITF and Cotecc reviewed the nominees and The Bahamas was awarded for Excellence in Events and Participation. The key work by the BLTA noted were the hosting of the International Junkanoo Bowl at the NTC, national tournaments throughout
the islands, the National Tennis Centre (NTC) programs and the junior tennis initiative with the “Play Tennis” kids. The Bahamas also participated in 6 regional events organizing and managing 8 teams in 2023. Other honourable mentions were the training courses organized by the BLTA including the Play Tennis Course for coaches and Officiating Course for officials, NTC’s pursuit of ITF recognition and its active participation in the ITF Academy.
President Newton expressed his appreciation for receiving this award on behalf of The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association. “There are many who have contributed to The BLTA’s achievement, including those who have gone before to lay a firm foundation. A primary focus during the last three years was to build on the tennis pillars of coaching, junior development and officiating to ensure tennis sustainability. President Newton thanked the ITF for the recognition and support over the years their guidance has been invaluable. Thanks to the coaches who have been newly trained and those existing coaches who constantly retool, to the players both young and old who are committed to honing their craft, to the BLTA Officials, Executives and Administrators and the NTC Directors who have
served unselfishly this award is for each and every one of you who volunteer and serve with professionalism and grace. My administration has worked very hard to ensure that there are opportunities for all and that there is development at all levels and throughout the islands. It is good that this work has been acknowledged by our International governing body.
We are encouraged when newly trained officials serve at our national tournaments, new tournaments are hosted in Abaco by the Abaco Tennis Association and there is increased junior participation from Eleuthera (Eleuthera Tennis Association), Grand Bahama (Grand Bahama Tennis Association), Abaco, Nassau and throughout the Bahamas. We are further motivated by the increase in certified coaches and more adults and children playing across the entire Bahamas. I thank God who has made our way prosperous and guides our pathway. Thanks to all the sponsors
and donors who have contributed to the BLTA, especially during the last two years, may God forever bless you. This award only spurs us on to continue the work and to develop and grow the sport. To God be the glory for great things He hath done”
President of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) David Haggerty was on hand to present President Newton with the award of excellence along with Mr John Goede the ITF Development Officer for the Caribbean. The officers and members of the BLTA congratulate President Newton on his reelection to the board as President of Subregion 3 of the Confederation of Central America and the Caribbean. We know you will represent and serve your country and the region well. We also congratulate the BLTA on receiving such a prestigious global award; this is the first time The Bahamas has received such an accolade. Continue to break barriers, make Bahamian tennis history and set new levels BLTA, as you strive for excellence with God’s grace.
Original Post Date: 9/27/2023
