The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association is hosting another Coaches Course. Following the “Play Tennis Course” held in March 2019, the BLTA is adding to the skill base of coaches in The Bahamas with the Level 1 International Tennis Federation (ITF) Course. The Course is directed by ITF Development Officer for the Caribbean Mr. John Goede. He is assisted by Bahamian coach, Ms. Chelsi Russell.
The participants include Mike Butler, Rasheed Carey, Rodney Carey Sr., Shannon Francis, Keith Greene, Sharon Greene, Brent Johnson, NolanJohnson, Philip Major Jr., Perry Newton Jr., McArthur Rigby, and Julio Valdez.
This is a Coaching Beginners and Intermediate Course. It gives participants the skills needed to not only introduce persons to tennis but to also coach players up to junior competition level and to also have the ability to promote tennis at a “grass-roots” level. The 8-hr. (per day), 12-day Course runs from August 13 – 24 and is funded by The Olympic Solidarity Fund (via the Bahamas Olympic Committee) in conjunction with the International Tennis Federation.
President Darnette Weir stated,
“The BLTA has organized this course to give the participants the opportunity to gain more knowledge to further develop their coaching skills. One of the focus of the administration is promoting coaches education which is very essential in an ever-changing tennis world.”
President Weir relayed the BLTA’s expectations of the coaches upon successful completion of the Course,
“It is our hope that The Bahamas would in turn benefit greatly by having expanded the pool of trained and qualified tennis instructors who would be willing and able to contribute to the growth of tennis inclusive of National Team Travel and training programs (both individually and nationally).”
In also promoting inclusiveness, President Weir is once again pleased with the unwavering support and participation coming from Freeport, having five (5
) representatives from the Grand Bahama Tennis Association avail themselves of this awesome opportunity. The President also wishes to acknowledge the participation of the stand-alone female, in the person of Mrs.Sharon Greene. This Course is a concerted effort to raise the quality and quantity of tennis coaches in The Bahamas.
Original Post Date: 15/8/2019
