All roads led to Freeport, Grand Bahama this week where The Grand Bahama Tennis Association held its annual Focal Tennis tournament October 26th-29th. Juniors competed in the U12-U18 age groups and the following champions emerged:
Girls U12:
Winner: Caitlyn Pratt
Runner-Up: Danielle Saunders
Boys U12:
Winner: Chase Newbold
Runner-Up: Kingston Rees
Girls U14
Winner: Millie Beukes
Runner-Up: Tatyana Madu
Boys U14
Winner: Patrick Mactaggart
Runner-Up: Alec Hopper
Girls U16
Winner: Jalisa Clarke
Runner-Up: Tatyana Madu
Boys U16
Winner: William McCartney
Runner-Up: Patrick Mactaggart
Girls U18
Winner: Jalisa Clarke
Runner-Up: Saphirre Ferguson
Boys U18
Winner: William McCartney
Runner-Up: Miguel Smith
Boys Doubles
Winners: Alec Hooper and Patrick Mactaggart
Runners Up – Aiden Ritchie and Synaj Watkins
Girls Doubles
Winners: Saphirre and BreAnn Ferguson
Runners up: Briana Houlgrave and Tatyana Madu
The GBTA congratulated all the players who participated in the four-day event including those who travelled from New Providence, Exuma, Eleuthera and Abaco. A special thanks was extended to the BLTA President Mr. Perry Newton, and Vice President Chilean Burrows who attended the event in support of the players, parents and the GBTA.
The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association(BLTA) congratulates the GBTA on hosting this tournament over the years. The organization and management of tournaments takes effort and commitment and we acknowledge the hard work of the GBTA. The President of the BLTA Perry Newton and Vice-President Chilean Burrows met with the newly elected GBTA President Greg Laroda and his team in Grand Bahama and discussed various topics that will aid in tennis growth. We wish the team continued success as they develop tennis in Grand Bahama.
This tournament has served as a good precursor to the upcoming Confederation of Central America and the Caribbean (Cotecc)tennis camp in Nassau Bahamas. The U12 Girls Finalists who are from Grand Bahama, Caitlyn Pratt and Danielle Saunders and the U12 Boys Champion Chase Newbold will be participating in the camp. Patrick Mactaggart the lone athlete who competed in three finals emerging as a double champion will also participate in the camp. Joining them are talented juniors: Briana Houlgrave, Ayai Bethel from Eleuthera and Synaj Watkins.
This tournament also leads into the upcoming Cotecc U14 Tennis Event where international players will participate. Juniors from Abaco, Nassau, Grand Bahama and Eleuthera are expected to represent at a high in tennis, we encourage coaches to continue to develop the athletes and encourage them to play in these competitive tournaments. The opportunities for more competition have increased with more junior tournaments added to the BLTA’s calendar providing for more matchplay and growth.
The Junior Circuit for the U14 will climax with the international tournament Nov 11th-16th. We wish the juniors all the best as they represent the country.
Original Post Date: 11/2/2023
