What a powerpack year of tennis from hosting the 1st regional training camp in The Bahamas to Abaco hosting its 1st National Tournament to The BLTA Awards, the Bahamas Games and the BLTA President being reelected to the regional Cotecc tennis body and The BLTA receiving an award for Tennis Excellence. All these things were only possible through God and we give Him thanks.
Let’s look at our top 10 of 2023, noteworthy, inspiring and memorable events and achievements that are permanently etched in Bahamas tennis history.
We start with the chart-topper at number 1:
#1 – The BLTA RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
During the Cotecc AGM in Cancun, Mexico the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) received an award for Excellence in Tennis Development. The President of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) David Haggerty presented President Perry Newton with the Award of Tennis Excellence. The Bahamas was the only English-speaking country to receive such a prestigious award. The ITF and Cotecc reviewed the nominees and The Bahamas was awarded for Excellence in Events and Participation.
The #1 is none other than the prestigious global award received by the BLTA; 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.
#2 – Historic Regional Camp at the BLTA’s National Tennis Centre
️The Confederation of Tennis for Central America and the Caribbean (Cotecc) hosted the first-ever high-level training camp for the English-speaking countries in the region at the BLTA’s National Tennis
Centre (NTC). 12 of the best athletes in the U14 division participated in the camp from 5 countries including The Bahamas, Barbados, Curacao, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. Leading the camp was John Goede the ITF Development Officer for the Caribbean.
The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association was pleased to be chosen as the country to organize this event, which gave our talented juniors a forum for increased learning, to sharpen their skills and broaden their horizons. Assisting Coach Goede on the court was Coach Marion Bain, who has captained our teams in this age division in international competition. President Perry Newton greeted the local and international players at the camp. Top players from The region were Makeda Bain – Trinidad & Tobago, Keziah Fluonia and Brandon – Curacao, Dimitri Kirton – Barbados, Alhil Cyril – St Lucia and Josiah Hills – Trinidad & Tobagoml. Joining them in this intensive training from The Bahamas were local top juniors: Patrick Mactaggart, Briana Houlgrave, Caitlyn Pratt, Synaj Watkins, Chase Newbold, Ayai Bethel and Danielle Saunders. This awesome group includes the top 6th boy and top 8th-ranked girl in the Caribbean and Central American region! The 4-day camp was a huge success.
We were thankful for this opportunity to welcome the top athletes in the region to the Bahamas and the NTC. The ITF and Cotecc have invested in these outstanding athletes and it tops the chart at #2 of 2023!
#3
Two ️Bahamians Captured Regional Tennis Titles. In the #3 spot we feature top performers in 2023 and the first half on the junior side is our regional winners. It was a historic ending for Bahamas Tennis at the BLTA’s National Tennis Centre. Bahamians Tatyana Madu and Patrick Mactaggart both won the singles championship titles at the U14 Confederation of Tennis for Central America and the Caribbean (Cotecc) Junkanoo Bowl.
Tatyana who went into the competition ranked 30th in the Central American and Caribbean region emerged a double crown Champion! Tatyana was the #1 seed coming out of the round-robins. She would go on to win all of her main draw singles matches in straight sets. Tatyana was also named Player of the Month for November 2023 by Tribune Media.
Patrick won the boy’s singles and had a smooth run to the finals. He captured the singles title and was also a finalist in Boys Doubles, Patrick teamed up with Alec Hooper. The Cotecc event featured
approximately 40 talented girls and boys from nine countries.
Mr. John Goede the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Development Officer for the Caribbean expressed thanks to The BLTA on behalf of the ITF and Cotecc for making this event possible. Tatyana and Patrick you have set your mark in Bahamian tennis history and the best is yet to come!
#4
The BLTA Awards Ceremony. Topping the countdown at #4 is The 2023 Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) Recognition Awards ceremony. The tennis community is made up of many stakeholders who all together make Bahamas Tennis great! We paid homage to the players, administrators, coaches, media, executives, directors, sponsors and supporters in December. It was a great night of celebration!
Persons represented from the islands of Abaco, Eleuthera, Nassau and Grand Bahama. Thank you for positively contributing to the tennis landscape in The Bahamas. We are thankful to God who has gifted talented persons who offer their gift to build up tennis in the Bahamas.
#5
Abaco Tennis Inaugural National Tournament. Making the top 5 of 2023 Tennis is the inaugural National Tournament hosted by The Abaco Tennis Association (ATA) in Marsh Harbour Abaco.
Abaco Tennis is a testament of faith, resilience and courage. Having to rebuild their lives after Hurricane Dorian, tennis was an outlet for many after such a traumatic experience. The ATA had to locate new courts and its members banded together to keep tennis going on the island.
Fast forward to 2023, the ATA took on the challenge to host for the first time a National Tournament in Abaco. The tournament featured girls and boys in the U14 category. Participants from Nassau and Grand Bahama joined tennis athletes from Abaco in very competitive matches.President of the ATA Cameel Mcdonald and the team had great success in a smooth and well-organized National event. The ATA also was recognized at the 2023 BLTA Awards Ceremony.
ATA you are indeed worthy of this #5 placement with the expansion of this National event to the beautiful shores of Abaco. This exemplifies true development throughout our chain of islands at all levels. You are truly an inspiration in the tennis community and in The entire Bahamas!
#6
BLTA President ReElected to Head Sub Region 3 Cotecc. A historic moment in Bahamas Tennis makes the #6 spot on our countdown as The BLTA President Perry Newton was reelected at the Annual AGM in Mexico to serve as the President of the Sub Region 3 of the Confederation of Tennis for Central America and the Caribbean (Cotecc) for 2023-2025. President Newton was honoured to also serve in this role for the years 2021-2023. During this time President Newton was appointed to the Junior Development Committee. The countries in the subregion include Bermuda, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Cayman. What a great honour!
The 2021 nomination and election was historic for Bahamas Tennis and the 2023 reelection solidifies the commitment to service and advancement of tennis at the regional level. President Newton, this is a well-deserved top 10 moment of 2023 and we wish you God’s blessings in 2024 as you continue to serve with excellence.
#7
Coming in at #7 is the recognition by the ITF of Mr Marvin Rolle and the Bahamas Hall of Fame Induction of Mr Mark Knowles. Mark and Marvin have served on the same team at the Davis Cup Competition. Both gentlemen were also honoured recently at the 2023 BLTA Awards Ceremony.
Mark Knowles has been synonymous with the success of Bahamas Tennis. No other is more decorated in the sport of Bahamian tennis than Mark. At one point in his career in singles, Mark was ranked the World’s No. 96 on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). However, what he is famous for is his success in the doubles arena. He won the 2002 Australian Open, the 2004 U.S. Open, and the 2007 French Open. He also won the 2009 Wimbledon mixed doubles title. Mark Knowles’ contribution to Bahamian Tennis is truly legendary. Mark continues to give back in a big way with his annual Kids clinic and charitable donations to the sport.
In 2023 Marvin Rolle obtained top awards from the ITF for his commitment and service at the Davis Cup level. This decorated Davis Cupper has achieved the most wins of any Bahamian in team competition. In 2023 he received his 25th Nomination to Team Bahamas. His willingness to serve and represent the country is commendable. His best run with the team was to the Group I Semifinals. Marvin has been a part of the Bahamas Davis Cup for 15 straight years. He has won 42 Davis Cup matches, 28 in doubles which is the most for any Bahamian player. Marvin’s Career High ranking in doubles is 681 and 1304 in singles. He epitomizes tennis strength, skill, and class. Marvin first played for Team Bahamas at the Davis Cup in 2001.
Mark and Marvin your top 10 placement in 2023 is well deserved you have left a legacy of tennis goodness, consistency, hard work and service. May others be inspired and follow your example.
#8
The Bahamas Games -Tennis was held at the National Tennis Centre and included a talented studded cast from the following islands: Abaco, Mical, Grand Bahama, New Providence, Long Island, Andros and Eleuthera.
Gold – Andros
Silver – Grand Bahama
Bronze -Eleuthera
The Most Outstanding Players:
Female – Sydney Clarke
Male – Denali Nottage
Thanks to all who made this event a success including past presidents Mr Mickey Williams (Referee) and Darnette Weir(Chief Volunteer). Thanks to the entire officiating team for a marvellous job.
The 2023 Bahamas Games Tennis was a huge success. The Games brought together players in a spirit of unity. We pray that we continue to build on this as we seek to grow the sport. Even though we are different islands we are all One Bahamas!
#9
Coming in at #9 is our Play Tennis Bahamas Program which has introduced hundreds to the sport of tennis. Powered by lots of love and the Volunteer Coaches of the BLTA the program partnered with local community programs and top international tennis coaches and players in 2023 to give the kids memorable moments. The program was nominated at the Ministry of Sports 50th Awards in November 2023 for its Community Outreach.
The BLTA welcomed the Centreville Primary School and MP Jomo Campbell to The National Tennis Centre and also went out into the community parks to reach the children who would not normally have access to the sport with free equipment and lessons.
Thanks to “The Coach” Patrick Mouratoglou and his team for visiting the kids at the National Tennis Centre in 2023 and thanks to Mark Knowles Foundation and Baha Mar who invited the kids to join top players Jessica Pegula, Taylor Townsend, Austin Krajicek and others. Giving back is essential to providing the kids with opportunities they would not normally have and we were happy to provide the community kids and the Play Tennis program kids with these life-lasting memories.
What an excellent year of tennis in The Bahamas! We thank God for His blessings on the BLTA, the Players and Tennis in the Bahamas.
#10
Training of New Of New Officials In line with a focus on training and development at all levels the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) hosted a Umpires Course Min ay 2023 at the National Tennis Centre. The course covered the Rules of Tennis and will arm the individuals with the tools they need to umpire tennis matches.
The 20 participants including 11 women utilized what they were taught right away in the Nationals, Bahamas Games and ITF Juniors Tournament.
Thanks to the Course Instructor Mr Mickey Williams and thanks to those who participated and served us well during 2023.
Original Post Date: 1/25/2024
