New TSC Head Tennis Coach, Anime El Ouanzani, has already established a new junior programme at the club. Photo: TSC

The participants at the recently concluded tennis summer camp were given a surprise visit from the Governor, William Boyd McLeary. Photo: TSC

Such was the popularity of the summer camp that El Ouanzani had to enlist some of the up and coming young tennis strats to help out. Photo: TSC

The programme is flip flopped on Thursday’s with the Under 18’s starting at 3:30-5:00pm and the Under 12’s from 5:00 until 6:00pm, before on Saturday’s the Under 12’s practice from 9:00-10:00 followed by the Under 18’s from 10:00-11:30am. Photo: TSC

New Head Tennis Professional, Amine El Ouazzani, has over 15 years of experience in the tennis field as a player and a USPTA coach. He has acquired an in-depth knowledge of the sport, successfully worked with junior players of all ages from the introduction to the sport and developed them to nationally ranked players who then went on to compete on University tennis teams.

In addition, over the years, El Ouanzani has perfected intensive developmental as well as social tennis programess for adults and is excited to introduce his work to the Tortola Sports Club members and tennis enthusiasts alike.

His opening venture, the Summer Camp, was very well attended and proved the depth of youngsters wishing to learn the game from the bottom up. In fact, the numbers of kids was amazing but slightly overwhelming so, along with the new Head Coach, the clubs fitness expert and former squash professional, Danielle Schumann, as well as  higher level juniors, Stephon Rhoden, Paul Oliver, and Justine Bryson who have all benefited from LTA funding, all helped to give back to help out the younger players.

There was also a surprise guest, the Governor, His Excellency William Boyd McLeary, who  stopped by one morning to address the kids at the LTA/TSC Junior Summer Tennis Camp. He encouraged the kids to stay active and continue their participation in sport. He then took the time to hit balls with some of the kids who tried their hardest to make the Governor run back and forth to get the shots.

And now the TSC, in conjunction with El Ouanzani, have developed and launched their High Performance Junior Tennis Development Programme starting after school at the Club in Pasea on Courts 1 and 4, which will be a fluid system but based on regular groupings including on Tuesday’s the Under 12’s from 3:30-4:30 P.M. and the  Under 18 from 4:30-6:00 P.M.

The programme is flip flopped on Thursday’s with the Under 18’s starting at 3:30-5:00 P.M. and  the Under 12’s from 5:00 until 6:00 P.M. On Saturday’s, the Under 12’s practice from 9:00-10:00 followed by the  Under 18’s from 10:00-11:30 A.M.

According to the TSC, "potential players and their families are welcomed to come out and watch some intense training with coach Amine and some of the top juniors on the island.” They also mentioned that  “the schedule may be amended going forward once Amine better understands the kids' school schedules and ability levels!”

With a second coach due to arrive, there will also be more flexibility to adjust times and the TSC has asked that parents especially”be patient during our initial growing pains and look forward to the blossoming of the young juniors training at the TSC.”

Other programmes are also in the pipeline as the sport continues to thrive, including for kids who are just starting the game, as well as those aspiring to make the leap and be part of the High Performance Programme.

The TSC Junior Tennis Programmes include four basic level divisions:

 Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and weekends are OPEN for private lessons as well as Private Group Lessons

• Little Munchkins (ages 3 to 6)- a first time exposure to tennis. Designed for future little champions with a main focus on developing eye-hand coordination including catch and throw, basic general movements, and hitting.

• Young Juniors (Under 12)- a Basic stroke development, including drilling and foundation skill development to advance rallying capabilities, and match play introduction.

• High Performance B Young Juniors (Under 12)- Requiring coach’s evaluation for selected junior players qualifying for advanced level training and strategy development for tournament competition.The main focus on drilling, footwork and conditioning, stroke development, and match play.

• High Performance A Juniors (ages 12 to 18)- also requiring a coach’s evaluation for selected junior players qualifying for advanced level training and strategy development for tournament competition.

 The junior programme also features:

• Competitive match ladder play

• Junior TSC Team Cup (coming soon)

• Other club tournament competition (coming soon)