SVG in ITF 13 and under tournament in Suriname

Upon successful completion of the recently concluded First Citizens Investment Services 2011 International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Tournament in St. Vincent and the Grenadines last week, the SVG Tennis Association (SVGTA) has announced the participation of a national team in the ITF 13 and Under Caribbean Development Championships which takes place in Suriname from August 29 to September 3, 2011.{{more}}

The tournament represents a significant place in the calendar of regional tournaments as it is the only developmental Tennis tournament for this critical age group in the region, a release from the SVGTA said.

Representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines are Junior Tennis players Sebastian Cyrus, Chelsea Haslam, and Richard Akcayli. Training and traveling Coach is Onike Span, whose coaching certifications include ITF Level II. Players were selected based on the Under-14 national rankings, age requirements, and performance, after the conclusion of the SVGTA’s Summer National Tennis tournament in August.

The tournament is supported by the Grand Slam Development Fund and administered by the ITF regional body, COTECC. Countries included were Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Netherland Antilles, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands.

“The SVG Tennis Association is pleased with the national team’s participation and looks forward to continued improvement of junior tennis players in the coming years. The SVGTA thanks Coach Onike Span and the parents of players for volunteering their time and energies into this worthwhile effort. There were many volunteered hours on and off court in preparing the team for this important event,” the release said.

Final results from the 2011 ITF 13 and Under Caribbean Development Championships will be available at www.svgtennis.org upon completion of tournament.