GTC provides scholarship for top male junior player

The Grassroot Tennis Club has served another ace, with the granting of a tennis scholarship to its top junior male player, Antonio Cain of Byera.{{more}}

One who stayed the course with the club since its inception in 2010, Cain captured the Under-12 junior title in Antigua and Barbuda last year and won the consolation draw in the recently held COTECC Under-14 tournament held here earlier this month.

Cain, however, was unable to show his wares in Tobago for that leg of the tournament, as he was involved in a vehicle accident on his way home from the ITF tournament here.

Director of the Grassroot Tennis Club Grant Connell said the scholarship will now be awarded annually to a junior from the club, based on his or her performance on court during the year and will cover school supplies and uniforms.

Connell said, “It’s the club’s five-year plan to explore the possibility of granting a scholarship to a child from a village where GTC develops a court… This development would start with Petit Bordel at the end of September, which is in keeping with the spirit of the club in helping another man to grow, thereby moving forward as a people through sport.”

Connell advised that head coach Trevor Sam will be working on a few points of Cain’s game, with his time on court increased to at least three times per week.

This is part of Cain’s preparation for next year’s ITF tournaments, which will include Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia and Tobago.

Vasilca Cain, mother of Antonio, expressed her thanks to the club for introducing him to the game, allowing him to travel to tournaments, and now assisting him in this way to ease the pressure off court.

She said the support of Connell and head coach Trevor Sam’s dedication to the children at the club must be commended.(RT)