Grassroots Tennis Club Turns 15

It was February 20, 2010 that saw the official launch of the Grassroot Tennis Club (GTC), hence, the club is in its fifteenth year of existence.

To mark the milestone, the club has embarked on a programme touching 15 communities across St Vincent and the Grenadines as it sets down Tennis markers.

The formation of the GTC is the brainchild of Grant Connell, who is still directing the affairs of the club.

In recognizing the grit and resilience amidst the struggles, Connell expressed contentment that the club has been able to weave its way around and over the hurdles.

“The Grassroot Tennis Club is not defined by a specific court and a club house. We are about developing and reigniting Tennis here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Just give us a space and we will make it work, get players into the sport,” Connell told SEARCHLIGHT.

Giving an insight into the current undertakings of the GTC, Connell revealed, “We will be touching fifteen communities via our Tennis Caravan, introducing the sport to these communities, as we believe that there are hidden gems that simply need reaching out to”.

Reflecting on the last fifteen years of the GTC, Connell feels a sense of accomplishment and visibility for the programme, despite being displaced from its original base at the Haddon courts at Murray’s Road.

“The Grassroot Tennis Club has had its impact on many spheres on the Vincentian landscape,” Connel declared. “ We have produced players and have exhibited our love for humanity in so many ways, making us more than a tennis club.”

Connell listed the club’s efforts to also combat some of the health problems affecting the nation and the GTC’s input to make a difference.

“We had initiatives such as Tennis for Hope, which targeted Diabetes and Prostate Cancer. We partnered with the Medical Association to bring awareness to Breast Cancer. We initiated fund raising efforts for a kidney patient, as well as relief for Dominica when Hurricane Maria hit that island. We are more than tennis,” said Connell, a former President of the SVG Tennis Association.

Other undertakings by the GTC that delighted Connell, were assisting the Lady of Guadelupe Home for Girls, as well as getting the students from the Liberty Lodge Boys Training Centre, and others with special needs into Tennis.

Connell also reflected with satisfaction having the pre-schools mini-tennis programme, and having a pet project at the then Murray’s Road courts, especially for pre-schoolers.

“Over the last fifteen years, we at the Grassroot Tennis Club have rolled out over 120 events, which is remarkable, and we will continue to do more.”

As the club celebrates a decade and a half of achievements, Connell is excited about the Tennis Caravan rolling into the various communities and spreading the love for tennis to all and sundry.