Diamond Gumbs makes a forehand return during Saturday's session at the Tortola Sports Club. Photo>Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

TORTOLA—During the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games in Cartagena, Colombia, tennis player Dion Anselm came to a sobering realization. “This is way past me,” he told me during and interview following an opening round loss to a Cuban player. “When I go back home, I’m going to focus on developing the youth.”

Shortly after his return, he kept his word and some 95 players on Tortola benefited from an introduction program. But, it was short lived as funding became an issue. Fast forward to 2008. In June, Anselm became president of the BVI Lawn Tennis Association. Two months later, he had secured and Olympic Solidarity grant through the BVI Olympic Committee to launch a
Tennis Talent Identification Program.

Last Sunday when he won the First Caribbean International Bank Tennis Tournament at the Tortola Sports Club, Anselm immediately demonstrated true sportsmanship by donating his prize to Jr. champion Alexia Allyene and runners up Paul Oliver, so that they could purchase equipment, shoes or clothing to aid in their development. He must be commended.

On Saturday’s Anselm is a fixture on the Tennis courts at the Tortola Sports Club, “Dion has worked pretty hard to motivate everyone and he’s there every Saturday,” Tim Robson, one of four coaches in the program noted. “He turns up, hits with the kids and he’s a good motivator and I think he’s very good as president for the association.”

The talent identification program runs during the week in Long Look and at the Tortola Sports Club and 23 persons have been identified. Robson said Saturday’s sessions are opened to everyone at any level. He said with four coaches, they have the opportunity to look for the better ones who could be developed to eventually go on to represent the BVI.

Among the drills conducted on Saturday was a volley drill, and Robson pointed out he was looking for keen players whose eyes are really bright, they are looking for the ball and are and an athlete on the court. He said if they have reasonable hand eye coordination and they are athletic, then something can be done with them.

“There are several players I’ve been seeing in those groups and they come back which means they must be enjoying it,” he said. “They must be enjoying it, which means they are probably going to continue playing. Some are really good athletes and with a bit of discipline, they can turn into good players.”

Robson said the program has taken off and Anselm said it is a success. “The kids are all excited and you can see the development on the court,” Anselm said. “They are hitting the ball better, they are all excited, they are coming out on time so I think it’s a great success so far.”

From the summer camp that attracted over 80 players, Anselm said 20 were selected from Road Town and 10 from Long Look and drafted into the talent identification program. “We have some challenges with kids on the western end of the island who get out of school at 3:15 p.m. and can’t get to town by 4 p.m. but, we have managed to accommodate them on Saturdays.”

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