TORTOLA—Just five months after taking office, the BVI Lawn Tennis hosted International Tennis Federation Regional Director Anthony Jeremiah for a 3-day visit, where plans for new initiatives were discussed.

With assistance from Olympic Solidarity funding thought the BVI Olympic Committee, the association has recently launched a talent identification program, which is being conducted on the courts at the Tortola Sports Club and in Long Look. Jeremiah witnessed Saturday morning’s session and offered suggestions. He said his visit was a successful one.

“The meetings went very well and now they are completing a 5-year plan for the direction in which they want to go and have this presented by the end of the year,” he said. “There are some other initiatives that will come up in 2009. I’ve also had the opportunity to see the talent identification program and I’m going to be making recommendations on how to make the program better, which will come in my follow up letter. All in all, the past three days was very successful and I’m hoping we work together to make Tennis in the BVI much better. It’s now up to the association as to how and when they plan to do things, but they will always have my full support and I’m here to help them.”

Jeremiah said the BVI is starting from scratch, which is a good thing, as they will be able to use the program as a model in development. They’ll be able to see the progress when they youngsters begin playing in regional tournament starting in 2009. “This is an all round program that has just been started in the BVI in terms of developing level one and two coaches and athlete development,” Jeremiah noted. “It’s great because the program has just started and with the young blood in the association, I think things will be good, but, it’s now up to them.”

Association president Dion Anselm said Jeremiah’s visit was timely as he had a chance to see what they are doing and assist them in putting their 5-year program in place, which will be completed next month. He said his association is also revising its Constitution as well. “His visit was timely as the new executive has only been on board for a few months now,” Anselm said. “It was good to have him here to help in the aspects of developing Tennis in the BVI.”

© Copyright 2008-9 BVI Olympic Committee

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