The 2012 US Open will this August welcome three of Anguilla’s passionate young tennis players from the Anguilla Tennis Academy (ATA). The avid players were selected by the ATA to attend this grand slam event which will heighten their insight and love for the game of tennis whilst developing their global and cultural awareness. They are Xander Owen-Vasilis aged 13, Myisha Letang, 11 and Nandi Edwards, 8.
TheAnguillaTennisAcademyis a non-profit organization that provides year round tennis training to the youth of Anguilla. The primary goal of the Anguilla Tennis Academy is to expose children to the joys, discipline and rigor of the life-long sport of tennis where they can acquire technical skills, experience ideal sportsmanship and develop a strong sense of community. The ATA programs are designed to challenge its students in three main areas:
• Academically- to help students meet the requirements to attend accredited colleges.
• Technically- to help its students reach exceptional standards in tennis.
• Socially- to help students demonstrate self-discipline, anger management skills, team building and leadership skills.
Since inception in 1996, more than 3,000 children locally, regionally, and internationally have benefited from its programs.
In keeping with its mission to foster a multi-pronged developmental approach for the youth, the ATA has crafted a remarkable four day opportunity offering a range of activities including several days’ attendance at the US Tennis Open and an additional day of site seeing at historic and cultural places of interest in the pulsating city ofNew York. The travelling delegation also comprises Vallan Hodge-Richardson, Tennis Director, Viceroy Anguilla, Denise Webster-Horsford, ATA Office Clerk and Annmarie Letang, Parent Chaperone.MitchLakecommented, “The ATA is committed to providing opportunities for its youth through the sport of tennis. The opportunity for young participants to observe world class tennis at the US Open Grand Slam event is an opportunity of a lifetime. It is my wish that they will become motivated and aspire to one day compete on such a grand stage.”
Vallan added: “The US Open is my favourite Grand Slam tournament. Being there in person to witness the greatest players in an electrifying atmosphere was indeed a memorable moment in my tennis experiences. I have no doubt that this amazing opportunity will motivate the children attending to work harder towards realizing their tennis goals.”
The children selected for this trip have worked hard year-round and have exhibited outstanding performance in the various areas of their life including: tennis and other sports, academic study and the performing arts.
TheAnguillaTennisAcademythrough its resources and generous support network has already sourced and funded the hotel stay and the tickets to the US Open. The ATA and its parents and community partners are now embarking on a program to raise funds to meet the delegation’s travel expenses and board during the visit.
For this trip to the US Open, a target budget of USD6,000 (Six thousand United States Dollars) is now needed to meet the travel and board-related expenses. Any additional funds raised, will be applied towards the ATA’s ongoing worthwhile programs.
We encourage you to be part of this fabulous opportunity to join the cause for our youth and their mentors!
Funds can be donated to theAnguillaTennisAcademy(include note: US Open Visit) through the following ways.
Bank draft or Anguilla check payment made out toAnguillaTennisAcademy
MasterCard or Visa (Credit card authorization form to be completed and faxed)
Wire transfer or deposit to bank account:
Bank ofAmericaNA
100 SE,2nd Street
13th Floor
MiamiFL33131
ABA# 026009593
SWIFT ID BOFAUS3M
For credit account number 1901-0-50156
In the name of Caribbean Commercial Bank (Anguilla) LTD
For further credit to: The Anguilla Tennis Academy, Account #: 7625221
Participate and pledge your support by visiting www.ata.elitepro.net
Appreciation is extended to the following persons for their generous donations towards this fundraising cause:
• Mr. Paul Lowerre and Family, for assistance with hotel accommodations in NY
• Mr. David Robin and Family, for providing US Open tickets for the traveling delegation
• Mr. Marty Bloom , for all-round ongoing support
• Mr. Mitchelle Lake, organizer of US Open professional development trip
• Dr. Renante Guinto, Photographer and Gen Guinto
• Mr. Rocklyn Maynard
• www.elitepro.net
For more information about the work of the ATA, please visit our website at www.anguillatennis.com or follow us on facebook at www.facebook.com/anguillatennis
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
