The SVG Tennis Association has concluded a six-day tennis development clinic held in collaboration with Canadian tennis professionals Lionel Eli, Sasha Gomelyuk, and Arthur Searles.
The Oct. 13 to 18 clinic brought together junior players, parents, adult participants, school students and coaches across a programme that spanned every level of the game, from introductory school sessions through to high-performance training for the country’s most competitive young players.
The tennis pros delivered high-performance sessions for players in the under-10, under-12, under-14, under-16, and under-18 age groups, giving SVG’s junior talent direct access to international-level coaching that focused on improving technique, movement, tactical development, and competitive match preparation.
The clinic also brought tennis into the classroom, with sessions delivered at the nearby Calliaqua Anglican School, and Fairhall Government School as part of the SVG Tennis Association’s schools tennis initiative.
In a particularly meaningful component of the programme, a dedicated session was held for students with special educational needs, reflecting the association’s commitment to making tennis accessible and inclusive for all young people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Parent engagement was a central part of the week. Meetings were held with parents of junior players to discuss player development pathways, the role of parental support in a young player’s journey, and the opportunities ahead for junior tennis in SVG.
The feedback from parents has been very positive, with many expressing appreciation for the openness of the discussions and the quality of the programme.
Adult players were not left out. Dedicated sessions were held for adult participants, reinforcing the association’s commitment to growing the game at every age and every level.
“This programme has been a milestone for tennis development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” SVG Tennis Association President Preye Griffith said.
“To have three international professionals invest six days in our players, our schools, and our tennis community is something we do not take for granted. The response from parents, players, and schools has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are committed to building on this momentum.”
Lionel Eli and his team contributed time, expertise, and equipment, including the donation of tennis nets to replace the association’s nets that were beyond repair.