Tennis

Tennis in Barbados

Tennis is undergoing a major comeback in Barbados and all are being encouraged to play from children right up to adult beginners. So if you have never played before then now is the time to start!

The Barbados Tennis Association is actively fund raising to finance local tennis teams in Barbados and are looking for both local and international sponsors to help in organizing domestic tournaments, to light the courts at The National Tennis Centre and to have a closer working relationship with the National Sports Council to develop the game. They have even appointed a junior coach who is coaching at various secondary schools and has already seen an increase in the amount of children wishing to play tennis.

The Barbados Tennis Association has outlined the following Tournament Calendar for 2007:

Seniors only
> Interclub competition – March at National Tennis Centre
> Federation Cup – April 16-21 Uruguay
> Caribbean Top 16 Men’s Invitational – May Trinidad
> Open Tournament – May
> Davis Cup – June 18-25 Guatemala
> Senior and Open Nationals – September

Juniors Only
> Junior Davis Cup/Fed Cup – Mar 26-Apr 1 El Salvador
> Easter tournament – March – April
> JITIC tournament – July 30 – Aug 5
> Junior Nationals – September
> FCIB ITF Group 4 junior tournament – October 15-21
> Under 14 Development Championships – Oct 29-Nov 4
> Junior Christmas tournament – December

The National Tennis Centre is open Monday to Friday from 2.30pm until 9.00pm and on Saturday from 7.00am until 6.00pm.

Court rental fees are subject to change but for guidance you can expect to pay $8 per hour for members and $16 per hour for non-members without lights. It is $16 per hour for members and $24 for non-members with lights. To book a court please call Julian Baird at the National Tennis Centre on (246) 427-5300 or (246) 427-5298.

Sunday bookings must be made by 2.00pm on Saturdays.

Please also contact Julian or Kevin regarding coaching sessions, racquet re-stringing etc… at the National Tennis Centre.

Membership fees are Juniors of 18 & under one time entrance fee of $20. Annual membership fee is $20 for Adults who are over 18 and a one time entrance fee of $40. There is an annual membership fee of $50.

Membership forms are available from Julian at the NTC or from the Association’s website – www.tennisbarbados.org.

A new ranking system for junior, open and senior players will become effective this year.

Please see the Barbados Tennis Association’s website www.tennisbarbados.org for details as well as for the list of ranked players in all categories, which will updated on a regular basis.