Tennis lessons resume at East End Primary

(TFCI): Pupils at East End Primary were delighted to welcome back tennis pro Noel Watkins last week, as weekly tennis lessons once more resumed at the school thanks to Cayman National’s ongoing sponsorship. Ethana Villalobos, a prefect at the school, has been part of the Cayman National-sponsored tennis programme at East End for the past three years. Ethana, who celebrates/celebrated her 11th birthday on Thursday 29 May, reported, “Tennis is one of the best things of the week. Tennis and football are my favourite things at school.” “East End’s young players are carefully selected to join the Cayman National programme by three criteria: good behaviour, talent and enthusiasm,” reports coach Watkins. 

Players are drawn from all age groups. Each weekly lesson lasts one hour, with the youngsters using short-handled racquets, slow balls and mini nets specially designed for juniors.

“East End is a super bunch of kids, I really enjoy working with them and their tennis has come on well,” reported Watkins. “They can now serve and rally, and are having great fun with tennis while learning the necessary skills.” Watkins is being helped this term by an assistant coach, Aine Leonard of Ireland.

East End is not the only school that benefits from Cayman National’s generous sponsorship: Bodden Town, North Side and West Bay schools are also treated to tennis lessons, which are organized via the Tennis Federation of the Cayman Islands in conjunction with Watkins at Cayman TennisAcademy. 

“The youth of the Cayman Islands is one of the focuses of Cayman National and we recognise that participation in sports provides opportunities for leadership, socialization as well as development of skills in our youth. In addition they are offered an opportunity to learn new skills, while having fun interacting with their peers. Cayman National is pleased to see the programme off to a great start this year,” said Shari Whittaker, Cayman National Bank Marketing Manager. (Below: East End students with Noel Watkins and Aine Leonard)