International Tennis Federation members visit Samoa

By Ulimasao Fata 23 March 2018, 12:00AM

Two representatives of the International Tennis Federation (I.T.F.) visited Samoa Tennis Association at the Apia Park Tennis Court earlier this week.

They were International Tennis Federation Manager of Training Centers and Events, Frank Couraud, and Development Officer for Pacific Oceania, Garry Purcell.

According to Samoa Tennis Junior Development Officer, Yvonne Carruthers, the I.T.F. representatives are here to assess and carry out development visits as well as develop Samoa tennis programmes.

Carruthers stated Samoa Tennis recently applied as a Training Center for the Pacific and that is why I.T.F. representatives are in Samoa.

“The I.T.F. is the main source of help for Oceania Tennis. They are the ones providing gears for tennis programmes here as well as funding.”

“Another importance of their visit is to recognise our island nation as an international arena, especially in the buildup to the Pacific Games and the upcoming Oceania Game that we will be hosting.”

“Purcell is the go to man who we have been working together with in managing the programmes for tennis in the Pacific, in development programmes as well as organising tournaments because he is based in Suva, Fiji.”

Couraud said the objective of their visit is to conduct a development visit before making their way to Auckland where the Annual General Meeting for Oceania Tennis Federation will be held.

“Samoa has very beautiful facility and I think we are going to work very closely with the Samoa Association to find a way to maximise these facilities from national point of view to international point of view, which is international events.”

“We are also going to talk about ways we can approach the International Tennis Federation to help Samoa Tennis develop, more like upgrading this facility. So this will also be part of the discussion we will have with the governing body.”

Couraud is also impressed with passionate people in the Samoa Tennis Association. Those committed in developing the game among the young players as well. 

By Ulimasao Fata 23 March 2018, 12:00AM
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