Racket Blazers Jr Tennis Tournament Results
Grotto Bay Tennis Club hosted their Racket Blazers Junior Tennis Tournament Series over the weekend at Grotto Bay Beach Resort in Bailey’s Bay.
Sponsored by Cedar Aviation Services Ltd., this was the final tournament of the 2015 Racket Blazers Junior Tournament Series, with 42 competitors participating over the two day event.
The competition was organized using the Quick Start tennis format, which utilizes shorter, narrower courts and 3 different balls that have varying levels of compression.
The lower compression balls allow the game to move slower giving kids more time to react. The balls bounce at the children’s height making it easier for them to hit and travel less distance, giving beginner players better and longer rallies.
With the emphasis on fun, the kids compete with players of similar age and skill level in a low pressure environment. This format allows the kids to gain play experience and confidence by rotating and playing multiple opponents in short, continuous matches.
Tournament Director and Grotto Bay Tennis Head Coach Romar Douglas said, ““The Racket Blazers Junior Tennis Tournament Series has completed its second year and is providing a successful competition for beginner and intermediate juniors to test their skills they are learning, and gain confidence as they progress.
“I am delighted to see players from various tennis facilities across the island, and the diversity of talents they showcased. I have observed many competitive matches today and confident that tennis in Bermuda has a bright and exciting future.”
Finalists in the Red Ball category were:
Girls:
- Winner: Airez Gilbert-Simons
- Runner Up: Sienna Taylor
Boys:
- Winner: Sebastian Smith
- Runner Up: AJ Phillips
Boys Consolation:
- Winner: Maximilian Kimberley
- Runner Up: Jackson Taylor
Sportsmanship Award Recipient:
- Mateus Rocha
Finalists in the Orange Ball category were:
Girls:
- Winner: Airez Gilbert-Simons
- Runner Up: Britney Outerbridge
Girls Consolation:
- Winner: Samara Adams
- Runner Up: Kalea Vanputten
Boys:
- Winner: Antonio Warner
- Runner Up: Kallan Richardson
Boys Consolation:
- Winner: Kieran Kimberley
- Runner Up: Brandon Medeiros
Sportsmanship Award
- Recipient: Owen Curley
Trophies and prizes, courtesy of Cedar Aviation Services Ltd., were presented by Managing Director Anthony Richardson and Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association’s Junior Development Office Gavin Manders.
Mr. Richardson stated “Cedar Aviation is delighted to have sponsored the 2015 Racket Blazers Series of Tournaments, hosted at Grotto Bay Tennis Club. We congratulate all the players and are enthusiastic with the quality of play and the consistent increase in participants.
“We encourage them to continue to demonstrate competitive play and good sportsmanship. We look forward to working with Grotto Bay Tennis Club next year with the 2016 series of Racket Blazers Tournaments, and will be adding additional categories of competition.
Grotto Bay Tennis Club said they are “proud to have had the opportunity to partnership with Cedar Aviation Ltd and would like to thank Cedar Aviation and all the volunteers for their help with coordinating this tournament and for their continued support of junior tennis.”
For more information on the Grotto Bay Tennis Club, the Racket Blazers Tournament Series or our other junior and adult tennis programs, please call Romar Douglas at 335- 7000 or email grottobaytennis@gmail.com.
