DEVELOPMENT
An ITF Play Tennis course
was held on the island of
Rarotonga in March
Above The JTI is
proving hugely
beneficial to
Tennis Samoa
With a combined population of just
over 17,000, 15 islands comprise the
Cook Islands with the largest and most
populated being Rarotonga, which is
where most tennis activity occurs.
Malcolm Kager has been coaching in
Rarotonga for more than 30 years and
he oversees the entire operation there.
With the help of Jason Pierre and a
very supportive committee, he delivers
sessions to over 800 young players in
primary schools who then filter into the
national programme.
Under the stewardship of newly-
elected Tennis Cook Islands president
Davina Hosking-Ashford, there is some
amazingly proactive work being done to
promote and develop the game across
seven other islands – Aitutaki, Atiu,
Mauke, Mangaia, Mitiaro, Pukapuka and
Manihiki.
As part of this, local development
officers have been taking ITF tennis
equipment to these islands from
Rarotonga and then distributing it
to schoolteachers so they can begin
coaching youngsters.
Earlier this year, I delivered an ITF Play
Tennis course for coaches in Cook Islands.
Some of the participants were from the
seven islands and this enabled them to
return home with enhanced knowledge of
delivering sessions to young players.
To close the year, the Cook Islands
Games – a mini Olympics – were held
in October, at which a tennis event
showcased the sport's increasing
popularity. In total, 230 players across
multiple events, including men's, women's
and junior draws, took part.
COOK ISLANDS
SAMOA
Tennis development in the east Pacific island is
driven by Tennis Samoa, under the stewardship
of president Raymond Schuster, and the
Carruthers family.
Yvonne Carruthers and her daughter Steffi,
a former professional who is now transitioning
into a coaching career, play a pivotal role and
there is some tremendous work being done.
While there are perhaps only a couple of
hundred regular players in Samoa, the JTI is
working well and reaching more than 1000
children, with those sessions and competitions
being delivered in 10 schools across the island.
Like with other places in the region, the
goal for Samoa, which has a population of
195,000, is to continue attracting interested
players and see them thrive in club and national
programmes.
Reflecting the growing popularity of tennis
among youngsters in Samoa, a series of national
tournaments, including boys' and girls' events in
the 12-and-under, 14-and-under and 16-and-
under age category, have been staged at the
National Training Centre in Apia in recent
months.
Pukakuka
Nassau
Suwarrow
NORTHERN
GROUP
SOUTHERN
GROUP
Manihiki
Rakahanga
Penrhyn
Palmerston
Aitutaki
Manuae
Takutea
Atui
Mitiaro
Mauke
Mangaia
Rarotonga
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