TENNIS Jamaica has announced that long time national tennis director and coach Douglas Burke is leaving the organisation shortly, to pursue personal interests.

Burke has, however, agreed to stay with Tennis Jamaica on a short-term contractual basis, until his successor has been recruited.

Burke, who has been with Tennis Jamaica since 1994, has been a major force in local tennis, as a player, coach and administrator. He played in the Davis Cup competition for the Caribbean and Jamaica, starting in 1987, and was Jamaica’s team captain several times. He led Jamaica from American Zone Three to Zone Two on three separate occasions.

He also played on the ATP Professional Tour from 1984-1991, attaining a top 175 ranking and had memorable victories over Top 50 players. Locally, he has been involved in all aspects of tennis development, including the implementation of the coaching certification programme, junior development and schools’ programmes. He has also tutored many young players who have gone on to do well at universities and on the circuit over the years.

In paying tribute to Burke for his service to tennis in Jamaica, Aubyn Hill, president of Tennis Jamaica, said that Jamaica owes him a debt of gratitude, for his years of loyal service, and pointed to the fact that he has left a rich legacy for the future. He joins the tennis fraternity in wishing Burke success in his future undertakings.

He also pointed out that Tennis Jamaica will take this opportunity in recruiting a successor to Burke, to break new ground. There will be a name change of the position to technical tennis director, and every effort will be made to recruit a dynamic individual to the post.

The technical tennis director will focus on working with tennis organisers, schools, coaches, players and event planners throughout Jamaica, so as to make the public and sponsors more aware of the numerous benefits that can be derived from participating in this sport.

Tennis, he said, should be seen as a lucrative professional destination for players with the necessary talent, and every effort will be made to take this message across Jamaica.