THE seventh staging of the annual Guardian Life Open Girls Tennis Series will be held this weekend at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston, beginning at 9:00 am each day.

At Wednesday’s launch, Glendon Gordon, vice-president of Individual Life Sales at Guardian Life, said he is very elated to once again undertake sponsorship of the junior tennis series in Kingston and St Andrew.

“This is a venture we have been involved in for the past 13 years, and it is a staple on the Guardian Life calendar. The fact is to whom much is given, much is expected. We are part of a large financial group with an extensive and successful history, and we believe it is our duty to give back to the community,” Gordon said.

He said the all-girl tennis series is a venture which is directly aligned with their corporate social responsibility which promotes physical activity and outdoor sports.

“We are also doubly elated that the young ladies are the focus, as we believe tennis is a great traditional sport that should be promoted among the youth. Who knows, maybe this weekend’s winner will be Jamaica’s next Serena Williams,” Gordon added.

The Guardian Life executive urged the young players participating in this tournament to” strive for excellence, it is a sacrifice worth making”.

“Excellence will never let you down. You will always be able to hold your head high, knowing that you did everything you could. Striving for excellence is a sure way to make yourselves stand out.”

Meanwhile, tournament director Llockett McGregor gave an overview of the tournament and said it will engage approximately 50 of the country’s female junior players.

“The girls will be placed in categories based on their ability, including beginners, intermediate and advanced levels. Apart from vying for trophies they will be awarded points at the end of the tournament based on the national junior ranking system,” McGregor said.

He added that the first Guardian Life Open Junior Girls Tennis Championship was held in 2007 and the response was great. “My vision for the introduction of an all-girl tennis tournament seven years ago was a drive to reviving the diminishing number of girls participating in these junior tournaments, and each year they looked forward in competing.”

The young ladies will be awarded points at the end of the tournament based on the national junior ranking system.

The second tournament in the series, the Guardian Life Open Junior Tennis Championship, is scheduled for September 21 – 22, 2013.