KBC Learning Sports has launched Jamaica’s first real tennis academy — the first programme to combine accredited online academic study with certified tennis training.

The KBC Learning Tennis Academy with USPTR coach LLockett McGregor at Liguanea Club launched last Thursday is now accepting students for the September term.

The KBC Learning Tennis Academy is unique to Jamaica and similar to other overseas programmes with one difference — all the academics are online. The curriculum is developed to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) standard providing graduates with a US high school diploma, SAT scores, and good tennis skills, making them eligible for full US college tennis scholarships and local college entrance. Aspiring tennis players can now pursue their tennis and their high school education locally.

“The KBC Learning Tennis Academy is not focused on creating tennis champions,” explains USPTR certified coach McGregor. “We are developing competent and competitive tournament players who, with strong academics, will be eligible to take up the many tennis scholarships for team players, particularly girls, that are available in colleges and universities.”

KBC Learning graduates Siquenia Sinclair and Shantal Blackwood, both high-ranking Jamaica tennis juniors, are now playing on scholarships at Shorter University, Georgia, and Florida A&M, respectively.

At the launch, both players detailed their successful completion of their first year at college, noting their appreciation to KBC Learning.

KBC Learning has been delivering online education since 2003 and is approved by the Ministry of Education as a home school. The KBC Learning Tennis curriculum has been developed to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) standards for admission to Division One and Division Two colleges.

The Tennis Academy will operate in three terms, mirroring traditional schools. Each day students will have four hours of on-line academics at KBC Learning and four hours of tennis with LLockett McGregor and his professional team at Liguanea Club.

“Our graduates have benefited from college admissions and scholarships as a direct result of a combination of academic preparation and sports training managed by KBC Learning,” explained KBC Learning Academic Director Angela Bennett.

“In 2012, five KBC Learning graduates gained access and scholarships to local and overseas colleges. In addition, several current students are working towards gaining college scholarships using sports as a vehicle.”

Each student will have an individual academic learning plan based on identified learning needs. KBC Learning will administer a diagnostic academic assessment and evaluate the results to determine each student’s strengths and weaknesses prior to acceptance and placement with a selected on-line school. Teachers are online, while subject matter experts are available at KBC Learning to guide and monitor students as they work online.

KBC Learning’s association with tennis has grown out of an early partnership with The Scholarship Fund. The programme was developed when KBC Learning occupied space at Tennis Jamaica and offered academic services to some of the country’s outstanding junior players. KBC Learning has also developed strong associations with tennis college coaches in the USA.