FIVE Jamaicans passed the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Level One coaching course that was staged at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre, Picadilly Road in Kingston, recently.

The five of seven Jamaicans who were successful in sitting the course are Tinesta Rowe, Joel Jones, Warrenton Dixon, Allison Watson-Jones and Valencia White.

They were presented with their symbols of certification by Aswad Morgan, president of Tennis Jamaica (TJ), at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre recently.

Conducting the course were ITF Regional Director John Goede, along with Evan Williams, who is a highly qualified Jamaican coach.

From the course, Rowe and Jones were selected to attend the Level Two course to be held in Valencia, Spain, sometime this year. Both obtained the highest pass marks at the Level One course examinations.

Rowe, a former top national player, said the 12-day course was challenging.

“It was not easy as sometimes I felt very nervous during the course, but I stayed focused throughout and was successful,” said the 33-year-old.

“I am, however, very happy to have passed and hoped that I will also be very successful passing the Level Two course in Spain this year,” Rowe added.

She is currently the director of the Russell Tennis Academy (RTA) at the Hillel Academy where she coaches tennis to the students.

Tennis Jamaica president Morgan reiterated his asociation’s mandate to develop the sport at all levels, with coaching education a key plank.

“Tennis Jamaica has a clear mandate to develop the sport of tennis in all areas. If our coaches are not upgraded through certification at the highest level, our players will not develop at the world-class levels we aim to achieve,” he said.

“Our coaches are a key part of this development mix, and Tennis Jamaica will continue to facilitate high level instructive courses to increase our knowledge capacity,” Morgan added.

The Tennis Jamaica head pointed out that he was very pleased with the curriculum, and the perfoirmances of the successful individuals.

“We are very pleased with the quality, intensity and overall subject matter covered at the sessions. Our coaches are more equipped and ready to teach our kids the rudiments of the game to enhance their development to blossom to be a star one day.

“These coaches invested time, worked hard and now they are further empowered professionally and should only gain positively,” Morgan explained.

— GERALD REID