Tennis Jamaica resumes all-island high school championships
TENNIS Jamaica is set to bring back its marquee high school tennis competition by resuming the staging of the All-Island High School Tennis Championships.
The tournament, a staple on the Tennis Jamaica calendar, was cancelled for the last two years due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, its return in 2022 will look to recapture the same enthusiasm as in past years, with participation from schools across the island.
This year’s tournament will run from November 22 to 24, with the official opening ceremony scheduled for the first day of play at noon. Matches will begin at 9:00 am each day and will feature players competing in the Under-14, Under-16, and Under-19 categories. The tournament will officially end with a closing ceremony scheduled for Thursday, November 24th at 2:00 pm during which winners will be awarded with medals and trophies for their respective schools.
President of Tennis Jamaica John Azar is eager to get the high school tennis programme back on track.
“We at Tennis Jamaica are super excited about this event and, from a personal perspective, it is certainly one of the events on the calendar that I enjoy watching as the team environment certainly seems to bring out the best in players and fans alike. Many of our top stars have come through this tournament in years past and we are looking forward to a competitive and fiercely contested few days, alongside great sportsmanship and camaraderie.
“Tennis Jamaica will continue to promote the sport we love through schools and we look forward to even bigger and better things ahead,” he said.
At the last staging in November 2019 winners included Wolmer’s in the Boys Under-19 and Campion College in the Boys’ Under-16 and Under-14, while Immaculate were winners in the Girls’ Under-19 and Under-14 as Montego Bay High took the trophy for the Girls Under-16 category.
The tournament for 2022, which will be held at Tennis Jamaica’s headquarters at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre, will host 17 high schools across the island, fielding 41 combined teams in singles and doubles and approximately 250 participants.
