SEA (Service, Evangelism, Assistance) Mission has spent the past 20-plus years making annual trips to the Bahamas, and this year, they brought some tennis gear with them.

As part of the organization’s 2019 Vacation Bible School mission at St. Jude’s Anglican Church in Taino Beach in June, it hosted a four-day youth sports camp that featured sports like tennis, soccer, and football. All teams were lead by volunteers from the Orchard Community Churches of Lake City and Live Oak, Florida.

98 children participated in the activities, with 14 between the ages of 6 and 15 taking part in the tennis camp. The Lake City Columbia Community Tennis Association provided a Net Generation bag of tennis equipment for SEA Mission’s event.

Thank you United States Tennis Association, for the equipment use and allowing us this great opportunity for the kids in the Bahamas.

Posted by SEA Mission Bahamas on Wednesday, June 26, 2019

A portable tennis net and tape extension were raised each morning in a parking lot of the local park. Most of the kids participating in the tennis camp had no experience with the sport. Each day, the children focused on a fundamental objective to encourage their participation:

Day 1: I will set my goal
Day 2: I will work hard
Day 3: I will choose to be unstoppable
Day 4: I will trust my training

During the four-day camp, volunteer instructors focused on teaching the kids the basics of tennis. They devoted their time to developing forehand and backhand stroke skills, as well as guiding them on serving, volleying, and split step. The children also learned how to use their rackets through demonstrations, took part in hand-eye coordination drills, and participated in some rallies and games of Caterpillar.

Despite the camp only being a few days long, a number of the kids involved in the tennis camp showed interest in continuing to develop their skills.

Tennis instructors included Mike Null and Laura Null, assisted by Cheryl Williams, Kyler Gilmore, Sandy Weldon, and Tom Williams.

Top