Kyle Gilgeous of West Field Prep School and Ema Vasconcellos of Marian Academy emerged respective winners in the Boy/Girl Guyana Lawn Tennis Association’s (GLTA) Christmas Interschool competition.
Faces of winners; from left Ema Vasconcellos, Kyle Gilgeous, Kemo Prince and Byanka Young
The Red-ball competition held at the National Gymnasium has been ongoing in primary schools for approximately 11 years and saw some 26 players all under the age of 10 years old, competing in a mini version of the sport. Players contested for the eight schools Marian Academy, New Guyana School, St. Margaret’s Primary, St. Pius Primary, Westfield Prep, Winfer Gardens, St. Agnes and Buxton Youth Developers.
The tournament was conducted by National Junior Coordinator Shelly Daly. Round Robin format was used because it is premised on frequency of play as participants get to face multiple opponents to increase the number of matches played to help build confidence and skills.
Some 17 boys competed in the first of four rounds with Gilgeous of Westfield Prep, Allayne Embrack of St. Agnes, Kemo Prince and Justin Leitch both of the Buxton Youth Developers being the final four. Gilgeous and Prince tied with two match wins a piece. However, Gilgeous secured the win because of a better game win/loss percentage.
Vasconcellos warded off 8 other competitors who along with her were vying for the Girls title. The girls had three rounds of matches with Vasconcellos and Sienna Sookram both of Marian Academy, Byanka Young of New Guyana School and Kayesha Harding of St. Margaret’s making it to the final round.
Vasconcellos easily took first place with 3 wins, Young had 2 wins, Harding had 1 win and Sookram did not secure a game. Meanwhile, trophy for Best School was copped by Buxton Youth Developers having satisfied the criteria for enthusiasm, determination and consistency in developing tennis as a sport at their school as well as their participation and performance in the inter school competition.
The next MINISLAM U10 Schools competition for Georgetown will be held on March 16, 2018 at the National Gymnasium.
