Walkers renews support for Brac tennis programme

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 30 November 2018

Walkers has again generously rallied in favour of tennis on Cayman Brac, providing funding for the Sister Islands’ children’s tennis programme for 2018, run by the Tennis Federation of the Cayman Islands (TFCI).

“Continuity of funding is really important for programmes like these, their hold on life is tenuous without proper financial backing. We’re really grateful to Walkers for supporting the Brac kids again for a sixth year,” commented Susan Lindsay of the TFCI.

The Walkers programme started in 2012, and led to tennis becoming part of introductory P.E. lessons in the two of the Brac’s primary schools and the high school. Professional tennis player, Neil Fernandez of the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman, has been visiting regularly incorporating his coaching into the schools’ regular sports lessons.

Layman Scott High School’s sports teacher Michael Hundt is a big fan of the programme, commenting, “There is no access to racquet sports on the island other than through this programme with Walkers; we’re really lucky, we value it.”

Supporting Brac kids through tennis: Walkers partners Prasana (left) and Dorothy
Scott with Tennis Federation board members Eliza Harford (centre left) and Aysha
Jackson.

Primary sports teacher Lavender Bryan added, “I’ve learnt a lot of new skills, and so have the kids. We’ve seen a lot of progress.”

Thanks to Walkers’ support over the years, the TFCI has supplied the Brac schools with portable tennis nets, shorter racquets and child-friendly tennis balls, which make the game really easy to pick up for young players. Through Walkers’ funding, the island has also received adult racquets, which have provided the community with the opportunity to play for free on the high school tennis court.

The TFCI is one of numerous local charities and non-profit organisations supported by Walkers in 2018.

“We are pleased to be able to offer school children and the community in Cayman Brac access to this wonderful programme. It is really rewarding to watch keen young tennis players developing their skills while enjoying their time on the courts, thanks to the dedication of the Tennis Federation and their fantastic coaches,” stated Walkers’ Cayman Managing Partner, Tim Buckley.