YOUNG students at Mannings Hill Primary School in St Andrew have just completed their participation in the National Commercial Bank Foundation’s (NCBF)-sponsored Play & Stay Tennis programme, which their coach says has given them a firm grasp, not just on their tennis racquets, but on some basic life-skills.

With coach Evan Williams, Tennis Jamaica’s Play & Stay expert at the helm, the programme ran smoothly and the children made steady progress. At the end of term, some of the outstanding young tennis “stars” spotted during the programme were thrilled to receive medals during prize-giving.

Coach Williams and his assistants are keen to impress upon the youngsters at Mannings Hill Primary, and wherever they coach, that the programme isn’t just about tennis: the sport demands self-discipline, concentration and fair play — character-building attributes that are so necessary to do well both on the tennis court and in life.

The school’s administration has given its support to the programme and is truly thankful to the NCB Foundation, as without their kind sponsorship Play & Stay Tennis would not have been possible for Mannings Hill, been met with such enthusiasm, or proven so successful.

Mannings Hill Primary administrators say they are hopeful that the NCB Foundation will continue its support and sponsorship of Play & Stay Tennis so that the firm foundation laid by Tennis Jamaica, the good work of the organisation and the effort put into the programme by the tennis body, the children and staff at the school can move forward and hopefully, become a permanent feature in the school’s sporting curriculum.