In the Community

Sol, the leading supplier of petroleum products in the Caribbean, is signalling its commitment to developing the sport of tennis in Barbados. The company, which has operations in 23 territories across the region, recently entered into an agreement with the Barbados Tennis Association to sponsor the Association’s Primary Schools Tennis Programme.

Since 2012, the Barbados Tennis Association, the governing body of tennis in the island, has organised and coordinated the Primary Schools Tennis Programme which was designed to introduce the sport of tennis to students of primary schools and pique their interest in the sport. Every year, participating students benefit from coaching sessions with experienced players from the Association. Participating students also participate in a tournament designed to immerse participants in a real-life competitive tennis environment.

This year, under the Programme, approximately 30 students each from three primary schools – Grantley Prescod Primary School, Blackman Gollop Primary School and Luther Thorne Memorial Primary School – are participating in the Programme. By the conclusion of this year’s Programme, approximately 180 students would have benefitted from the project.

The Barbados Tennis Association, as a non-profit organisation, relies heavily on financial support from both the public and private sectors as well as from its members and various associations with an interest in the development of the sport. Sol’s sponsorship of this year’s Programme comes in the form of a $20,000 contribution to the Barbados Tennis Association. The funds are expected to provide much needed financial support to ensure that the Programme can continue to function and expand its impact among primary school students.

Gina Cummins, Brand, Communications & External Affairs Manager of Sol Caribbean said that Sol is very happy and excited to partner with the Barbados Tennis Association to introduce the game to primary school students and to secure the future of the sport in Barbados.

“The Primary Schools Tennis Programme is a great match for Sol. We consider this partnership with the Barbados Tennis Association to be a Grand Slam for all parties involved, especially in light of our commitment to supporting community-driven projects that support the continued growth and development of sports on the island. We are certainly happy to be a part of the programme this year,” she said.

Margot Thomson, representative of the Barbados Tennis Association, also expressed the organisation’s appreciation of Sol’s sponsorship, and the successful launch of this year’s Programme.

“We, at the Barbados Tennis Association, are very grateful that Sol’s involvement has enabled us to carry on with the Programme. The launch on Wednesday, February 4 was a very exciting day for the children, as the Sol team came to officially show their support of the three schools participating in the Programme,” she said.

This year’s Programme will run from January to June 2015.