By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SEVEN of the country’s top junior players are heading off to Maples, Florida to participate in a college showcase, thanks to their involvement in Island Tennis Bahamas at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.

“We’re proud to see that the kids are growing and their perseverance is starting to pay off for them,” said Philip Major Jr, who along with Kevin Major Jr started the programme to get more young tennis players performing at the next level.

“Kudos to them and we wish them every success for reaching such a milestone in their lives. Hopefully we can have more stuff like this going on in tennis where the players are given a chance to perform in front of the college scouts and coaches.”

Dentry Mortimer, Saphire Ferguson, Leila O’Brien, Khai Rees, Sharano Hanna, Savanno Hanna and Sierra Rodgers are expected to showcase their talent before more than 80 schools as they participate in the event.

They are scheduled to leave town today with Philip and Kevin Major Jr and return home on Friday.

Major Jr thanked president/managing director Audrey Oswell, Russell Miller, executive vice president of hotel operations at the Atlantis resort, for providing the opportunity for Island Tennis Bahamas to call their tennis facility their home where they get the chance to work and groom these young tennis players for the future.

“It’s a beautiful and safe environment where the players get to hone their skills,” Major said. “Atlantis has not only accepted us, but they have developed a bond with the tennis players as they assist us in so many ways.”

Hopefully through this partnership, Major said they anticipate that there will be a lot more players getting the opportunity through Island Tennis Bahamas to follow in the footsteps of these first to go on a college tour through their organiSation.

“These players have been doing a lot of great things. They have put in the hard work and it has shown as they prepare for this moment,” Major Jr said.

“So we’re definitely looking forward to them going to Florida and doing very well.

“They’ve come a long way in the past 4-5 years and so we as coaches can look forward to seeing them get off to college and to continue to perform at their best. We just hope that the trip is a successful one for all of them.”

During the showcase, the players will participate in a series of single and doubles matches in a field of more than 100 players. They will get to demonstrate their level of play in front of the coaches and scouts to be able to secure their athletic scholarships.