Road tennis launched in Ontario

Barbados’ indigenous sport, road tennis, is poised to be a big hit with primary and secondary school children in Ontario, Canada and beyond.

The first steps towards making this a reality were taken when a demonstration was staged for approximately 72 physical education teachers of the York Region District School Board.

The event formed part of Physical Education Professional Development Day and was made possible due to the efforts of Barbadian Errol Griffith, and Ron Kellman, a Barbadian from St. Joseph who is a now resident of Aurora, which is in the York region of Ontario.

There are over 200 primary & secondary schools in that district alone.

Speaking to CBC Sports from Toronto, Barbados’ Consul General Sonia Marville-Carter, who gave opening remarks at the event, said the demonstration was well received.

She was joined virtually by a team from the Barbados Ministry of Sports, including Sports Minister Charles Griffith.

The introduction of road tennis in schools in Canada continues next month with a launch in the Peel region of Toronto on May 18, and plans are in progress to headquarter the Barbados Road Tennis Association of Canada in Aurora.

Additionally, the Consul General to Canada says work has started on the curriculum to fully integrate the sport into the school system, and therefore more coaches will have to be trained to meet the demand.

About The Author