BERMUDA'S tennis coaches finished an intense course on the weekend put on by the ATP – the first of its kind to be held in Bermuda.

The course last 61 hours over nine days (January 17-25) and helped local coaches get updated on the latest techniques.

Anthony Jeremiah, the ITF Development Officer for the English speaking Caribbean, told the Mid-Ocean News: "The objective of the Level 1 coaching course is to give the coaches the opportunity to improve their level of coaching by being exposed to the new technology and science of coaching in a revolving game. The ITF together with the Olympic Solidarity continues to encourage member nations to continue with their coaches education programme while encouraging coaches to continue improving their knowledge through the website where a great deal of information is available."

Jeremiah, who was recently in Bermuda, said that at the end of the course the coaches were given a certificate of participation and within two week "they will get their official results of who has been successful".

He added: "The BLTA will then give the coaches a BLTA accreditation from professional, assistant professional and instructor, which is what we are trying to promote with the Federation. Once we have updated coaches we will continue to have well rounded players in the future."

David Lambert, head of the BLTA, said this week: "It was a very successful course and we are working to have a tutor from the ITF come back down again this summer. This course consisted of stroke production drills, how to build programmes for all levels but especially in assisting our juniors and top players so they can prepare to represent Bermuda internationally. It was a very detailed course and the ITF sent one of their top tutors to Bermuda for the fist time. It was work in the classroom and on court.

"We want to thank Government and the Bermuda Olympic Association for helping fund the coast of the course. Also Coolridge Place, who is chairman of the BLTA coaching sub committee, did a lot of work getting it organised. We have been working on getting this for two years – it didn't just happen overnight. I was also pleased to see so many coaches come out for the course. It actually also brought our coaching fraternity in Bermuda together."