More than 100 primary school children were part of the BSL-AOPP Inter-School Tennis Competition.

The three-day tournament concluded with great success on 28 September.

It was another achievement for Tennis Samoa in promoting youth tennis across the nation. Held at the Apia Park Tennis Complex, the three-day event, supported by Business Systems Limited (BSL) and the Australian Open Pacific Pathway (AOPP), brought together over 100 students from Samoa Primary School, Vaiala Beach School, and All Saints Anglican School, all of whom participated in the in-school tennis program led by Tennis Samoa.

Tennis Samoa, under the leadership of its President Yvonne Wilson-Carruthers has been pivotal in growing the sport among primary school children.

The competition was the culmination of months of dedicated work by the organisation which introduced tennis basics to children aged six years to 10 through fun and accessible equipment like mini-nets, small rackets, and soft balls.

Wilson-Carruthers highlighted the significance of this annual event.

“This is one of Tennis Samoa’s biggest and most popular events annually amongst primary schools,” she said.

“Her team worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth execution of the tournament, reflecting Tennis Samoa’s commitment to fostering young talent.

The competition featured boys and girls competing in singles and doubles matches across Year 3, Year 4, and Year 5 categories. The excitement built throughout the event as players showcased their skills, cheered on by enthusiastic supporters.

The efforts of the Tournament Director Yvonne Wilson-Carruthers, coordinators Ihana Letutusa Ropati, Isabella Carruthers-Pase, and a team of Samoa Junior umpires ensured the tournament ran flawlessly, maintaining the high standards that Tennis Samoa is known for.

As families and friends gathered to witness the future stars of Samoan tennis, the tournament was not just a competition but a celebration of community spirit. With the growing success of the BSL-AOPP Inter-School Tennis Competition, Tennis Samoa continues to demonstrate its crucial role in developing the next generation of athletes and nurturing a love for the sport across Samoa.