When my husband and I were new new new newlyweds, he took a job as the Tennis Pro at Cap Juluca Resort on the tiny Caribbean island of Anguilla. Mind you, we’d never heard of Anguilla before his company told us they were sending us there. We had to look it up on a map, and even when we did locate it on the map, we had to squint to see it. Anguilla has an area of just 35 square miles and a population of 15,000.
We arrived on this small strip of land (ages 24 and 21 at the time) in the middle of turquoise sea with nothing but duffle bags full of clothing. We moved into the house the resort provided — it had lots of space but no dishwasher, no air conditioning, and no washer/dryer — and made ourselves at home there for the next three years.
Here we are on Cap Juluca’s stunning beach shortly after arriving in Anguilla. I’m smiling at our high-waisted, pleated shorts and my husband’s big glasses.
A few local teenage boys worked for His Highness at Cap Juluca’s tennis pro shop. Two of them, Shawn and Mitch, loved tennis and had lots of natural physical ability. What they hadn’t had: easy access to tennis courts, lessons from teaching pros, or many opportunities to compete. His Highness, who’d grown up with all those advantages and played college tennis, began to train them.
L to R: Shawn and Mitch eating Thanksgiving dinner at our house.
After a few years of hard work, their tennis improved. Thanks to the generosity of resort guests who had contacts with universities in the States, and thanks to some very inventively flattering video footage of the boys playing, Shawn and Mitch both secured tennis scholarships to small colleges in the U.S.
His Highness and I moved away from Anguilla when the boys were freshmen. But Mitch returned to Anguilla during his college summers. He was so grateful for the opportunities that tennis had given him, that he wanted to provide those same opportunities to younger Anguillan kids. He decided to organize a summer camp. He held the first camp in 1996 and named it the Anguilla Tennis Academy (ATA). It started small on courts provided by the resorts.
His Highness kept in touch with Mitch as a mentor and adviser on all things tennis. In the summer of 2001, Mitch invited us back to the island to teach the kids during their final week of summer camp. By then we’d settled in Dallas. We told him we’d love to come and brought our seven month old baby with us.
This baby is now an 8th grader. I can’t convince her to wear seersucker onesies and hats anymore.
Chris with the kids on our 2001 trip. Notice the boy on the left with the green design on the back of his shirt? That’s Vallan, who grew up and went to work full time for the Anguilla Tennis Academy.
His Highness loved coaching the kids and we both loved returning to Anguilla. But we discovered that making the international trip with an itty bitty wasn’t for the faint of heart. Our infant didn’t love the 12 hours of travel to reach the island. Her sleep schedule jumped the tracks. And it was hard to entertain a baby all day without her ‘gear’. His Highness and I decided that we’d revisit Anguilla as many times as Mitch invited us, but that we’d leave our little ones at home.
Since that first trip in 2001, we’ve been back ten times! We’ve only missed when we had babies too small to leave for a week. Now our babies are so big that they’ve started giving us a hard time about our ‘parents only’ trips to the Caribbean. We’ve promised them we’ll take them next year.
It’s been astonishing to watch how the program has grown. During the early years, they expanded to offer after-school tennis all year long. They raised money and in 2008 opened a beautiful six-court public tennis facility. Many times, teenage players have come to Dallas to train at my husband’s club. Students of the academy have grown up to teach guests at the resorts as well as local kids and adults at the public courts. Two girls from the ATA are currently playing tennis for schools in the States!
The group of tennis players who volunteered their time to teach the kids at this year’s camp. Do you see the tall guy in the orange shirt? That’s Vallan (the boy from the photo above).
And all this, because Mitch had an idea and matched his idea with dedication. It hasn’t been easy! But then, good things, things that matter, things that make a difference, rarely are. Amen? It’s been challenging to raise the money to fund the programs and make payments on the facility. But Mitch has managed to oversee the ATA and keep it going for almost twenty years now, despite that he has a full-time job and a family of his own.
Here’s a recent picture of Mitch, holding the torch for the Commonwealth Games.
The best aspect of our longtime association with Anguilla? Seeing the positive impact that tennis has had on the lives of kids. His Highness impacted Mitch. Mitch continues to impact dozens of kids, including Vallan. Vallan’s busy impacting dozens more. And so on.
Some of the ATA players have gone on to tennis scholarships or tennis professions, yes. But many, many more came out of the program better for the lessons they learned about sportsmanship, hard work, and character. Those kids have grown up to become valuable members of the community.
If you have a moment, here’s a sweet and inspirational video about one of the girls who’s currently at college because of the ATA…
[vimeo 48838929 w=500 h=281]
ATA 2012 T Bar M from Caribbean Digital Productions on Vimeo.
ATA’s facebook page.
Did you play a sport growing up? Did your kids? Did it have a positive influence on your character or theirs?
I’m going to send a signed copy of my latest book, Meant to Be Mine, to one commenter who lives in the USA. To enter, simply leave a comment and include your email address so that I can contact you if you win. I’ll randomly draw a winner on Monday!
Becky Wade
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I love reading your books thanks for a chance to win this book
Thank you, sweet Martha!
Oh mercy, that video has me all teary eyed now. How totally inspirational!!! Love how she said the doors opens and she’s running through them! This whole post is an example of how we can touch individual lives with no idea of the far reaching effects. (hope that makes sense)
Don’t enter me in the draw because (a) I have the book — loved it! and (b) I’m in Canada.
Kav, I love my Canadian readers! And the video makes me teary, too! And I agree with you 100%. This story really is a story of how we all have the power to touch lives.
To be honest, I’m sometimes overwhelmed by the magnitude of the help that’s needed in the world. I forget what I *can* do, which is extend help to those who are around me.
What a beautiful story! The video brought tears to my eyes. I am a teacher, and it thrills my heart to see God move like this for children. I was not an athlete, but being in the public school system, I have seen what a positive impact that sports can play in a young life. This reminds me of a young lady that worked at my school with physically challenged students. She told the story of how when she was in middle school and was making some poor behavior choices, her basketball coach, who is a friend of mine, sat her down and had a talk with her about her future. She relates that that conversation turned her life around. I pray that God will continue to bless this program. Thank you for sharing this story.
I forgot my email address. donvelma@gmail.com
Please enter me in the drawing. I forgot my email address on my previous post
donvelma@gmail.com
Velma, God bless teachers! We have lots of teachers in our family — my dad, my sister, my mother in law. I’ll definitely enter you in the giveaway. 🙂
How inspirational that story was to read! It’s so neat to see the results of hard work passed down through generations and continued on. It makes me feel so small. A speaker once said the reason we won’t get our rewards in Heaven right away is because things we do in His name here on earth can go on through several generations.
It truly is amazing, the way that God can use people to influence the generations that come behind, isn’t it? I often think about my grandparents and the powerful effect that had on me. They were the people they were because of THEIR parents and THEIR parents.
So good to see you here, Gail! Thanks for stopping by.
I played softball growing up. I would love to win Meant to be Mine. Thanks for the giveaway. Great article!
I played some softball in middle school, Alice! Thoroughly enjoyed it. In high school, I went the cheerleader route.
What an amazing story! I hope you and His Highness are able to return there for many years to come.
Thanks, Kandi! I hope so, too.
Thanks so much for the awesome giveaway! I love all of your books!
Thank you, Lakenya joy!
I think this is a great story. In a world where we so often only hear the negative, it is wonderful about people making a positive difference in others lives. Thanks for sharing it. Ellen Gray steveandellengray@yahoo.com
You’re welcome! We do often hear the negative, yet there are so many, many people giving on themselves for the sake of others. God’s at work!
What a cool story. 🙂 I was more musical than sporty when I was growing up, but my 7 siblings and I spent hours playing soccer, basketball, and our own invented games. Thanks for the giveaway!
writer_weaverATyahooDOTcom
Seven siblings!?! Wow! Sounds like you had your own sports team ready-made.
What a wonderful project, Becky! God has obviously blessed those early efforts and turned it into a way to affect hundreds of lives for the better. Fabulous!
My son, Wyatt, plays tennis and will be a freshman in high school this year. He’ll be playing on the JV squad. I played one year in high school (WAY back in the day) and have always loved the sport. I don’t really play anymore, but I watch all of the grand slam events on television. It’s been fun to watch Wyatt get involved with the sport. I love going to his matches and cheering him on.
My 10 year old son is also into tennis! I’m hoping he stays with it because like you, I’d love to watch his matches and cheer him on. You should take tennis back up! I play on a women’s doubles team and thoroughly enjoy it.
What a great story! I was not athletically inclined and did not come from athletes! But my son (at 5) started showing talent at 2 with kicking a ball hard and straight and accurately! It’ll be fun to see if that turns into something!
Sounds like you have a soccer star in the making, Andrea!
I didn’t play sports when I was younger. My athletic ability is non-existant. My daughter inherited my athleticism, but my son played baseball and football.
Thank you for a chance to win a copy of this book.
susanmsj at msn dot com
The good news for those of us who have non-existent athletic ability? Reading doesn’t require athleticism. 🙂
I learned to swim at an early age and went on to swim team with the YMCA. I didn’t always enjoy it at the time, but now I do like to swim.
tlw131 [at] gmail [dot] com
All of my nieces and nephews are summertime swim team swimmers! Swimming is GREAT exercise. I’m in okay shape, but can barely make it the length of the pool.
What an inspirational story. As a child I spent my summers at the pool, just imagine having all that beautiful water to swim in the Caribbean. I did the swim team & later helped with the team & was a Life Guard. Wonderful post!
The water in the Caribbean is so incredibly beautiful! Even after numerous trips to Anguilla, I still can’t get over it.
Forgot to add my addy… d_stevens310 at live.com Great post wish my days at the pool had been so life altering to some of the young ones I worked with 🙂
I played volleyball in HS. At a small Christian school everyone was encouraged and needed to participate to have a team, so all 5 feet of me even got to play once in a while=) Love your books, thanks for the chance to win!
My daughter has played some volleyball in recent years. As a parent, it was one of my favorite sports. The games were quick, fun to watch, fast-paced, and always indoors in the air conditioning.
I played tennis as a kid and really enjoyed it! Wish I’d never given it up. Beautiful post Becky, and thanks for the giveaway
Another tennis player!
I played volleyball growing up. It is still my favorite sport. My oldest son played basketball for the first time last year and li, ed it. Love your books! Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth Gillihan
rbgillihan@gmail.com
You’re very welcome! Thanks for stopping by and entering, Beth.
I have never been very athletic but I feel that adults can have such positive influences on young people in all aspects of their Freeing up. I had a wonderful Sunday School teacher and I am trying to be the same for my teenage class.
Your husband is to be admired!!
Blessings to you both.
Connie Saunders
cps1950@gmail.com
Sorry, auto correct kicked in.
I can remember Sunday School teachers who had a huge impact on my life. God bless you for reaching out to kids in that way, Connie!
Such an inspirational story! My family was always more academic than athletic, so we were never into sports. But we did spend years competing on Bible quiz teams, and that did teach us dedication and sportsmanship. lifeofaspice (at) gmail.com
Bible quiz! Is that the same thing as ‘Bible drill’? I’m guessing not. ‘Bible quiz teams’ sound like teams that compete against other teams re: Bible knowledge. What a wonderful thing to be a part of!
It is so neat reading you and your husband’s story. The impact your husband had has had a ripple affect. It’s a reminder to me that our witness for Chris should also have a ripple affect.
I played a little bit of volleyball. Unfortunately sports and I don’t get along very well. I am the most uncoordinated person on the planet! *sigh with a giggle*
I’m not sure why it’s not showing my entire comment.
Thank you so much for this opportunity.
Stephanie C.
grumpysmurf817(at)yahoo(dot)com
“The impact your husband had has had a ripple affect. It’s a reminder to me that our witness for Chris should also have a ripple affect.” Exactly! It’s really amazing what can God can do with our efforts.
I loved this post. What a great thing you all started! So great it is continuing! I played softball for our church, so for fun. But I loved it.
I asked readers on my facebook page what sport they’d played and several answered softball. I played for a few seasons myself in middle school and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Wonderful post, Becky! How amazing that one person can touch lives, and those people in turn reach others—WOW! Your post today demonstrates how powerful and far-reaching human interaction is. 🙂
I’ve never been super athletic, but always enjoyed music activities (piano, band, etc.) and being on a dance team in high school and college. Oh, how I wish I could still do those leg kicks and splits, LOL. 😉
I can’t even contemplate a split these days, Patti Jo! And I never was the least bit musical. I’m a huge admirer of those who do have musical ability — who can sing, play instruments, write music.
Enjoyed the story and the photos! No sports for me, I was and still am a crafty person. Thanks for the drawing.
Pam M
Morningstar_kc@yahoo.com
Are you a frequent visitor to JoAnn’s, Pam? I have their app on my phone so I always have a coupon with me. I’m in there every month or two, usually for crafts for my 13 year old. 🙂
Our son was a gymnast as a child. He was passionate about his sport and gymnastics took him to college where he competed at level 1.
After college he got on with his “career”. He hated it and went back to his passion, this time coaching developing athletes.
He says, ” Loving what you do is better then just making money.”
Thanks for this neat story.
Ottenhoffs@gmail.com.com
I’m so impressed, Jen! Level 1 college gymnastics is a great achievement. I agree with his ” Loving what you do is better then just making money” philosophy. It’s how I feel about my writing. 🙂
I’m glad you choose to write.
My only son out of 4 children turns 34 this Nov. And he played baseball from age 5-14. My husband coached his team the entire time and they always did very well. We all have such fond memories of our time spent at the baseball park, even the girls. My son is now a Praise and Worship Pastor in mountains of AZ!!
My husband has put in his fair share of coaching hours, too! Coaching is a wonderful way to make a difference in the lives of kids.
I tried to play sports growing but they just weren’t my thing. I was the artsy girl. That’s where I received my inspiration.
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
The Artsy Girl sounds like a really cute title for something. A blog? A novel?
I didn’t do sports until I hit Middle School – I saw a signup sheet for basketball tryouts and I said why not! I made the team much to my parents surprise and played in high school for a few years too. Spring was track season – shotput
My kiddos play basketball and I am on the board of our church league. But their hearts are in other sports – baseball for my son and field hockey for my daughter. Both have fantastic coaches that just encourage all the values I hold dear!
Hi, Kim! I always enjoy seeing facebook pics of your kids playing sports. Cuties!
I really enjoyed reading about you and your Highness as newlyweds. That had to be an amazing time for both of you. Your husband’s investment will continue to go on and on. Thank you for the opportunity to win one of your new books.
You’re welcome, Faith! We remember our years in Anguilla so fondly. It turned out to be a great way to start our marriage. We didn’t have friends or family to turn to when we got in a disagreement. We only had each other. 🙂
What a great story! Loved reading this. I’m horrible at tennis. I played basketball and ran track in highschool. So nice to hear good news! Thanks for sharing. ewe_r_merritt(at)yahoo.com
I totally enjoyed this story. Thanks so much for sharing good news. I played bball and ran track. I put up a comment, but nothing happened so trying again. Ewe_r_merritt(at) yahoo/.com
Our site has been experiencing a lag before it displays comments, Rach. I’ve noticed it today, too. We’re looking into it to see what we can do to fix it. Thanks for stopping by and entering my giveaway!
I loved your story, Becky……so inspiring! Blessings on you and your husband for the work you do!!
No tennis players in my family……grandson has done a little of it!!
Would love to be entered for your book!
Thanks.
jacsmi75 at gmail dot com
Like Rach, I am having trouble commenting…..trying again:
I loved your story, Becky……so inspiring! Blessings on you and your husband for the work you do!!
No tennis players in my family……grandson has done a little of it!!
Would love to be entered for your book!
Thanks.
jacsmi75 at gmail dot com
Thanks, Jackie! Thanks for hanging in there and commenting again.
What a neat story. How encouraging to be able to see the fruit of your labors!
I was on the JV volleyball team my freshman year of high school. I played on church league teams, also. That is my only sport.
kathae at jacobfam dot net
It’s been neat to see that so many of you played through church leagues!
Such a wonderful story, Becky, thank you for the post and the video!! And thanks for the part you and your husband played in this story and the many advantages and positive influence of character it has provided so many children since then!!
I was never very coordinated and therefore unsuccessful in sports, however, my son was involved in just about every sport there was for many years until my granddaughter arrived – she is now involved in every sport possible and her parents both support, volunteer, and coach whenever possible. So – I guess I was involved in sports in a way, but as a supporter and spectator rather than a player. Playing football changed my son’s life – he was always a foot taller and much larger than other kids his age (he is now 6 ‘6″ and his daughter is 5’10” at 13 years of age) and lacking in self-confidence until he started playing football.
Judging from your comments, you may have grown up around church bible drills. I placed second in a state bible drill – with a broken collarbone, broken – ironically, during sports in junior high P.E.!!
That’s neat to hear that your son gained confidence playing football! It’s great to see kids surprise themselves with their potential and their talent at something they hadn’t realized they were gifted in. And look at you — Miss 2nd place in Bible Drill!
P.S. Forgot the addy: bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Post shared!!
Oh Becky! I was so emotional as I read your Post!
What an inspiration you and your husband are to these young people, who are now carrying on your great work, giving such a wonderful opportunity to others to achieve their dreams…Not just in the tennis world but in anything they choose. The set of values that they have gained will help them throughout life!
My husband and I spend each Saturday watching our young Grandsons playing tennis matches for school and our State. They love it and so do we.:) You maybe sure after reading your INSPIRATIONAL post we will continue to encourage them and I am going to show them your Post too!
Such a fine example of truly Christian and caring people. You have totally endeared yourself to your “tennis family” and OURS, dear lady!
Blessings
Rosie
How nice to know that your family is a tennis family, Rosie! All my best wishes to your grandsons. No doubt they’ve excelled (in part) because of the sweet support of their grandparents. How well I remember the way that my grandparents cheered me on. I’ll never forget it!
Loved the story about ATA. It was such a blessing to be there with you and see firsthand the caring, dedication, hard work, mentor ship, and Changed lives that are a result of this program. God’s handiwork exemplified!
Thank you, Cindy! It was a blessing to be there with you this trip.
Wonderful and inspiring story Becky. And what a blessing to see how the investment of time and care has been passed on in such a huge way. Thanks for sharing!
I was hopeless at anything involving teams, or a ball. Track and field, I did all right in that. I’ve always been one to compete with myself.
But I did have a dedicated and inspiring art teacher who helped me get a partial scholarship to a local art college. That was my passion until writing surged to the fore.
So cool to hear about the teacher who helped you with your scholarship! My dad was a high school art teacher his whole career. 🙂
It’s wonderful that you can see the results of your dedication – so encouraging!
Living on a dairy farm over ten miles from school meant after-school activities (which fell right during chore time) were not an option until we could drive ourselves, so no sports for us. However, my siblings and I were all in band (during school) and knowledge bowl (before school). Like in sports, they teach teamwork, discipline, and thinking quickly.
rdalquis(at)css(dot)edu
Absolutely! Band and knowledge bowl sound like great things to be a part of. Thanks for coming by, Rachael!
Such an inspiring post, Becky. Thanks for sharing! And boy, do I understand flying with a baby such a long distance. When my oldest granddaughter was five months old, her mother and I flew to Tokyo, then Okinawa. Long haul.
Those plane flights were some of the longest I can ever remember! Whenever I see moms with babies on planes, I’m filled with empathy.
Greetings from Anguilla Becky! What a joy to read your story! Mitch and the ATA have impacted our lives immeasurably through both the sport of tennis which my son, Benajah, and I love to play and through the inspiration and support Mitch has given to our daughter’s non-profit the Arijah Children’s Foundation through which we serve Anguilla’s disabled children.
So happy to see you included my thankful photo in your post. We are so truly grateful to have you and Chris and the other visiting coaches invest in the lives of our children…we sure to appreciate ya’ll 🙂
I’m sharing your post on our Arijah Children’s Foundation facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10152164894106266&id=146944922037875
Hope you’ll visit and like us 🙂
Looking forward to seeing you and Chris on your next visit.
God bless you,
Renuka
God bless you and the wonderful work you do, Renuka!
Many thanks to everyone who commented on my post and entered my giveaway for Meant to Be Mine! The lucky winner is :::drum roll::: Connie! Congratulations, Connie. I hope you enjoy Ty and Celia’s story.