The ITF Development Officer, Darran Wrighton writes that “The ITF Regional Training Centre in Lautoka, Fiji was the venue for the recent 12 day course hosted by Tennis Fiji.
Tutor’s Chris Pillai from Sri Lanka and ITF Development Officer for Pacific Oceania – Darran Wrighton, welcomed 13 participants from throughout the Pacific. Nations that were represented included Fiji, Vanuatu, Guam, American Samoa and Kiribati. 
Elements of the course that the coaches were assessed upon were the delivery of individual lessons, group sessions, communication skills and the organisation of pupils and appropriate equipment relevant to the ages and abilities of the player.
Lead tutor Chris Pillai commented that the overall understanding of the course content was impressive as was the improvements made by every coach using the tutors suggestions to enhance the delivery of their sessions. Tennis Fiji were able to provide lots of willing junior players who enjoyed the chance to take part in free group and individual sessions from the trainee coaches.
This course was a special reunion for many of the trainee coaches as they had grown up competing against each other in Pacific events or training at the Regional Training Centre prior to residing in the USA on college scholarships and this was the first time that they had seen each other in many years. This course shows a great example of the sense of community that is prevalent in the Pacific with these past players wishing to give back to the nations that had supported them for so many years in their tennis endeavours.
All the coaches felt by the end of the course that they had gained much experience and new found knowledge that could be readily applied to development programs in their part of the Pacific.
This course was made possible due to financial support from Olympic Solidarity and the Pacific region looks forward to seeing a continued increase in tennis participation as a direct result of Pacific coaches being involved in this course. “