The Pacific Oceania ITF Development Officer, Darran Wrighton writes that “from November 2015 to August 2016 over 50 boys and 30 girls competed in 8 events held in 5 Nations across the 3 Pacific Regions with 14 Pacific Nations being represented in this circuit. The results are: P14 results
The concept is to match neighbouring Pacific countries up so that they run National 14 and under events that the ITF will financially assist players from neighbouring nations to attend. The players then also get the opportunity to compete in the Regional Championships and then also the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships should they qualify from the Regional Championships.
The events were as follows:
- Event 1 – Tan Holdings Tennis Classic – North Pacific – Saipan – December 2015 – National Event
- Event 2 – Vanuatu Regional Championships – West Pacific – Vanuatu – December 2015 – National Event
- Event 3 – Chamorro Open – North Pacific – Guam – March 2016 – National Event
- Event 4 – Easter Open – West Pacific – Fiji – April 2016 – National Event
- Event 5 – West Pacific Regional Championships – Fiji – May 2016 – Regional Event
- Event 6 – North Pacific Regional Championships – Saipan – June 2016 – Regional Event
- Event 7 – East Pacific Regional Championships – Samoa – August 2016 – Regional Event
- Event 8 – Pacific Oceania Junior Championships – Fiji – August 2016 – Pacific Finals
It is hoped that Nations will continue to build on the success of this circuit and that 12 and under players will enter both the 12’s and the 14’s age groups to increase their competitive opportunities.
At the end of the circuit there are exclusive benefits offered to the # 1 player of the Boy’s and Girl’s circuits as well as the winners of the 14’s POJC event. Top of circuit leaderboard for Boy’s and Girl’s-$500 travel grant to be used during 2016 / 2017
- Winner of POJC Girls 14’s – representing Pacific Oceania in the WTA future stars competition to be held in Singapore. A $1000 travel grant is provided through the OTF and the WTA.
- Winner of POJC Boy’s 14’s – Travel Grant of up to $1000 to attend one of the Pacific Oceania Touring program events in 2017.
In 2017 it is hoped that the Nations of Samoa and American Samoa will also host some national level events for their players to compete in.
Details of the 2016 / 2017 circuit will be sent to all Nations in the near future.”