The Lae Tennis Club (LTC) has sent an 11 strong Junior Team to represent Lae in the Port Moresby Racquets Club (POMRC) Tennis & Squash Open 2023, held at the POMRC Courts this weekend. President of the Lae Tennis Club Mr. Glenn Cabasug, said the LTC continues to invest in the development of the juniors, not only through local coaching, training and tournaments in Lae, but also through much needed participation in Port Moresby. “This will allow more exposure for our juniors to develop their skills and build their confidence.” He said winning will always be a bonus for the young tennis players, but it is more important that they learn about teamwork, sportsmanship and respect towards other people. The team consists of the following players: 1.Macklyn Meninga (9 yo) 2.Cassandra Thomas (11 yo) 3.Eston Gordon (11 yo) 4.Irene Jose (13 yo) 5.William Thomas (13 yo) 6.John Louie Domalaon (14 yo) 7.Stacy Thomas (15 yo) 8.Christopher Jose (15 yo) 9.Wagivogo Walter (16 yo) 10.Emmanuel Nixon (16 yo) 11.Bianca Bacani (17 yo) They 11 Tennis Juniors will be participating in both junior events U12 Mixed, U14 Mixed, U18 Boys, U18 Girls. Mr. Cabasug explained that the junior team’s participation at this weekend’s tournament was made possible through financing from the club’s accumulated funds, with much need additional assistance from 13 generous sponsors, who include the wider business community in Lae, as well as the Lae Chinese Club and sister club, POMRC. “We would like to thank our sponsors, who have come board for a very worthy cause and have supported financially, provided uniforms and merchandise, food and drinks and assisted with transportation and accommodation.” The President said this support towards the junior development program will allow them to train and have coaching sessions at the LTC for free. “This will be the third time for our young club to send a team of tennis juniors to participate in Port Moresby.” “Our juniors have performed very well in other such past events and two of them, John Louie Damolaon and Cassandra Thomas were selected to represent PNG to the West Pacific Regional Championships in Vanuatu in May this year, further qualifying to represent West Pacific to the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships in Fiji last month.” He thanked all LTC’s partners who continue to support their junior development initiatives to grow Tennis in Lae and provide opportunities and a pathway for children in the code.