PRESS RELEASE: DR. JUDY MURRAY TO VISIT KENYA

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Photo credit: Daily Express

The Famous Tennis Coach, and former Scottish international player, Dr. Judy Murray, will be in Kenya, on her first private tour of Africa, and will be taking time off to lend her experience to Kenyan coaches at Sadili Oval in Langata on Saturday 10 August 2024.

Judy, who is best known by Kenyans as the parent and coach to 2 world #1’s Andy Murray and Jamie Murray, will be holding 2 free clinics at Sadili Oval on Saturday 10^th August 2024, with a press opportunity in afternoon from 5:00 p.m., at the same venue.

Her program will be as follows:

📅 Saturday 11:00 a.m.: Tennis for large numbers (maximum participation).

📅 Saturday 3:00 p.m.: Training coaches of all levels on how to engage players.

📅 5:00 p.m.: Q & A - Regarding coaching and Judy Story - parenting 2 world #1's in Andy & Jamie Murray.

About Dr. Judy Murray

Judy Murray is a former Scottish international tennis player with 64 national titles to her name. She became Scottish National Coach in 1995, the same year that she became the first woman to pass the Lawn Tennis Association's Performance Coach Award. She initiated the Scottish National Development Schools program targeting 20 kids aged 8 to 11, which ultimately produced four Davis Cup players and one Fed Cup player, including her Grand-Slam-winning sons, Jamie and Andy. In 2011 Judy was appointed Captain of the British Fed Cup and has used this role to grow the profile and numbers in women’s tennis as well as increase and improve the female coach workforce. Judy has developed several initiatives including Miss-Hits – a fun starter tennis program for girls aged 5–8 and Tennis on the Road – a mobile outreach program which takes tennis into areas of Scotland where the sport doesn't exist.

 

About Miss-Hits

This is a global tennis program specifically designed for young girls aged 4-8 years, to introduce them to the sport in a fun and engaging way. It uses creative games and activities to teach basic tennis skills, enhance coordination and build confidence. It aims to make tennis appealing and accessible to young girls from an early age.

To be a part of this valuable event and gain more skills,

Click here to sign up

2016 EA Safari Junior Tennis Camp: Paticipant Experience

The EA Safari Junior Tennis Camp at Sadili Oval Sports Academy is much more than just a sports camp; it’s also a friendship-forming and character-building experience that leaves participants wishing for more at the end of it. The 2016 edition came to a close on Wednesday 18^th August. Here’s what some of the participants had to say about their experiences.

Nina Saitoti, Age: 16, Nairobi – More than just great training

Nina started playing tennis at the age of 13, but until the Smashers Challenge on 14^th August 2016, she had never participated in any tournament. This was her first time at the Safari Junior Tennis camp. This is what she had to say: 

“I came to know of the tennis camp through Sadili’s website of which I’m a regular visitor. The moment I knew it would be happening, I did not hesitate to sign up because I have always wanted to improve my skills in tennis. Before I came, all I pictured was some good tennis training, but I got more than just that.  Everyone I met was warm and very friendly: the campers and staff alike. I also can’t believe how much my skills have improved in such a short time. I used to train in school, but it was not as good as what I got here. Dr. Liz made me realize just how much I didn’t know about tennis. There are so many things I heard from her that I have never heard from any of my coaches before. I hope to get more training here [at Sadili] even after the camp; this is something I will have to discuss with my parents.”

Shana Mao, Age: 11, Arusha – Great experience

Shana has been playing tennis since 2014 and is the current number one tennis player in the Under 12 category in Tanzania.  Just like Nina, this was her first time at the Camp. This is what she had to say:

“The experience at Safari Junior Tennis Camp is one that I will never forget, despite the fact that I was only there for a week. I was the only Tanzanian, but I still had a sense of belonging. The staff members at Sadili are super… I actually thought of all of them as friends. I cannot thank them enough for all the kindness they provided for the campers. I get tennis training in Tanzania but I have never met anyone like Dr. Liz. She has a very keen eye and is quick to point out the little mistakes we make when playing. She always had something new to teach us every day, and I think that’s what makes her unique. I hope to come again next year and experience it all over again.”

John Onyango, Age: 17, Kisumu – Going back home a better player

John has been playing tennis since he was 11 years old. At the age of 12, he participated in the East Africa Safari Junior Tennis Camp for the first time and played for the first time in a tournament: the EA Junior Open, in the U14 category. He was the first runner’s up in the tournament. He also participated in the Kisumu Open series in the same year and won.  He came to this year’s camp on scholarship. This is what he had to say about this years’ camp:

“Since the first time I attended a camp here at Sadili, I have always wanted to be back. When I got information on Facebook that Sadili would be offering scholarships for this year’s edition, I did not hesitate to apply, and I was very excited when I got it. This year’s edition was particularly special because there were separate life skills sessions for campers, something that wasn’t there the last time I came. I get training back at home [in Kisumu], but it’s a lot different from what I got here at Sadili. The training at home is very basic, as we are not taught anything more than how to hit balls back and forth. The camp may not have lasted that long, but I’m happy that I have learnt a great deal from Dr. Liz, Coach Kats and the rest of the players at the camp, and I will be going back home a much better player.”

Wycliffe Okenye, 17, Nairobi – Keeps coming

Wycliffe won this year's Smashers Challenge Cup U18/21 category. He’s been playing tennis since he was 11 and played his first tournament at the age of 12. Here’s his story:

“I have been attending Safari Junior Tennis Camps since I was 12. I consider Sadili my second home because this is where I discovered I could actually play tennis. Tennis camps at Sadili have always been fun and action-packed and this year’s edition was no different. I was more than thrilled when I got a scholarship to come for it because I knew the kind of training I would get. I’m very grateful to Dr. Liz and Coach Kats for the wonderful training they gave us during the camp and I’m looking forward to coming again next year.”

17th Annual East Africa Safari Junior Tennis Camp Kicks off at Sadili Oval Sports Academy

NAIROBI, August 8, 2016- The 17^th edition of the annual East African Safari Junior Tennis Camp kicks off today at Sadili Oval Sports Centre in Lang’ata, Nairobi, with a select 20 talented children and youth aged between 6 and 18 years from the entire East African region including Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The young stars have assembled at the Sports Centre for training and competition that is expected to run until 20^th August 2016.

The Camp this year is proud to host guest coach Mr. Katsuya Otsu, a graduate of the world famous Bolletieri Tennis Academy, professor at the Tokai University’s Department of Sport & Leisure Management and member of the Japan Olympic Academy (JOA). He will spend the second week of the camp working along Kenya’s Dr. Liz Odera and her team. A Tester and Clinician, Liz is currently a member of the PTR International Committee, representing Africa and Provider for Kenya. She was celebrated as a ChangeMakeHer, one of the world’s most influential and inspiring women of 2011 (Ashoka ChangeMaker). Liz is currently taking sport and schooling to world class level by providing a platform for individual talented African athletes to live their dreams, something never before attempted successfully in the region. 

The Safari Junior Tennis Camp also marks the media launch of “Court of Dreams”, a program in which Sadili’s team of coaches, communicators and social educators are engaging a first batch of 640 children in the Kibera Slums in a new partnership with International Inspiration and Comic Relief that will see 2100 children learn tennis, and improve schooling through better hygiene skills. Sadili will also reopen the newly revamped “Court of Dreams” facility at the academy, a facility originally jointly built and named by re-knowned Coach and co-Director of Evolve 9 and Serious Kids Stuff Foundation, Ronald Pothuizen.

Media, friends and partners are invited to visit the camp, which will include the following activities:

8–12 August 2016: Camp Week 1:

9.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. at Sadili Oval Sports Academy

3.00 p.m – 6.00 p.m. at Kibera Tennis & Sport Court in Katwekera, Kibera

Thursday 11 August 2016: 3.00 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.: media and partner visit to Court of Dreams project in Kibera, play paddle tennis at the Court of Dreams at Sadili, followed by refreshments at Sadili Oval.

13–14 August 2016: Smashers Challenge Cup No. 4 Tournament at Karen Country Club, sponsored by RentWorks, for players in U12, U14, U16, U18 and U21. This is a Tennis Africa Cup ranking tournament as well as a qualifying Masters event towards the Champions Bowl Finals (Spain, Oct 2016).

13^th August tournament runs from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

14^th August: Finals at 9.00 a.m. and Prize-giving at 11.00 a.m. followed by refreshments.

15–19 August 2016: Camp Week 2:

3.00 p.m. at Sadili Oval Sports Academy,

3.00 p.m – 6.00 p.m. at Kibera Tennis & Sport Court in Katwekera, Kibera

Tuesday 16^th August: 3.00 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.: media and partner visit to Court of Dreams project in Kibera, play paddle tennis at Court of Dreams at Sadili, followed by refreshments at Sadili Oval.

19–21 August 2016: East Africa Junior Tennis Open at Sadili Oval Sports Academy sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods. Singles and doubles tournament for U6 to U18 boys and girls, this event will bring together more than 150 kids competing at various levels.  Prize-giving will take place on Saturday 20 August at 2.00 p.m., followed by refreshments.

EA Safari Junior Tennis Camp Comes To A Close

The 14th annual  East Africa Safari Junior Tennis came to a close on Sunday 18th August 2013 after 14 days of quality learning under some of Africa's best professionals: 1. Mr. John Kasule, PTR Professional, Clinician and Tester, and Administrator of the Uganda Lawn Tennis Association, 2. Katsuya Otsu, Professor at Department of Sport & Leisure Management School of Physical Education at Tokai University Japan and a member of the Japan Olympic Committee and Global Sports Alliance, 3. Dr. Liz Odera, International Tennis Professional, PTR Clinician and Tester, as well as camp director. The Camp Coordinator was Rehema Akinyi, under whom the camp and tournament program was managed, with a program that included Training at Sadili Oval, Smashers Challenge Tournament at Karen Country Club, Second Training at Sadili Oval, and the East Africa Junior Open at Sadili Oval.

Players who attended include Uganda’s rising stars, Frank Tayebwa, Saidat Kemugisha, Boris Aguma and Winnie Birungi, while Burundi was well represented by little-known rising star in the girls under 12s, Hoziane Kitambala. Malezi School tennis team, the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association's Boys Champions Henry Ayesiga, John Lutaays, Jamin Luvembe and Girls Doubles Champions Melissa Brown and Chizi Mutsumi also used the camp for preparation to the East Africa School Games that will be held in Lira, Uganda soon. Tennis has been included for the first time, and competition is expected to be tough.

A brainchild of International Tennis Professionals and managed by Sadili Oval Sports Academy since its inception 14 years ago, this camp remains the most prestigious event in the tennis calendar in the region, and continues to attract large numbers of talented junior players between 6 and 18 years, from USA, Africa and Europe, to train and also compete in the East African Junior Tennis Open that marks the end of each camp, annually. Professional coaches who have attended the camp in the past include Coach Bill Murray (former coach of Venus and Serena Williams), Greg Moran, top coach and celebrated writer, and Paul Holbach, Coach of Lindsay Davenport. The camp is sponsored by Professional Tennis Registry, NJTL, Sadili Oval, Global Sports Alliance, Oncourt Offcourt and Sarova Hotels.

The event also marks a well-supported one-year Star Search, that is taking place around the East African region, beginning in Nairobi during the Junior Camp in December, then followed by Mombasa, and running through Kisumu, Kampala, Bujumbura, Kigali, Arusha, before completing its journey back in Nairobi in November. Products of this camp include Amadi Kagoma, Maurice Wamukowa, Rahab Mbugua, Joab Odera, Aziza Butoyi, Terry Odera  and Amadi Kagoma (all currently based in USA).

In an interview at the camp, Dr. Liz Odera said, "We have successfully produced two decades of great junior tennis players, and its time to begin a new cycle of stars who perform well, in both school and tennis. Arrangements have been concluded to make this even better with new programs coming up to make this possible with the expansion of the Sadili Africa Talent Training Academy, which includes international learning support and expanded schooling partnerships".

Sadili Tennis Academy: Karen Club Alight With 4th Smashers Challenge Cup

Sadili Tennis Academy: Karen Club Alight With 4th Smashers Challenge Cup: Saidat Kemigisha Karen Country Club tennis courts lit up with year's 4th Smashers Challenge Cup,  on the 10th August. The tournamen...