04 February 2013 / Categories: Recent Results and Events, 2013 Sunny doubles event in the Bahamas IC DOUBLES WEEK 13th - 19th January 2013 Nassau Bahamas. This was the second occasion this popular event has been held, at the BREEZES HOTEL and TENNIS COMPLEX in NASSAU. The ICs of Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, Great Britain, U S A, Bahamas, and an International team made up from players from several countries took part. Our team was Roy Henderson, Julian Tatum, Nigel Barker. Unfortunately Mark Cox had to drop out just a few days before the event started, as his wife Susie was unwell and was advised not to travel. It was disappointing that we had no ladies prepared to make the trip, so we had to borrow players locally, which enabled us to complete our matches, but we were not strong enough in depth. Our party with Gina Tatum and Janet Barker was only 5, where as the Austrian contingent was 18. It is worth noting that this event will almost certainly happen again in January 2015, and hopefully we will be able to field a full team! Before the event started, the IC of GB and the Austrians spent an afternoon at the excellent Bahamas National Tennis Centre playing with their top juniors. The juniors enjoyed the occasion, they were a terrific group, we also enjoyed the occasion, as we tried to keep up with their hard hitting! Off the court there were various social activities, the highlight being afternoon tea at Government House, with the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes and Lady Foulks. This was a very special occasion, with the Bahamas Police Force Band playing on our arrival, followed by a fashion show which included Miss Bahamas as one of the models. Julian gave an excellent speech about the history of the IC from its beginning to the present, which was very well received. We may not have won the tennis, but we certainly impressed at the IC banquet, where teams are asked to perform some light entertainment! Julian came up with the idea of singing to the theme of Old Macdonald Had a Farm, but with the words being Old Great Britain Had a Team, we had every one in the room joining in, and it proved to be a great success! Various photos can be seen on the IC Website, also the Bahamas IC website, which show what a happy occasion the event was. The results can also be seen, the event was won by the USA who had a large and strong contingent. We would like to thank Kit Spencer and his hard working team, for the terrific job that they did, we were looked after so well and made so very welcome, it was a pleasure to be involved in such a successful event. It was decided we would make the referee for this event Mr Micky Williams an honorary of the IC of GB. He has been a past president of Bahamas LTA, and National over 55 champion. He has been referee at several Davis Cup matches, ITF qualified umpire, and with Kit Spencer, helped to oversee the building of the National Tennis Centre. Finally my thanks to Julian, Nigel, Gina and Janet for all their help and support, we were a small party with a great team spirit. We thought it more important to take part and lose, than not take part at all. Roy Henderson. Captain GB team members play a match against the Bahamas Juniors in preparation for the main event General view of the event in progress Junkanoo dancers perform at Gala Dinner Refereee Mike Williams is made an Hon Member With a BARK BARK here Previous Article Close finish to Autumn meeting at the AELTC Next Article Spring Meeting 17 March 2013 Print 4835