The 38th CATCH National Junior Tennis Championships opened on Saturday March 28th at the National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua. CATCH, celebrating its 50th year as a national brand, has backed the tournament for 38 consecutive years, making it one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most enduring sport sponsorships.
The championships serve as the country’s primary development platform for junior players, under 18. For many of Trinidad and Tobago’s top-ranked players, this tournament was where they first built their ranking points and earned the right to compete regionally and internationally. Those who aspire to represent the red, white and black abroad must first test themselves on these courts.
CATCH’s investment extends beyond the Nationals. The brand also supports the Catch Grand Prix Tournament series, which includes three internationally sanctioned events hosted locally: the ITF U-18 Trinity Cup, the COTECC U-14 Trinity Cup, and the SR4 U-12 Trinity Cup. Together, these competitions have positioned Trinidad and Tobago as a credible stop on the regional tennis circuit and sharpened the standard for local players. But this exposure does not benefit players alone; it elevates officials, facilities and the country’s sporting reputation.
Hayden Mitchell, the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Tennis Association described CATCH not simply as a sponsor, but as a co-developer of the sport. He shared, “Both CATCH and the Tennis Association continuously strive to add value to each other. We are very happy to see this partnership has now developed into the CATCH Easter Grand Prix with local, regional and international tournaments.”
As it celebrates its 50th year, CATCH has committed to expanding the Learn to Play initiative to bring more young people into structured tennis programmes — aiming to widen access, grow the talent pool, and raise the competitive standard for future editions of the tournament.
The CATCH National Junior Tennis Championships runs through April 2nd at the National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua. Admission is free and the public is welcome.