Anguilla Tennis Academy

MY ATA TENNIS JOURNEY - REYNAH LICO

Every journey has a beginning, just like every match starts with a serve. Mine began at the ripe age of six with a tennis racket,a tennis ball and a girl who didn’t realize how far this sport will really take her.

I was first introduced to tennis from my older brother, Draidahn as a little fun after school activity to burn some energy . At first, I didn’t understand how huge tennis would become in my life. I was simply learning the basic steps, holding the racket, hitting the ball over the net and having lots of fun. I didn’t know those first few swings would eventually lead me toward opportunities I could only dream of.

Growing up in this small island known as Anguilla. I was always surrounded by familiar faces and beauty of the island. Life felt familiar and comfortable, but tennis introduced me to something much more. It gave me a reason to challenge myself, meet new people, compete against stronger players and discover what I was capable of.

As years passed, tennis stopped being just an after school get away I simply did for fun. It became a part of who I was. The more I played, the more I wanted to improve. Tennis taught me that talent alone is not enough. There were days when I played well and felt proud of myself, but there were also days when nothing seemed to work. I had to learn how to deal with losing, frustration, mistakes, and disappointment.

One of the hardest lessons tennis taught me was that losing does not mean you are a loser. Every loss gave me something to learn. Every mistake showed me something I needed to work on. Every difficult practice gave me an opportunity to become stronger. I began to understand that becoming a good tennis player wasn’t about being perfect. It was about being willing to keep going.

After years of playing tennis, I began thinking about my future differently. I started realizing that tennis could open doors for me beyond the places I had always known. One day, Coach Mitch introduced me to the idea of attending a boarding school abroad. At first, it was just an idea, but the more I thought about it, the more I began to see how it could give me an opportunity to grow both academically and athletically.

I wanted to challenge myself in a new environment, meet people from different backgrounds, and continue developing as both a student and an athlete. I also wanted to take my tennis to a higher level. The thought of leaving home and going abroad was exciting, but it was also scary. I knew it would mean stepping outside of my comfort zone. But sometimes the biggest opportunities begin with one simple idea.

Then came Foxcroft School:

I became interested in Foxcroft School because of its tennis program, its welcoming environment, its beautiful surroundings, and the opportunities it offered students. I could imagine myself there not only playing tennis, but growing as a person. I wanted an environment where I could challenge myself academically and athletically. I wanted to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds. I wanted to become more independent and prepare myself for the future.

The more I learned about Foxcroft, the more I began to believe that it could be the next chapter of my journey. But wanting something and actually achieving it are two very different things. I still had to work for the opportunity. Applying to boarding school was both exciting and nerve-racking. I had to explain who I was, what tennis meant to me, and what I hoped to accomplish in the future. I knew this was more than just applying to a school it was an opportunity to take my tennis and my education to the next level.

After completing the application, all I could do was wait and hope. Then came the moment I had been waiting for. I found out that I had received a scholarship to attend Foxcroft School, Middleburg, Virginia and continue my tennis journey abroad.

I was overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement. I thought about how far I had come from the little girl who first picked up a tennis racket to now having the opportunity to study and play tennis abroad.

The scholarship represented years of hard work, dedication, and support from the people who believed in me. It was proof that the dream I once had was becoming a reality. As I prepare to begin this new chapter at sixteen years old, I find myself looking back at where I started. I am proud of how far I have come, but I also know that this isn’t the end of my journey. It is only the beginning of another chapter.

Tennis has given me much more than a sport. It has taught me discipline. It has taught me patience. It has taught me how to lose. It has taught me how to win. It has taught me how to believe in myself when things are difficult. Most importantly, it has taught me that dreams require action.

You cannot simply wish for something and expect it to happen. You have to work for it, believe in it, and continue moving forward even when the road becomes difficult. Sometimes I wonder what the little girl who first started playing tennis would think if she could see me now. Would she believe that one day tennis would take her abroad? Would she believe that she would receive a scholarship? Would she believe that the sport she started playing as a child would become such an important part of her identity?

I think she would be proud. Because she didn’t know where the journey would lead. She simply picked up the racket and started. And that is what makes my journey so meaningful. I didn’t know exactly where tennis would take me. I only knew that I loved the game and wanted to become better. Years later, that little decision has brought me to a place I once only dreamed about. Now, at sixteen, I am preparing to step onto a new court, enter a new school, meet new people, and face new challenges.

I will always be grateful to the people who helped me reach this point, especially Coach Shridath Rey for the countless hours he invested in me to work on every aspect of my game. Coach Mitch Lake for introducing me to the possibility of boarding school, Coach Chris Wade for his support during summer camp, and all of my coaches who helped me grow as an athlete and as a person. Coach Michelle Woodruff and Rhea Hyatt and friends of the ATA in Dallas, Texas. Thank you!

The journey that began with a tennis racket has brought me to a scholarship and an opportunity to play abroad. But my story doesn’t end here. It’s just the beginning.. 💙🎾

Reynah Lico to Attend Foxcroft School, Middleburg, Virginia - Anguilla Tennis Academy 21st Scholarship Recipient

ANGUILLA - The Anguilla Tennis Academy (ATA) is proud to announce a significant milestone in its longstanding commitment to youth development through education and sport: 16-year-old Reynah Lico has become the 21st ATA student-athlete to earn a scholarship to attend school abroad. Reynah will leave Anguilla tomorrow, Tuesday, August 25th 2026 for Foxcroft School in Middleburg, Virginia, where she will continue her academic studies while pursuing the sport of tennis that has shaped much of her life since she first picked up a tennis racket at the tender age of six.

For Reynah, the scholarship represents far more than an opportunity to attend an outstanding school. It is the culmination of a journey that began on the ATA courts of Anguilla - a journey defined by discipline, perseverance, sacrifice, mentorship and a willingness to dream beyond the shores of her island home.

Reynah's achievement marks another important milestone for the Anguilla Tennis Academy. She becomes the 21st student-athlete from the ATA to receive a scholarship opportunity to continue her education abroad. Her scholarship is not simply the story of a talented tennis player. It is the story of a young Anguillian who learned that talent must be accompanied by hard work, discipline, resilience and the courage to step beyond what is comfortable. Reynah was quoted as saying, “Tennis has given me much more than a sport. It has taught me discipline. It has taught me patience. It has taught me how to lose. It has taught me how to win. It has taught me how to believe in myself when things are difficult. Most importantly, it has taught me that dreams require action.”

Reynah is quick to acknowledge that she did not reach this milestone alone. She credits Coach Shridath Rey for the countless hours he invested in developing every aspect of her game, Coach Tristin Rogers for his great leadership running the ATA, Coach George Richards and Coach Calyde Hughes for their dedication towards her growth as a player and Coach Mitch Lake for introducing her to the possibility of attending boarding school and encouraging her to see tennis as a pathway to greater opportunities. She also expressed gratitude to Coach Chris Wade for his support during summer camps, along with all of the ATA coaches who have contributed to her development throughout her years. Reynah additionally thanked Coach Michelle Woodruff, Rhea Hyatt and the friends and supporters of the Anguilla Tennis Academy in Dallas, Texas, whose encouragement and support have made this tennis journey possible.

Mitchelle Lake, Founder and President of the ATA stated, “On behalf of the ATA board and coaches, I extend congratulations to Reynah Lico and her parents on this remarkable achievement. Foxcroft is an institution of excellence that will allow Reynah to reach her full potential over the next three years both on and off the court. Reynah has fully embraced this opportunity and I am certain she will make both the ATA and her family proud. I also take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to Chris Wade, Foxcroft Admissions, and ATA supporters in Dallas that made this opportunity possible.”

We would like to thank all of our amazing sponsors for this year’s summer camp. Thank you for your continued support to the Anguilla Tennis Academy.

Keeping our players hydrated at all times. Thank you to coach Matt and Coach Brooke for their wonderful gesture towards the ATA.

All smiles over here at the ATA for our annual summer camp.