Santander’s offshore savings subsidiary, Alliance & Leicester International (ALIL) based in Douglas Isle of Man, has shown its commitment to local tennis club ‘Albany Lawn’, by continuing to support its special academy, that helps develop talented and committed island tennis players aged between seven and 11 years to reach a competition standard. The primary aim of the tennis academy is to promote the sport island wide, by staging talent academies across different venues throughout the island, allowing the children to ‘try before they buy’. Those youngsters that demonstrate aptitude and a commitment to playing tennis will be selected for specific training, with the goal of producing players of a high standard to represent the Isle of Man. For the past three years training has been held by Colin Hanbridge. With Colin’s recent departure it will now be provided by newly appointed coach Ian Watson, former Isle of Man LTA Development Officer. Training will continue to be held three times per week with a mini tournament being arranged for the first Saturday in every month. George Campbell, community affairs manager at ALIL, commented: ‘We are delighted to continue to support such a worthwhile programme, which will allow local young tennis players to further their ambitions at the competition stage. We hope this will make a big difference to tennis on the island.’ -ENDS-