Bradford & Bingley International has teamed up with a Douglas tennis club to launch a special academy dedicated to helping young players develop their talent.

The Academy, which will allow young players (aged 7 - 11) to reach competition standard has been set up by the bank and Albany Lawn Tennis Club.

George Campbell, Community Affairs Manager at Bradford and Bingley Internatioal, said ‘We are delighted to support such a worthwhile programme, which will allow local young players to sample tennis for the first time, as well as further their ambitions at the competition stage. We hope this will make a big difference to tennis on the Island.’

The aim of the Tennis Academy is initially to promote tennis island wide by staging talent academies at various venues, allowing the children to 'try before they buy'. This would then develop into specific training for those youngsters who showed both an aptitude and a commitment to playing tennis.  

The final goal is to produce players of a high standard to represent the Island and to follow on from the success of Albany junior club members Billy Harris, ranked 17th in Europe, and Ashwin Linzen, ranked 7th in the UK.

Tennis Development Manager and Island Professional Co-ordinator for the Lawn Tennis Association Ian Watson said ‘It’s a tremendous boost, not only for tennis on the Island, but for the club. It has given us an opportunity to put together a full tennis programme. We have been working towards this for a long time, but the support from Bradford and Bingley International has made this all possible.

‘Tennis is a technical sport and teaches important skills such as co-ordination, movement and fitness at a young age. A lot of the time the children are out there on the court on their own, they have to think and they have to battle. It’s a lot like life in general.’

The Academy will see the young players receive specific training three times a week from the club’s coach Colin Hanbidge. A mini tournament will also be staged the first Saturday in every month.

Club Chairman Mark Cruz Odwyer said ‘We want to encourage people to take up tennis and increase the competition in the Island. We are very fortunate and very thankful to Bradford and Bingley International for the Academy, which will focus on the development of those children who want to compete.

Pictured: Young members of Albany Lawn Tennis Club with coach Colin Hanbidge (far left), Retail Sales Associate Michael Moore (middle) and Bradford and Bingley International Community Affairs Manager George Campbell (right).