Sport
T ere are lots of courts in public parks that are free and youngsters can join a club for £30 or £40 a year. “At the moment tennis is simply not off ered to enough youngsters. Not surprisingly,
football tends to
dominate children’s sport — but if
they had two sports, say tennis and football, they would become much better
athletes and better-rounded individuals. “A couple of years ago we had Laura Robson at the tennis tournament and the kids treated her like a rock star, it was fantastic.” Now, with the help of the city council and
breeding the Andy Murrays and Laura Robsons of tomorrow. He adds: “If tennis is truly to take off in Britain we need better facilities such as more indoor courts for the winter. In austerity Britain the main problem facing all sport is cash and, with public money in such short supply, we need to fi nd as many sources of funding as possible. “Tennis is the perfect vehicle for sponsors and could have a huge economic impact on a city like Liverpool. “Liverpool is already on the tennis map as the annual Liverpool International Tennis Tournament is now the biggest exhibition event in Europe. Now that the grass court season has been extended we are looking at it as a possible future ATP venue like Queen’s or Eastbourne. “If that were to happen it would have a massive impact, similar to the city winning the Capital of Culture. T ere would be so much world focus on the city and the economic benefi ts would be spread over 10 days of competition, longer than
towards kick-starting the foundation. Anders already has plenty of support in the game for his ambitious plans. 1996 Wimbledon singles champion Richard Krajicek said: “Anders has always been a great supporter of tennis and getting youth involved. With the Liverpool Tennis Foundation he is
the Lawn Tennis Association, Anders has set up a foundation to take tennis into schools throughout Liverpool. As well as showcasing the sport, the Northern Vision Liverpool Tennis Foundation will organise in-school coaching, after-school clubs, competitions, mentoring and a tennis academy. T ousands of youngsters from the city will also get the chance to meet the stars at the Liverpool International Tournament for free. Says Anders: “When they see live tennis, the kids realise what a fantastic sport it is: the diff erence between seeing it on TV and on the court is like night and day. “Liverpool-based players such as Ken Skupsky and Chloe Murphy have won tennis scholarships to America that have paid for their education. “American colleges love to have international students and they are willing to subsidise them. It shows the great opportunities that are out there.” Anders believes sponsorship is crucial to
a major golf tournament, and would be repeated every year. “But to do this we need sponsors, especially national brands with global appeal, to get behind the sport. If we could get good sponsorship at local level, we could start to build a whole new level of support for the game.” Sponsorship from the tennis tournament will go
taking it to another level and this way even more kids will get in contact with tennis.” Anders adds: “All the best athletes in whatever sport start when they are young. I’m convinced that giving youngsters the right exposure to tennis at an early age is the best way to increase participation in the game. T rough the foundation we will do this. “T at can only help to produce the Wimbledon champions of tomorrow.”
Photos supplied by David Rawcliff e
For more information on the Northern Vision Liverpool Tennis Foundation and the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament contact
admin@northern-vision.co.uk or call 0151 227 5940.
39
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68