BVILTA with the support of VP Bank and Premier Tennis and in conjunction with the Necker Cup – the most exclusive Pro-Am tennis event in the world – are organizing a Necker Cup Kids Day hosted by the Tortola Sports Club (TSC), which will feature two world-renowned tennis coaches and entertainers, Wayne Bryan and Murphy Jensen, who were also the headliners of the event last year. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/File

Wayne Bryan is an American tennis coach, author, and speaker. He is the father and former coach of twin brothers, Mike and Bob Bryan, who are the current No. 1 doubles team in the world and the most successful professional doubles team in the tennis history. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/File

Scene from a previous training programme. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/File

Scene from a previous training programme. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/File

The British Virgin Islands Lawn Tennis Association (BVILTA) with the support of VP Bank and Premier Tennis and in conjunction with the Necker Cup – the most exclusive Pro-Am tennis event in the world – are organizing a Necker Cup Kids Day hosted by the Tortola Sports Club (TSC), which will feature two world-renowned tennis coaches and entertainers, Wayne Bryan and Murphy Jensen, who were also the headliners of the event last year.

The event, which will start at 9am and finish at 2pm, is free for children of all ages.

Wayne Bryan is an American tennis coach, author, and speaker. He is the father and former coach of twin brothers, Mike and Bob Bryan, who are the current No. 1 doubles team in the world and the most successful professional doubles team in the tennis history.

“I am looking forward to seeing all the BVI children again. Last year was a lot of fun and a great turnout. Making children smile and excited about tennis is what it’s all about,” said Wayne Bryan.

Murphy Jensen is an American former professional tennis player who won French Open doubles title in 1993.

He is also an award-winning coach of the World Team Tennis professional league as the coach of Washington Kastles. Murphy has also hosted several programmes on the Tennis Channel and acted in the movie Wimbledon.

“I enjoyed the kids day on Tortola last year very much. The children were so nice and enthusiastic and it was a lot of fun playing with them,” said Murphy Jensen.

VP Bank is the lead sponsor of the 2014 Necker Cup Kids Day. “VP Bank is honoured to support such an exclusive and unique event,” said Sjoerd Koster, General Manager – Client Business of the VP Bank. “Wayne Bryan and Murphy Jensen are great tennis icons and they did an incredible job last year. They made the children so happy; but and not only the children – the parents were smiling the whole time and were glued to the show courts. It was a fun family day and a great opportunity to further promote the sport of tennis in the territory, and together with the help of Necker Cup, Premier Tennis, BVI LTA, and TSC we are excited to bring the event back to Tortola again.”

Wayne Bryan’s and Murphy Jensen’s presence at the Necker Cup Kids Day is made possible by Premier Tennis, who are the promoters of the Necker Cup. “Last year, we wanted to bring a “piece” of Necker Cup from the Necker Island to Tortola and the Necker Cup Kids Day was the best fit to do it,” said Trevor Short, Co-Founder & President of Premier Tennis. “The children’s attendance was a great success and Wayne and Murphy put on a fantastic show so it was a no-brainer to bring the event back this year again with Wayne and Murphy.”

The first part of the day will include a free tennis coaching and games by the TSC tennis staff. “We are honoured to host the event again,” said Amine Elouazzani, TSC Director of Tennis. “The children will be able to enjoy on-court exercises, games, and other activities during the first hour with our coaches, high performance junior players, and volunteers before Wayne and Murphy arrive. The event will for sure bring great inspiration and motivation to all the kids.”

The proceeds from the Necker Cup Kids Day and partial proceeds from the auction at the Necker Cup will benefit the BVI LTA, who in turn supports various tennis programs in the BVI. “BVI LTA is extremely grateful for everyone who makes this event possible and helps us to grow the sport in the BVI. The proceeds are used for supporting free drop-in tennis classes for juniors, international tournament travel expenses for top juniors, tennis camps, new tennis initiatives, junior tournaments, equipment, etc,” said Dion Anselm, President of the BVILTA.