Key Biscayne, Florida, United States
The Academia Sanchez-Casal of Barcelona, Spain, and the Bouchard Group of Naples, Fla., has announced an agreement to partner in the development of a North American elite level tennis training facility. Through an exclusive licensing and partnership agreement the Academia Sanchez-Casal, Europe's most visible and successful trainer of professional and university level tennis talent, will open its doors at the Naples Tennis Club and Resort in Naples, Fla., on June 1, 2007.
Emilio Sanchez, Chief Executive Officer of Sanchez-Casal, and captain of the Spanish Davis Cup team stated, "We are extremely happy to announce our entrance into the U.S. market with this strategic partnership. We have been actively looking for the best facility and best partner to expand our operations beyond Europe. Our facilities in Barcelona are becoming extended due to the growth of our academy business. Opening at the 38-court Naples Tennis Club, with business partners like Craig and Jim Bouchard can help us accomplish our growth plans." Sanchez also said, "The United States has not produced many male or female top 100 tour players in recent years. We hope to work with the USTA and key young players to reverse this trend and help America maintain itself as a tour leader along with countries such as Spain, Russia, Argentina and the upcoming Chinese."
Craig Bouchard, Chief Executive Officer of Bouchard 10S LLC, and Chairman of the Naples Tennis Club and Resort, commented, "The Naples Tennis Club is an important asset of the Bouchard Group of investors. We have been evaluating potential partners to help us build our sports management business and are proud to announce that Emilio Sanchez has agreed to bring his world class operation to our facility. Emilio is, by our assessment the most successful tennis professional in the business world today. Florida is the tennis capital of North America and we intend to make the Sanchez-Casal Academy in Naples the most significant tennis training facility in Florida. It's time the for US tennis industry to turn the corner and start producing players again. Emilio and I are committed to making this happen."
About Academia Sanchez-Casal
The Sanchez-Casal Academy has trained more top 50 players on the pro tour than the whole of the United States has put into the top 50 in recent years. Emilio Sanchez Vicario and Sergio Casal have created a new educational concept for young tennis players, in which they can simultaneously combine top-level sport training and pre-university studies in social studies and foreign language. Based in Barcelona, Club Academia Sanchez-Casal is the most prestigious training center in Europe.
Academia Sanchez-Casal - Naples, now offers players from the USA and around the world the same top class junior training program that has made ASC - Barcelona one of the world leading academies. The Academia Sanchez-Casal at Naples Tennis Club and Resort is a 44 court facility (37 clay and 7 hard), with a state of the art fitness center, complete boarding facilities and a staff directed by top Spanish, US and International coaches, all trained under the Academia Sanchez-Casal system and philosophy.
About the Bouchard Group
Headquartered in Chicago, Ill., the Bouchard Group is a holding company established by Craig T. and James P. Bouchard. Its interests include the 10th largest private company in the U.S. steel industry (www.esmark.com), investments in real estate, electric power, aircraft leasing and communications. Located in beautiful Naples, Fla., Tennis Magazine has ranked the Naples Tennis Club & Resort among the finest tennis resorts in the world.
CONTACT: Edelman Bill Keegan 312-240-2624 bill.keegan@edelman.com
Source: Business Wire (Business Wire India)