The Academia Sanchez-Casal of Barcelona, Spain, and the Bouchard
Group of Naples, Fla., today 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.