BNP Paribas National Tennis Day Launches in Temple Bar

Meeting House Square in Temple Bar will undergo a tennis transformation on the afternoon of Tuesday 29th May 2012 (1pm - 2.30pm) as Wimbledon 2011 contestant Conor Niland hosts the launch of the first ever BNP Paribas National Tennis Day.

Four mini tennis courts will be constructed in the square and school kids and members of the public will be invited to step up and try their luck against Niland and other tennis personalities such as emerging players like Sam Barry and Amy Bowtell. The BNP Paribas National Tennis Day is scheduled for 7th July 2012 and will be launched by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Andrew Montague. Our guests on the day will include the Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council, John Treacy and Minister for Sport, Michael Ring TD who will take time out from Referendum canvassing to practice his backhand.

BNP Paribas National Tennis Day (7th July) will become an annual event, supporting clubs across the country to host Open Days and other events designed to draw in new members. The Ladies Final at Wimbledon takes place on Saturday 7th July 2012.

Des Allen, CEO of Tennis Ireland says: 'The first ever BNP Paribas National Tennis Day will help people across the country discover that tennis is a sport for life. It's fun, can be played by people of all ages, and it's affordable'.

'Tennis is a rising star in Irish sport and we have great infrastructure for players at all levels. Maybe the next Roger or Sharapova will walk through the doors of their local club on the 7th of July!'

Conor Niland says: "This is the first time that tennis has been played in Temple Bar and we hope that it will remind people across Ireland to go to their local club on the 7th of July and pick up a racquet for the first time. Tennis clubs are at the heart of so many communities and although tennis has taken me all over the world, some of my best memories are of summertime at my local club in Limerick."

Gilles de Decker, CEO of BNP Paribas Ireland says: "Tennis plays a central role in the Bank's development strategy, promoting and growing our brand across the world. Tennis embodies many of the values embraced by BNP Paribas, anchored in teamwork, competition, fair play, diversity, inclusiveness and the pleasure of being a player. It's our pleasure to support the BNP Paribas National Tennis Day, complimenting our support of rising stars in Ireland, July 7th should raise awareness of the sport here and encourage participation at all levels.."