Bangkok--Oct 18--Image Impact Peter McNamara along with leading Australian coaches will be conducting free intensive tennis training and coaches workshop in Bangkok as part of the Australian Open’s on-going contribution to assist with development in the region. The Australian Open together with Piyarom Sports Club will host the 2nd Australian Open Asia-Pacific Training Camp in Thailand during October 17 - 21, 2005 at the Piyarom Sports Club in Bangkok. The second regional tennis camp and workshop in Thailand is a result of last year’s overwhelming success. Entitled “Developing Champions”, this year’s program will once again have Mr. Peter McNamara, former world No. 7 tennis player, conducting the intensive training courses designed to develop both aspiring young tennis players as well as national tennis coaches. Participation in the program is free of charge to all Asian Tennis Federation member nations. Mr. Piya Jittalan, Chairman of Piyarom Sports Club, revealed, “Due to its popularity and limited availability, the registration of the 2nd Australian Open Asia-pacific Tennis Training program was closed earlier than schedule. We will have 88 tennis players, aged between 14-18, and 33 coaches from 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region participating. Among these, there are 29 Thai tennis players and 18 Thai coaches”. “This tennis training camp initiated by the Australian Open is a very useful program that helps improve playing and coaching skills among the participants from Thailand and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region. This is a very rare opportunity, which is available for young players and coaches only once a year. As for last year, we found that several young Thai players who attended the training had showed remarkable development in their playing skills, and have taken part in both local and international tennis competitions. The players have shown a lot of improvement. I look forward to seeing more international tennis stars from Thailand and the rest of the region.” Mr. Richie Gee, Asia-Pacific Marketing Manager of the Australian Open, said that we have adjusted the courses to be more suitable this year. “For example, more time will be allocated for action and practice. In addition to the intensive on-court training, we will also include stretching, yoga, match-play and other techniques into the program. I am confident that the participants will find this training camp beneficial, and we will keep building on the firm foundation of the program in the future. We aim to make it better each year.” The program will take place daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during October 17 - 21 at the Piyarom Sports Club on Sukhumvit Road. For more details, please call the Club on Tel: 02-747-9800 or Fax: 02-747-9383 For further information, please contact Image Impact Limited: Onticha Rattanawannathip Nearunchala Mahaphan Tel: 02-253-6809 - 12 Fax: 02-253-5805 Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net End.