Andy Townsend's blog: Sports at Buccament Bay Resort go from strength to strength

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Hi everyone,

 

I hope you are all well and braving the winter weather. Late last year I was travelling here, there and everywhere from Stockholm, Turin, Milan and Munich, and they were all chilly, which is why I was especially looking forward to getting out to Buccament Bay Resort over the Christmas period.

 

Before I got there, Gareth Southgate was on resort to coach, of course, and he and his family loved the resort. He was very impressed with the staff and the manner with which they assisted everyone. He enjoyed good food, met some lovely people and found the whole experience a rewarding one.

 

Gareth Southgate’s son, aged 9, had a fantastic time, whether it was playing in the Little Harlequins Kids Club, making friends at HQ Coffee Shop, riding the bikes around, playing football at the Liverpool Football Club International Academy Soccer School – he even had a singing lesson. Gareth and I both agreed that it’s so nice to see your kids being kids, and they can do that at Buccament Bay Resort.

 

At home we are all always running them here, taking them there and generally feeling afraid to let them out of our sight, but on resort they quickly team up with others and just have fun outside in the sunshine – no computer games or TV all day. It really makes a parent’s holiday knowing that the kids are out and about having fun. Gareth had a lot of youngsters enjoying his coaching sessions and he was impressed with the standard. We shall keep an eye out for one or two in the future!!!

 

2013 is already looking very busy and as ever we are committed to bringing the best names to the resort. We have the likes of Liverpool FC legends John Barnes, Jason McAteer and Ronnie Whelan taking good care of the football, Ronnie Irani to get the cricket nets buzzing, the legend Pat Cash enriching the tennis coaching, Lewis Moody returning to share his “Mad Dog” rugby expertise, and I am very hopeful that we can bring some of Britain’s finest Olympians to St Vincent. Now that will be exciting!

 

At the recent World Travel Market we met Max Whitlock, a double bronze medal winning gymnast at the 2012 London Olympics, and what a smashing young lad he was, a real credit to his family who joined us on the Harlequin stand. Max very kindly signed some pictures and posed for plenty of photos, and it was a pleasure meeting him. Best of luck at next summer’s World Championships, Max!!

 

Imagine trying to learn a few moves from some of our top athletes at Buccament Bay! Watch this space - you never know who might be there next!

 

As we all welcome in 2013 and look forward to another exciting year, let’s not forget we had a great 2012 at Buccament Bay Resort. We have seen our new full size pitch take shape and turn into a first class surface that is now ready for use. I was on the pitch only a few weeks ago and I was really impressed with the way it feels and plays. Our ground staff have worked exceptionally hard to turn it into a surface good enough for professional clubs to train and play on. I am looking forward to seeing our guests use the new pitch over the months ahead.

 

Christmas was fantastic on resort and our Harlequin Sports Academy facilities were in full flow. What I really love is that adults and kids of all ages were encouraged to take part and the feedback onsite was very encouraging. We are in the process of putting new and improved schedules in place so that all our sports can be enjoyed to the maximum for those who love an active holiday.

 

2013 promises to be an exciting year with many top class sporting heroes due to appear to offer their expertise and insight to our guests – bring it on, I can’t wait!!

 

Take care,

 

Andy