It feels good to finally be home after a month of travel. The beginning of my journey took me to Peñafiel, Spain, where I stayed for two and a half weeks. There, I ran with the bulls and played with them inside the bull ring. I was one of the lucky ones that did not get injured.Others were not so fortunate. My last stop was Bridgehampton, New York, where I was invited to stay with Edgar Bronfman Jr. and his family at their home in New York.

L-R Aaron Bronfman Frank Alcock Clarissa Bronfman Peter Alcock James Alcock not shown are Erik and Bettina Bronfman

Mr. Bronfman is one of the Anguilla Tennis Academy’s biggest supporters and this is the second year in a row that they have invited me to give tennis classes to their four children and three nephews. As my readers know, working with children and education in general are my passions. I have been fortunate to be placed in a position where I can make a positive difference in the lives of many children through the efforts of the ATA. Teaching a child is one of the most gratifying feelings in the world and it is quite addictive. I would like to use my column this week to say thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Bronfman for not only permitting me to work with their amazing children and nephews, but for supporting the children of Anguilla.

Mr. Bronfman is the Chairman and CEO of the Warner Music Group, one of the world’s major music companies. He is also involved with a number of other ventures and serves on many other boards. He has been coming to Anguilla for years with his family and has seen how the Anguilla Tennis Academy has benefited the lives of many children on the island including his own. He is therefore one of biggest supporters and contributors to the organization and without his help the ATA would not be so successful. I had a chance to work with Edgar and Clarissa’s four children for an entire week. Their oldest son Aaron shows great potential as well as their twins, son Erik and daughter Bettina. Their youngest, Clarissa, affectionately known as Tutti, is quite gifted as well and shows great hand and eye coordination for a child of only six years. I also worked with their nephews Frank, Peter and James Alcock who are all very talented and show promise in the sport. All seven children were impeccably well-behaved and are living proof of the fact that the nurturing of children, not nature or their surroundings, is the most important part of child development.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Bronfman have done a fantastic job of raising their children and it emphasizes the fact that parental involvement is the key when it comes to moulding good citizens and contributors of society. I wish to thank them and also Mr. Frank Alcock and Bettina Alcock (Frank, Peter, and James’ parents) for the hospitality they showed me. Yet, more importantly, I appreciate the fact that they have taken an interest in the future development of the children of Anguilla. I wish them and the children the best of luck in their future endeavours and I hope to see them again soon.

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