WTT Philadelphia Freedoms

Philadelphia Freedoms Name Pascal Collard Head Coach

April 25, 2011 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Philadelphia Freedoms News Release


(PHILADELPHIA, Pa.) - Billie Jean King, owner of the Philadelphia Freedoms World TeamTennis (WTT) team, has announced the selection of Pascal Collard, tennis director for the Merion Cricket Club and president and founder of Down the Line and Beyond Foundation, as coach for the Philadelphia Freedoms for the 2011 season.

During this season Collard will be coaching the Freedoms' lineup which includes superstars such as American teen phenom Melanie Oudin, former world no. 1 doubles player Lisa Raymond of Wayne, Pa, rising American Beatrice Capra, Brendan Evans and 3-time ATP Doubles titlist Nathan Healey of Reading, Pa.

"Pascal is a great asset to the Freedoms," said King. "He has experience coaching top 10 players, is well-known and respected in the Philadelphia tennis community and works every day to build character education in youth tennis players through his foundation."

"I am excited for the opportunity to lead the Freedoms in a successful season," explained Collard. "I also look forward to interacting with the fans and getting the Philadelphia area energized about tennis."

Originally from Belgium, Collard began his career with the Belgium Association of Tennis Development, the largest tennis association in Belgium that served over 8,000 junior and adult students and 120 tennis instructors. He has been a coach in the United States for the past nine years.

His love of the game and desire to give back to the community prompted Collard to found the Down the Line and Beyond Foundation to unite tennis, character and educational values for talented Philadelphia area youth tennis players in order to maximize each child's full potential. He is currently Director of Tennis for the Merion Cricket Club and lives in Villanova with his wife and two sons.

Individual match tickets are on sale exclusively through ComcastTIX online at ComcastTIX.com, or by phone at 866-WTT-TIXS. All seats are reserved. Information about season tickets is available at www.philadelphiafreedoms.com.



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