The Harlequin Sports Academy will offer world class coaching and state-of-the-art facilities for tennis, football and cricket. It will include a fitness centre with a full range of cardiovascular and strength training equipment.

Harlequin Hotels & Resorts is creating sports academies in each of its Caribbean resorts - St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, St. Lucia and the Dominican Republic. The Caribbean provides the perfect location for sports training facilities as its climate makes it possible for year-round practice and training.

Liverpool FC Soccer School

Liverpool Football Club is the most successful English football team, having won 5 European Cups and 18 league (English Premier League, formerly First Division) titles amongst a record 40 major honours. Great players from the past include Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush, through to the modern era of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

Each of Harlequin’s resorts will feature a Liverpool FC Soccer School which will provide training and coaching programmes for both adults and children aged 5 and above in an environment where everyone will be given the opportunity to play football to the best of their ability, with encouragement and training to develop the skills necessary to enjoy the game at whatever level they wish to play. Coaching sessions will be interactive, challenging and fun.

The programmes will teach the fundamental techniques of the game and show players how to develop their ball skills, focussing on the tactical, physical, mental and social elements of the game. Whilst developing players as individuals, the coaching will also encourage players to work as a team both in defensive and attacking situations including positional sense, communication, handling, footwork, distribution, crosses, organisational skills, kicking, agility and flexibility.

The facilities at Harlequin’s resorts will also be available for professional football teams to undertake intensive pre-season training. Harlequin also intends to make the Soccer Schools available to local children to encourage education through sports as part of its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.

Pat Cash Tennis Academy

Pat Cash first came to the tennis world’s attention as a junior player in the early 1980’s. He was ranked the top junior player in the world in 1981 and in 1982 he won the junior titles at both Wimbledon and the US Open. He turned professional in 1982 and won his first top level singles title that year in Melbourne. In 1983 Cash became the youngest player to play in a Davis Cup final.

The crowning moment of his career came at Wimbledon in 1987 when he defeated the World Number 1, Ivan Lendl, in the final to become the Wimbledon Champion. He is a five times Grand Slam Finalist, winner of the Davis Cup twice and a respected worldwide television commentator. The Pat Cash Tennis Academy will provide unique training and coaching programmes for both children and adults, developed from Pat’s many years of learning during his playing career, his analytical approach and most recently the application of his knowledge in coaching on the professional tour. Players of all abilities will be given encouragement and training to develop the skills necessary to enjoy the game at the level they wish to play and video analysis to improve their technique.

Pat will hold coaching clinics at each of the resorts and play in exhibition matches throughout the year.

Gary Player Golf

With tropical temperatures year-round, dazzling white beaches, and spectacular golf courses, the islands of the Caribbean are among the world’s most sought-after golf holiday destinations. Once you look up from your swing you will find a backdrop which is second to none.

Harlequin Hotels & Resorts is working with The Gary Player Group to bring world class golf to the Caribbean. The first Gary Player Signature Golf Course will be at The Marquis Estate in St Lucia. The course will be designed to be challenging for both amateurs and professionals, using the natural environment to create a golfer’s paradise with spectacular views.

Golfing legend Gary Player is one of only five players in history to win all four major golf championships, a career grand slam. His 18 major championship victories and 164 worldwide victories during his 50 year career have ensured the name Gary Player is synonymous with integrity, honour and character in both golf and business. Gary Player, famous around the globe as the Black Knight, Mr Fitness and the International Ambassador of Golf, is also a renowned golf course designer with over 300 design projects throughout the world.

Cricket Academy

The Cricket Academy will offer courses for children aged 7 to 16 years with all levels of experience. Designed by a professional cricketer, the courses will encourage youngsters to learn game skills and improve technique and co-ordination in a fun environment whilst giving each child confidence in their own ability. Coaching will cover every aspect of cricketing skills - batting, bowling, wicket keeping and fielding - all of which will be put into practice under game conditions. Coaches will help children develop at their own pace, guiding them to focus on the specific cricketing discipline that they are showing proficiency in and reach their potential.

Advanced courses will also be available to develop the techniques of youngsters already possessing basic skills, involving specialist sessions and master classes. The cricket facilities at Harlequin’s resorts will also be available for adult teams to undertake intensive pre-season training.

Harlequin also intends to make the Cricket Academy available to local people. Mini tournaments will be arranged for course participants with local teams throughout the year.

Matthew Hoggard and Michael Vaughan are signed up for a number of weeks in the 2012 season to showcase and teach classes to 5-12 year old's.

Harlequin Fitness Centre

The Harlequin Fitness Centre will comprise an outstanding air-conditioned gym with a full range of state-of-the-art cardiovascular and physical training equipment including the latest resistance equipment, cardio machines, treadmills, bikes, cross-trainers, Power Plate machines and rowing machines. Equipped with the very latest entertainment systems guests will be able to enjoy music, sport or news items whilst exercising.

The qualified and friendly staff will offer expert guidance to help guests reach their goals by creating fitness programmes tailored to their needs and ensuring that the equipment is used correctly and safely.

Diving and Watersports

The clear, warm waters of the Caribbean are home to an incredible underwater world of pristine coral reefs teeming with a magnificent abundance of colourful marine life and offer some of the best dive sites and cruising grounds in the world. Snorkelling is the perfect way to experience the spectacular world beneath the waterline without diving equipment. The whole family can enjoy the kaleidoscope of colours displayed amongst the reefs. Hire a motor boat for a breathtaking, high speed adventure to explore the sparkling Caribbean Sea and its stunning islands further afield.

Relaxing on the deck of a sleek Catamaran is the perfect way to view the stunning coastlines and azure waters of the Caribbean. Visit idyllic palm-fringed beaches and sheltered bays to swim and snorkel. Hiring a Kayak for a couple of hours is the perfect way to explore the sea and shoreline around the resort at your own pace - easy to learn, fun and family-friendly.

Deep sea fishing is a major sport in the Caribbean as the waters that surround the islands are home to many types of fish due to the vast differences in the underwater landscapes of the region. From shallow shores and reefs to deep water, there are an abundance of fish in every region. Sportsmen travel from all over the world to capture the large sport fish from the deeper waters. Dolphin and whale-watching trips provide a truly thrilling, exciting and ultimately unforgettable experience. There is nothing quite like viewing these magnificent mammals up close. With over twenty different kinds of Cetacean in the Caribbean including several different types of dolphin, sightings are very high and it will certainly make for a memorable holiday! Kitesurfing and windsurfing will be available at Harlequin's Two Rivers and Las Canas resorts in the Dominican Republic.