CHANHASSEN, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tennis players from across the country have spent the past month competing to play for a spot in the world’s most exclusive Pro-Am tennis tournament, the 2012 Necker Cup, taking place Dec. 9-13. Over the weekend, Life Time – The Healthy Way of Life Company (NYSE: LTM) hosted the Necker Cup Challenge Final at Life Time Fitness Colorado Springs and ultimately only one team came out on top. Trista Fredell and Amy McCarthy from Colorado Springs, Colo. beat out the competition in a single elimination doubles tournament, securing their spot to play among the pros in the main draw at the Necker Cup.
As the winning team of the Life Time Necker Cup Challenge, Fredell and McCarthy will be partnered with Sir Richard Branson as well as ATP and WTA stars Novak Djokovic, John McEnroe, Bob and Mike Bryan, Tommy Haas and Mark Philippoussis. They will also be treated to an all-inclusive six night, seven day stay at Little Dix Bay, which includes participation in a Virgin Unite Leadership Gathering on Sir Richard Branson’s private island in the British Virgin Islands, Necker Island.
“We are so excited to have won the Life Time Necker Cup Challenge,” says Trista Fredell, winner of the 2012 Necker Cup Challenge. “To have the opportunity to play in one of the most prestigious tennis events in the world is an honor and to partner with pros such as Novak Djokovic is a dream come true! We cannot wait to explore Necker Island!”
The Life Time Necker Cup Challenge implemented the Premier Tennis Handicap Scoring System so all competing teams had an opportunity to win and advance to the 2012 Necker Cup. Regional tournaments took place throughout October and early November with winners advancing to the Necker Cup Challenge Final.
As part of the 2012 Necker Cup, ten percent of proceeds will benefit the National Tennis Foundation that raises money for underprivileged kids to participate in Life Time’s tennis academies. The tournament will also benefit Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group, and other ATP and WTA player charities.
To learn more about the Life Time Necker Cup Challenge as well as the 2012 Necker Cup, visit www.neckercup.com.
About Life Time Fitness, Inc.
As The Healthy Way of Life Company, Life Time Fitness (NYSE: LTM) helps organizations, communities and individuals achieve their total health objectives, athletic aspirations and fitness goals by engaging in their areas of interest – or discovering new passions – both inside and outside of Life Time’s distinctive and large sports, professional fitness, family recreation and spa destinations, most of which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Company’s Healthy Way of Life approach enables customers to achieve this by providing the best programs, people and places of uncompromising quality and value. As of Nov. 20, 2012, the Company operated 105 centers under the LIFE TIME FITNESS® and LIFE TIME ATHLETIC(SM) brands in the United States and Canada. Additional information about Life Time centers, programs and services is available at lifetimefitness.com
About Necker Cup 2012
Premier Tennis Travel will host a five-day world-class Pro-Am tennis event on Sir Richard Branson’s private island, Necker Island, in the British Virgin Islands Dec. 9-13. Sir Richard will join eight current and former ATP and WTA legends to pair up with eight amateur teams of all levels. A handicapped scoring format will be used making it competitive tennis for all tennis levels. Teams consist of one pro and up to two amateurs. Teams compete to win their bracket and earn a chance to play in the Necker Cup Final.
Sir Richard will also join players and participants in a Virgin Unite Leadership Retreat at Temple House on Necker Island. As well as the tennis, participants can engage in typical Necker Island activities including paddle boarding, Pilates, sailing, kite boarding, wake boarding, snorkeling, massage therapy, parties and more. On the final night, an End of the World party will take place and will include an exhibition involving the top pros, an awards ceremony, and an auction. A portion of event profits and 100 percent of all auction proceeds will go to Virgin Unite, the National Tennis Foundation, and other leading ATP and WTA player 501(c) (3) charities. Please visit www.neckercup.com for more information.
About Virgin Unite
Virgin Unite is the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group. We unite people and entrepreneurial ideas to reinvent how we live and work in the world to help make people’s lives better. Our aim is to help revolutionize the way businesses, government and the social sector work together – driving business as a force for good. This is based on the belief that this is the only way we can tackle the scale and urgency of the challenges facing the world today. We also incubate new, independent approaches to global leadership including the Elders, the Carbon War Room, and the Branson Centres of Entrepreneurship.
Virgin Unite’s overheads are covered by Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Group, meaning that 100% of additional donations received go direct to the frontline where they are needed most.
For more information, please visit www.virginunite.com/, follow us on Twitter @virginunite and join the movement on facebook.com/VirginUnite.
About National Tennis Foundation
The National Tennis Foundation (NTF) is a nationally recognized 501(c) (3) charitable organization that has become a leading advocate for exceptional student athletes regardless of race or economic means. The NTF strives to provide scholarships to student athletes who seek annual, full, or part-time training programs that foster excellence in tennis and academics. For more information, visit http://www.nationaltennisfoundation.org/.
About Necker Island
Necker Island is Sir Richard Branson's home and favourite hideaway situated in the British Virgin Islands, a stunning and unspoilt area of the Caribbean. At 74 acres, Necker sits in turquoise waters surrounded by coral reefs and fringed with beautiful white sandy beaches. The island can be hired exclusively or if you're not looking to hire it exclusively, you can still enjoy the Necker experience during Celebration Weeks when individual rooms can be booked by singles or couples to enjoy our fabulous island paradise ’house party’ style. Necker Island is part of the award-winning luxury retreat portfolio - Virgin Limited Edition. www.neckerisland.virgin.com