42 years after it first sponsored Roland-Garros, BNP Paribas has become the world's leading tennis partner and continues to innovate. On 28 May 2015, tennis legend John McEnroe reveals the “We Are Tennis Fan Academy” alongside BNP Paribas.
As a committed sponsor and fan of tennis, BNP Paribas wants to go further and see tennis fans support their favourite players and team in all tournaments, just like in the highly-charged BNP Paribas Fed Cup and Davis Cup matches.
The Group has therefore imagined and designed the “We Are Tennis Fan Academy”, the first school for tennis fans. It aims to recruit and train “super supporters” who play by the rules, in order to liven up the various tournaments and competitions that BNP Paribas sponsors. Thanks to his personality and the victories to his credit, John McEnroe is both the Captain and ambassador of the academy.
The first fan recruitment session will start on 4 June 2015 on fans.wearetennis.com (unavailable link). Fans will be recruited via an unprecedented two-step digital experience.
"As a player, I have always loved electric atmosphere and passionate supporters. When BNP Paribas asked me to be the ambassador of the “We Are Tennis Fan Academy”, I did not hesitate for one moment! This project will be very positive for tennis in general, but also for players who like to feel supported, and above all for fans who will be able to support tennis like never before. I promise that this is just the beginning!” John McEnroe said.
From 4 to 20 June 2015, applicants will post a video on the website: they must imagine themselves in a tennis stadium and demonstrate all their supporter potential. The best, most inciting and enthusiastic supporters will be selected for the second step. On 22 June, they will have the privilege of attending a live interview with John McEnroe via the website. The most promising and convincing supporters will form the first intake of the “We Are Tennis Fan Academy” at the France vs. Britain quarter final of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas at Queen's Club in London.
Their time at the Academy will be spent in an absolutely unique training camp. The day before the first match, the fans will settle in at the Academy and will start training. They will learn from a variety of coaches, with lessons in singing, dancing and dressing-up on the programme. They will receive and learn to use a supporter kit designed for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas. Over the three days, they will bring their excitement to the mythical Queen's Club and embody the “Support Tennis Like Never Before” spirit.
The recruitment process for the “We Are Tennis Fan Academy” will continue throughout the year.
BNP Paribas aims to roll out the Academy for all of its different tournaments in order to get Super Fans ready to create fantastic atmospheres all over the world. At each event, the Group will seek to surprise and involve fans.
wearetennis.com - fans.wearetennis.com (unavailable link) - #WeAreTennis
About BNP Paribas and tennis
Today, BNP Paribas is the world’s number one tennis partner, a unique and historical commitment that began in 1973 encompassing all levels of tennis around the world: Professional tennis: Official sponsor of Roland Garros, Title sponsor of Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, Sponsor of 4 ATP Masters 1000 (BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells, Monte Carlo Rolex Masters, Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome and BNP Paribas Masters in Paris), Title sponsor of BNP Paribas WTA Finals in Singapore, Partner of the Bank of the West Classic (Stanford), Grand Prix Hassan II (Casablanca), Grand Prix SAR Princesse Lalla Meryem (Fès), Open 13 (Marseille), Moselle Open, BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open, AEGON Championships (London) and BNP Paribas Fortis Diamond Games (Antwerp).
- Exhibition tennis: BNP Paribas Showdown in New York, BNP Paribas Tennis Classic in Hurlingham.
- Wheelchair tennis: BNP Paribas Open de France, BNP Paribas World Team Cup.
- Tennis Academies and Rising Stars Tennis: Junior Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, Master'U BNP Paribas, BNP Paribas Cup, BNP Paribas National Tennis Academy in Ireland.
- Amateur tennis: Sponsor of the BNP Paribas Family Trophy, supporting more than 1,000 amateur tournaments worldwide, alongside more than 20 national tennis federations and dozens of charities such as Yannick Noah’s “Fête le Mur” association, as well as driving original social projects linked to tennis.
The wearetennis.com website and its social networks have been gathering tennis fans from all over the world to share the latest news from the ATP, WTA and ITF circuits for the past four years.
We Are Tennis also promotes innovative experiences and events on-site during the tournaments themselves.
We Are Tennis Solidaire is a charity initiative set in motion by BNP Paribas in 2012. Its purpose is to help renovate or create suitable reception areas and play spaces for children and young teenagers undergoing treatment in hospital and their family and friends, and regularly organise entertainment in hospitals and during tournaments to offer children some great tennis moments.
About BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas has operations in 75 countries and boasts more than 180,000 employees, including approximately 140,000 in Europe. It ranks highly in its two core activities: Retail Banking & Services (comprised of Domestic Markets and International Financial Services) and Corporate & Institutional Banking. In Europe, the Group has four domestic markets (Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg) and BNP Paribas Personal Finance is the leader in consumer lending. BNP Paribas is rolling out its integrated retail banking model across Mediterranean basin countries, in Turkey, in Eastern Europe and a large network in the western part of the United States. In its Corporate & Institutional Banking and International Financial Services activities, BNP Paribas also enjoys top positions in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas and solid and fast-growing businesses in Asia-Pacific.