Anguilla Tennis Academy Staff
Marvin Hazell, Assistant Pro
Date of Birth: 10/14/83
Origin: Anguillian
Marvin is a born Anguillian and developed a love for tennis at a young age. He began learning the game at the age of 8 at Cap Juluca Hotel under the late Bill Hagimas, who was then the head pro. As a direct result, Marvin has remained within the world of tennis all his life. He joined the after school program which was run by Mr. Eric Martineau, a major figure in developing tennis on the island, and continued to grow and learn the "ins and outs" of the wonderful game.
Later on, in 1996, the Anguilla Tennis Academy began its work enriching the lives of young children on the small island paradise which Marvin became a part of immediately. The Academy helped him tremendously to grow not only in his tennis game but also as a respectable member of society. He was runner up of the first ever Anguilla Tennis Academy Summer Tournament and later on represented Anguilla at the Coca Cola Championship tournament in St. Lucia at the age of 16. He was then runner up in the Anguilla National Tennis Tournament in 2006. Marvin definitely showed that he was capable of achieving much through tennis.
He began his first tennis job as a hitting partner at Cuisinart Resort and later on moved into the field of Information Technology to which he excelled. He worked part time for the ATA while doing so, coaching in the newly formed after school program where he gained invaluable experience in learning how to teach the sport. In 2006 he accepted the formal role of Head Tennis Instructor for the after school program and continued to impact the lives of the children he taught and with the further input and coaching from others such as Mitchelle Lake, Jason Allen, Bill Riddle and Chris Wade he has become a well rounded coach for the Academy.
He has since moved to the United Kingdom to pursue further studies, but while there connected with the Birmingham City Tennis Club where he became a sensation with the children and adults alike there. Working alongside fellow Caribbean, Lawrence Douglin from Barbados, he gained more experience which has helped to broaden his skills in an entirely different environment which he believes will be a great asset for future development with the children of the ATA. He will be returning to Anguilla upon completion of his IT course in July this year, just in time for the annual ATA Summer Camp and about his experience in the UK he said, "I'm so grateful for the opportunity to further my academics and expand on my tennis teaching skills but all the while Anguilla has been on my mind and I can't wait to return and be a part of the Academy and the young kids' lives.
Marvin enjoys music, both singing and listening, playing other sports such as basketball, volleyball and football and enjoys art as well as reading. His favourite tennis player currently is Novak Djokovic who he notes is an inspiration to others with his solid work ethic and determination to play at his best at all times.
