The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER being a part of the community as a resident of Fort Bay since 2009, Lleyton Hewitt said he was delighted to carry a part of the Bahamas with him on the International Tennis Federation’s tour.

The former world No.1 Australian professional tennis player sported a Sands Beer logo on his jersey as he competed at both Wimbledon in London, England, and at the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York.

He first brought international awareness to the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage brands by wearing T-shirts with the Strong Back logo at the 2012 Australian Open press conference.

On Wednesday, Bahamian Brewery & Beverage, headed by the Sands family, along with some of their partners and friends, hosted Hewitt and his wife, Bec, and one of their three children, Ava, to a “thank you” luncheon at Luciano’s of Chicago.

“What makes us very proud is a Bahamian company, managed and operated by Bahamians, could have achieved so much,” Sands said.

“Hats off to us as a Bahamian company for making such an investment.”

Sands said they were honoured as a company to have the Bahamas showcased by such a world-class player at the US Open and Wimbledon.

The Bahamas was well represented,” he said. “We can’t repay Lleyton Hewitt for what he did for us by showcasing the Bahamas.”

Not in its sixth year of operation, Sands said this gesture will certainly only bring more recognition to their company and he publicly thanked all of the members of staff whom he’s had the pleasure of working with on a daily basis.

Marketing manager Lynden Johnson said they are more than elated to have Hewitt on hand to say thanks.

“He was not only highlighting Sands Beer, but the Bahamas as well because he was wearing the Bahamian colours,” Johnson said.

“So we’re extremely elated to be able to invite him (and his family) here today just to say thanks. “He hasn’t asked us for anything in return, but we appreciate the fact that he has not only adopted the Bahamas as his second home, but he’s looking at ways in which he can become an integral part. So when this opportunity was presented to us by one of the sons of one of our directors, Nicholas Mosko, we jumped at it.”

Hewitt, who presented Sands with one of the shirts that was designed by Nicholas with the company’s logo on it, said had it not been for his affiliation with former Bahamian touring pro Mark Knowles, none of the publicity that he provided for the Bahamas would have been possible.

“Coming from Australia, we drink a little bit of alcohol, so it was no problem to wear the logo,” Hewitt said. “Obviously, I’m at the age where I can drink a little without any reservations. So having the logo on my shirt was not a problem at all.”

As he prepares to return to Australia to begin his 2014 campaign at the Australian Open in January, Hewitt said he intends to continue to sport the logo as he continues to bring more awareness to the local beer company as well as the Bahamas.