;

6th July 2001

A hot date awaits Scout Michael Brown on Sunday, July 8. For the 16-year-old Scout will be stepping out proudly onto Centre Court charged with tossing the coin to decide which player serves first in the Wimbledon Tennis Championship Men's Final.

And sporting the Scouts' new-look uniform - one of the first in the country to do so - he's all set to score game, set and match in the world of Scouting.

A Patrol Leader with the 133rd Bristol Special Needs Scout Group, where he's been a member for two years, Michael has also been selected to be one of 3,000 Scouts from the UK to attend the 20th World Scout Jamboree in Thailand. Over 30,000 Scouts from around the world will gather at the event to be held at a beach resort in December 2002.

This is the second year young people from nominated charities have been asked to perform the coin tossing ceremony. Michael from St Anne's, Bristol, will be assisted in his all-important duty by the Championships Referee Alan Mills and the match umpire. After the formalities, he will watch the finals, accompanied by his mother, Dawn, and also his Scout Leader Chris Jones. Their day also includes lunch and tea in the Competitors' Restaurant.

Michael said: "I'm looking forward to it. I play myself and might even pick up some tips! And I like to play football."

Tim Phillips of the All England Club and The Championships said: "We are delighted that once again, deserving young people will have the chance to help us with this important part of the Finals arrangements. We hope they and their companions have a thoroughly memorable day.

HRH The Duke of Kent, the Club's President nominated a representative of The Scout Association of which he also President.