Bermudian tennis player and coach Evan Heyliger has been appointed to the prestigious position of International Tennis Federation development officer for the Caribbean.

Heyliger, who starts his new role on January 26, takes over from John Goede, of Surinam, and the 26-year-old will be in charge of development programmes in 20 Central America and Caribbean countries, including Bermuda.

“Starting this month, Evan Heyliger of Bermuda will assume the role of ITF development officer for the Caribbean, taking over from John Goede who had been in position since 2015,” the ITF announced on Thursday.

“Heyliger, who is fluent in English and Spanish, is a Level 2 ITF-certified coach with extensive experience within this field, while he is also a certified personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach and nutritionist.

“Since 2014, Heyliger has worked as a tennis coach with the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association while more recently he has been a national junior tennis coach with the federation, working with his nation's most talented youngsters.”

Commenting on his appointment, Heyliger expressed his commitment to driving the growth of tennis in countries under his wing.

“It is a real privilege to be appointed as the ITF Development Officer for the Caribbean and I am looking forward to getting started and making a difference across the region,” Heyliger said.

“I bring energy, positivity and dedication to every opportunity and I intend to bring this to the table as I contribute to the ongoing development of tennis across the Caribbean.

“My whole career has centred around developing athletes and helping them to become smarter, healthier, happier and more skilful. I want to bring these qualities to the role of ITF development officer and make a difference on a wider scale.”

Luca Santilli, the ITF’s executive director of tennis development, described Heyliger as gifted and capable of taking tennis in the region to higher levels.

“We are incredibly excited to work with Evan as tennis across the Caribbean continues to grow and develop,” Santilli added.

“Evan is a very talented individual who knows the region well. We cannot wait to see him build upon the excellent work done by John Goede and take tennis development across the Caribbean to new heights.”

Meanwhile, Michael Wolfe, the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association president, has applauded Heyliger for securing the ITF job.

“On behalf of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association, it is with a profound sense of pride and excitement that I congratulate Evan Heyliger on his appointment as the ITF development officer for the Caribbean,” Wolfe said.

“Having personally watched Evan’s journey from a determined junior player on our courts to an ITF Level 2 certified coach, now to this prestigious global role, his trajectory has been nothing short of inspiring.

“Evan has been a pillar of the BLTA’s Coaching organisation, serving as a national junior coach and helping to shape the next generation of Bermudian talent.

“To see him now take that expertise to the world stage — overseeing development across the entire Caribbean — is an historic moment for Bermuda tennis.

“This appointment is a testament to Evan's personal growth, his relentless work ethic and his deep-seated passion for the game.

“As BLTA president, it has been a privilege to witness his transition from an athlete to a leader. Evan has always brought a unique energy and positivity to his work, and I have no doubt he will be a transformative force for tennis development in our region.

“He embodies the energy and positivity that leaves us with no doubt that he will take the sport to new heights across the region.”