This Sunday Mosaic mentee Omar Popal, from Westminster Academy, represented The Prince’s Trust performing the prestigious coin toss ceremony at this year’s Gentlemen’s Single Final between tennis royalty Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
The coins that were used for the coin tosses at this year’s Championships’ Finals have travelled to space and back with NASA astronaut Drew Feustel.
Commander Feustel watched from the Royal Box at The Championships 2017 alongside his wife Indira and fellow astronaut Tim Peake, and it was then that he and Philip Brook CBE, Chairman of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), came up with the idea to take something from Wimbledon with him aboard his six-month long mission.
Prince’s Trust were nominated by the Wimbledon Foundation, the official charity of the All England Club and The Championships.
Brook CBE, Chairman of the AELTC, commented:
Wimbledon has a long and rich history, and this new expedition is very symbolic for us. From year to year, there is so much change. It is a constant, continual improvement, for both the players and the Club. The journey of the coins, as reflected in our new film, and the young people we select to perform the coin toss, symbolise our collective pursuit of greatness – and we are thrilled to be showcasing this amazing story for this year’s Finals.
Philip Brooke CBE – Chairman of the AELTC
Helen Parker, Head of the Wimbledon Foundation, said:
One of the Wimbledon Foundation’s core goals is developing young people. Regenerate and the Prince’s Trust are two organisations whose mission is to help young people to fulfil their potential and we are delighted to be able to give Omar, and [The Prince’s Trust], this amazing opportunity to take centre stage at The Championships.
Helen Parker, Head of the Wimbledon Foundation
Rozzy Amos, Regional Director of the Prince’s Trust, said:
Omar took part in our Enterprise Challenge which helps young people increase their aspirations, confidence and self-motivation by having effective mentors. Omar has been able to demonstrate that with a bit of support, a bit of encouragement and a relatable role model, how much you can overcome some of the challenges that young people face today.
Rozzy Amos – Regional Director, The Prince’s Trust
Fourteen year old Omar took part in the Enterprise Challenge programme with his team reaching the regional finals in London, representing the top 5 schools in the region. Since completing the programme Omar has continued to remain involved with Mosaic; interviewing the Mayor of London last year at The Prince’s Trust Annual Mosaic Iftar.
Speaking of the incredible opportunity, Senior Head of Mosaic and Community Integration, Nizam Uddin said:
Our programmes help assert the idea that spaces like Wimbledon shouldn’t be exceptional and viewed solely from afar, but accessible irrespective of background and circumstance – should he or others wish that to be the case. It was such a special day for him and his family. Our hope is that he becomes a role model in his own right to his peers, and instills in them a new sense of aspiration.
Nizam Uddin – Senior Head of Mosaic and Community Integration, The Prince’s Trust
