From coaching kids at the Wimbledon Bridge Club, to guiding England's youngest team to international success, Giorgio Provenza has certainly had an eventful few years.

Shortly after moving over here from Italy in 2005, Mr Provenza had joined the club and was quickly in charge of all the teaching activities at the club.

He has taught the game to hundreds of people in the decade-plus since then and no walks on the Common go by without him coming across some former or present students or a fellow bridge players.

Last year he took the role as coach of England’s youngest team of bridge players, the Under 16s, and has already guided this group of players from around the country to a silver medal in a recent international competition.

The focus is now on the World Championships in China as the team completed its preparations for the competition with a final training session.

Mr Provenza said he is looking forward not only to the championships, but to finding the next crop of stars to come out of Wimbledon.

“The club is thriving," he said.“

"I confident some of the pupils will soon make the international team.

"Bridge is a wonderful activity for people of all ages, not only for the mental challenge it offers, but for the opportunities for socialising and friendship that comes from playing in partnerships, and in a team."