The skies overhead were gloomy and heavy with rain but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the parents and children who came to celebrate the launch of the new West Bridgford Tennis Academy on Monday 11 June. Over 40 children and their parents attended and were rewarded with the chance of hitting with up and coming British Juniors Harriet Dart GB U16 National Junior Champion , Junior French Open Quarter Finalist and US Open Semi Finalist Kyle Edmund and ATP ranked player Scott Whitbread who has been a long serving member of the club. Throughout the evening players were given the opportunity to measure their service on the speed gun, and take part in a fun cardio session and a tennis specific fitness session.
The rain held off just long enough for a group of very excited children to release the balloons that marked the opening of this new venture which is committed to providing a high quality tennis experience for all the juniors at West Bridgford.
The club has been very fortunate to secure the services of John Black who will be responsible for the development of performance tennis in the Academy and Kevin Black (former elite Para trooper) as our Academy fitness trainer. John has recently moved back into Nottingham after spending a number of years working at an International High performance centre in the UK. This time away from the county also incorporated 20 weeks of International travel per year to different ITF Junior and Senior events. John’s tennis experience and Kevin’s fitness background can only enhance the development of players within the Academy and the area.
The event was supported by Andy Mcfeeters, Notts LTA Tennis Development Manager and by Helen Reesby, one of the LTA National Coaches and a member of the club. Helen commented on how supportive the club had been of her from a very young age and how delighted she was to see “Performance Tennis ‘ being given a high profile once again.
For further details of the Academy which is open to all standards, please contact the West Bridgford Tennis Manager, Lesley Whitehead on 0115 9811699 or email Lesley@west-bridgford-tennis-club.co.uk