The Midlands’ largest international tennis tournament, the Aegon Classic, is asking school children to help design a new Tournament mascot.
Arty children across the West Midlands are being urged to get involved in a school art competition to design their very own tennis mascot and support fundraising for local charity, Help Harry Help Others.
Staged in the heart of Birmingham, the Aegon Classic is one the of the UK’s major warm-up tournaments ahead of The Championships, Wimbledon. Offering the chance to see some of the world’s top international female tennis players, this prestigious tournament is returning to Birmingham’s Edgbaston Priory Club from the 9th to the 16th June .
As well as seeing their design displayed at the tournament, the child who draws the winning picture will also be a mascot at the Grand Opening of the new Centre Court on Sunday 9th June standing alongside two great champions of the past. Not only that, but the winning child will also win tennis equipment for themselves and their school.
A further four deserving runners up will also win tickets for their family (2 adults and 2 children) to attend on Sunday 9th June as well as an equipment pack for themselves and their school.
To enter, children simply need to draw a picture of their mascot and write a brief description about their character, including any special powers they may have.
Lawrence Robertson, Commercial Director for the LTA, said: “We know tennis is a popular sport with kids across the Midlands, so we wanted to give them the chance to get involved with an important year for the Aegon Classic as we open our new Centre Court for the first time.
“As well as this, we are delighted to be working closely with the charity Help Harry Help Others and through the tournament we hope to help raise vital funds for them.”
Georgina Moseley, Chairman and Founder of Help Harry Help Others said; “We’re really excited to have been announced at the Official charity for the Aegon Classic this year. We’re really looking forward to working together to continue to the inspiring work Harry started.
“Just 1% of national spend is on brain tumours, and with more children dying from this type of cancer than any other, we hope that through our fundraising we can change these statistics. So much of our work is about inspiring children the way Harry did, so it seems right that kids are playing such a big role in making this event something we as a community can all be proud to be a part of.”
“It would be great if some of the mascots the children draw are wearing Harry’s bracelets!”
The LTA, the tournament organisers and Help Harry Help Others will also select a second child who has been affected by cancer to line-up alongside the Legends to giving them a day they won’t forget.
The judges will be looking for the most colourful and inspiring entries and the competition is open to children aged between 5 and 11 years old.
Entry packs can be printed via this link or requested from Aegon Classic c/o WPR, 43 Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 1TS.
All entries must be received by Friday 22 March. The winner and runner-ups will be notified w/c 15 April.