The Eleventh Academy Awards were presented in the Clubhouse to the junior players involved in Tennace GXLTC Bull Lane’s Academy and Tennace Performance Mini Tennis. Everyone had a great evening; celebrating 2013 and re living the tumultuous final game of Andy Murray’s Wimbledon win! Whilst watching the video Andy emphasised certain tactical, technical and emotional elements.
Director and Head Professional Andy Scholfield thanked treasurer Amanda Hobbs, parents, players, and tennace Coaching Team James Martin, Alex Allen, Tom Smith and Alison Sharp; an excellent tennace coaching team available to all levels of players. Tennace GXLTC Acadedemy continues to help subsidise younger performance players with a new Aspirantes Programme initiated in September 2012. GXLTC Academy and Mini Tennis Performance Squads offer a great opportunity for players to progress to a higher level but they must have the desire to seize the opportunity to play as often as possible. It was not coincidence that the main awards went to players who compete and train the most ! This is the 12th year of the Academy and has been a year of re-growth, with more playing opportunities many more tournaments and an exciting new Coaching Team. The new Junior Ambassador is James McCord (18 John Hampden school). He is an excellent role model for the club having trained at the Club for over 9 years. He has represent the Club at all levels from Aegon Team Tennis, Bucks County Shield and junior age group teams. He now assists with coaching and is currently taking his level 2 LTA course. Henry Hunt (11, St Marys Beaconsfield), Manasi Kumar (11 St Joseph’s School), Aisling McCarthy (14 Dr Challoners High School) and Richard Biondini (17 Wycombe Grammar School) won ‘Best Intensity in training’. The more intense players are in training the quicker they will improve !
Male Player of the year was Dan Buckeldee who played consistently well in all tournaments during 2013. Molly Hawker was the female player of the year. The Best Team Category was outstanding this year with TEN teams becoming County division winners: under 18 boys, under 14 girls, under 12 girls, under 12 boys, Green (under 10), Orange (under 9 two teams) and Red (under 8) teams: Hari Middleton (14) achieved most improved player; Aneka Patel (Maltmans Green) competed in 199 matches and Louis Basnayake competed in 215 matches won Tournament most committed performers. Mini Tennis awards were presented to over 18 players in categories for ‘Most Committed’, Best Effort in training’ and Most improved. However andy emphasised the coaches were delighted with all players efforts ! Tennace GXLTC Academy will continue to evolve with many tournament tours organised for 2014, at Easter players will compete in Grade 3 tournaments Maidenhead and Rickmansworth. The tennace at GXLTC club opportunities have also increased with the Aegon Team Tennis starting in April, One Day tournaments, Road to Wimbledon and Club Championships starting after Easter.
All players were presented with free T shirts at the end of the Awards.