Due to the ever growing popularity of Halton School Games Competitions, the recent Year 3/4 Mini Red Tennis competition was delivered over two sessions throughout Thursday 8th May 2014. The competition was delivered in partnership with and hosted by Widnes Tennis Academy.
The aim of the festival was to introduce pupils to the competitive element of tennis at the same time having fun and enjoying the sport with the desired outcome that pupils would continue to take part in the sport outside of school and join the club. Alison Redman (Manager), Andrew Beswick (Coach) and Tony Green (Head Coach) from Widnes Tennis Academy delivered the competition on the day and provided all pupils with information on further coaching sessions available at the Club. Junior members of Widnes Tennis Academy from Wade Deacon and Bankfield School provided great support and took on the role of umpiring the matches to ensure the smooth running of the competition.
Mini Tennis Red is for players aged 8 and under and made up of teams of 4 pupils (2 boys and 2 girls). It is played on small courts with short rackets and soft balls. It’s just like the real game and gives players opportunities to have long rallies and play different types of shots.
In total 100 pupils participated and benefitted from the experience of competing in this local specialist sporting venue at this Halton School Games competition. Schools participating in the morning competition were St Gerards, Ditton, Spinney Avenue, St Bedes Jr and Oakfield (12 Teams). The afternoon saw the following schools competing, Moorfield, Lunts Heath, Farnworth, Victoria Road, St Martins and Windmill Hill (14Teams)
The morning session saw a closely fought final of matches between Ditton and Spinney Avenue Primary. This resulted in Ditton being crowned winners and Spinney Avenue being awarded runners up.
The afternoon provided a competitive final between Lunts Heath Team 5 and St Martins who went on to be crowned winners.
To identify the overall Halton Champions the winning teams, St Martins and Ditton Primary, will be invited to attend a final at Widnes Tennis Academy with the overall winning school being invited to represent Halton at the Merseyside School Games on Fri 4th July at Wavertree Sports Park, Liverpool.
All pupils received a certificate of participation with the winners and runners up were presented with a medal.
Karen Drake
Halton School Games Organiser