Earlier this month saw Heron's "Staying Alive" Family Fun Day, part of Newquay Carnival week. The day raised £1,133 towards buying a defibrillator for Heron and Trenance Leisure Park users.
There was brilliant sunshine for an action packed fun day, which included the Len Skade Generation Tournament where children partnered parents in friendly doubles matches. Pairings played doubles on smaller courts with slower balls in the B event and for the older children, their parent and child matches were on the full size courts with slightly slower balls to help even the standard and allow for non-reglar players to have as much fun as seasoned players.
There was also friendly adult doubles games organised by Warren, Heron men's B team captain. Following the competition, some of the older juniors and adults tested their serve speeds whilst the younger children played fun games with the fun day's organiser and Heron coach, Steve Graves. All the children were given goodie bags after their tennis courtesy of Sainsbury's.
Jayne and her Courtside Cafe team served Pimms with strawberries and cream and following the "Happy Hour", we were given a demonstration of how the defibrillator works by Gary Barlow from Front Line Emergency Equipment Trust.
Winner of this year's Len Skade Generation Tournament Trophy, named after the former Newquay Lion who devoted much time and effort to help fundraise for the town, was Genevieve Booth. Genevieve, our youngest competitor on the day, embraced playing matches alongside her Dad, joined in the fun with all the older children and had a big smile on her face! She was presented with the trophy by Dennis Dent, current Newquay Lion.
The joint winning teams of the Generation Tournament were Tina Hannaford with Milo Odonahue and Ali with Alex Johnson. Runners-up were Robbie Hampshaw with his nephew Blake.
The fastest junior serves were recorded by Milo Odonahue with a speed of 56 m.p.h. and Maisy Combellack with a serve of 44 m.p.h.
Following the prize-giving, Paul Rees, Newquay Councillor and former Royal Marine, ran the raffle and auction. Raffle prizes were kindly donated by Heron members and Newquay friends. They included tickets to MTV Crashes concert, Yoshimi Hair Salon, Newquay Physio Practice, Trees Nail & Beauty Cabin, Lush Cosmetics and private lessons with all the Heron coaches. The auction included a dinner for 2 at Watergate Bay Hotel's Zacry's and 1 night B & B at Lewinnick Lodge. The auction prizes went for £220 and £270 respectively and went a long way to help raise the funds needed for the defib machine.
It truly was a special day and all for a very good cause! All the staff at Heron would like to thank Newquay Lions, Sainsbury's, raffle ticket sellers Ann and Tracey, auctioneer Paul and social doubles organiser Warren. Special thanks and appreciation to all our raffle prize givers, and particular mention to Pixie from Watergate Bay's Zacry's and Dan from Lewinnick Lodge for their very generous auction gifts. *We are still short of our target so if any readers would like to donate, please call Heron on 01637 877555 or pop into Heron's reception. For more information about any aspect of Heron's social activities, its junior programme (after school, weekend and school holiday sessions), our Ace Academy programme for aspiring and committed players, our adult programme (club nights, daytime, evening and weekend sessions, Cardio Tennis), and for enquiries about our wheelchair and disability programme, please contact us on 01637 877555 or pop into reception to speak to a friendly member of staff. You can find us on Facebook: Heron Tennis and Ace Tennis Coaching & Academy, and Twitter: Heron & Ace Tennis, and our website is www.heron-tennis.co.uk.
Steven Askey
Director of Coaching & Head Coach,
Ace Tennis Coaching & Academy and the Heron Tennis Centre