TEAM Flybe is a new initiative created by Devon and Cornwall LTA with the support of Lucie Ahl. TEAM Flybe is to support players in a full time training programme, committing to the Flybe Mini Master Circuit and weighted to those competing regionally and nationally.
Flybe will offer 8 player places to fly with Lucie Ahl to a High Performing Tennis Centre to allow the players to train with similar or National based players, train and compete as a team. TEAM Flybe will run trips for Orange and Green Ball. Lucie Ahl will be running tournament support at local grade 2 events and running training camps. The TEAM will be selected for a season and then refreshed.
The experience of allowing players to look into the future and recognise what a life in tennis may consist of, responsibility of packing and preparing for a tournament away from home, pre and post match preparation, travelling individually or as a team.
Lucie and Debbie took a team of 8 Players split between Devon and Cornwall with a mix of boys and girls to Jersey. The Ceaserean Tennis Club which has most of the Channel Islands best tennis players hosted the weekend event.
The players met at Exeter Airport very excited and pumped to win, many players not travelling without parents for the first time or even staying overnight this was going to test the players. We checked everyone in and said goodbye to the parents and waited in the Departure Lounge. We did receive special treatment as we were having a photoshoot in front of and on the FLYBE Plane taking us to Jersey.
Within 40 minutes we had arrived in Jersey and keen to head a see the club. The club was centred in St Helier a lively club with great participation of all ages and with the sun shining we were looking forward to great few days.
We headed to our accommodation an activity centre, newly refurbished with ideal rooms for all the players the 5 boys sharing a 8 bed bunk room. The first task was for the boys to make their bed.
With the excitement of travelling, being away from home, competing the next day, boys will be boys and got to sleep quite late.
The following morning was an early start, earlier than most expected with the boys waking up by 5.45. We had breakfast for 8am and fitness session starting at 8.45am.
Fitness was tough but all players worked well and understood waking up the body getting it energised ready for the rest of the day activities.
Tennis started at 10am with a little detour trying to find the club, we introduced our selves to the Jersey Team and set about with training.
The Jersey and Flybe Team worked together and in training enjoyed playing with different players. Training was tactical based working on consistency, building the point, chasing every ball basket drill and serve and return over the two days from 10-12 the players worked extremely hard and learnt a lot from these sessions.
After lunch it was competition time, each team had 15 minutes to ensure they were fully warmed up physically, mentally and technically.
On Saturday we ran a round robin format of which TEAM Flybe took home 18 rubbers. With a positive to the first day we headed back to the hostel and cooled down with team games.
On Sunday morning the team were up very early again by 6am, the bags were packed and in the car ready for the airport, the kids ready still feeling positive regardless of Jersey bringing in a couple of re-enforcements.
Training started 10-12 with all players working hard and enjoying the sun the drills and banter with Jersey but after lunch it was the final round.
The final round
We ran a team singles match like Davis Cup and Fed Cup where each team seed their players in order to compete against the same number.
This was a tough decision as the players Jersey had brought were strong and potentially going to cause us damage.
With a good lead from yesterday the team were positive and ready to win.
The team:
Green : Oscar Pringle and Janner Bindiren
Orange: Dan Hocking, Will Daniell, Sam Hopper,
The Fed Cup:
Roo Woodleigh Smith, Aimee Polyblank and Beth Cooper
With the tournament underway, TEAM Flybe got off to a bad start losing 3 rubbers in a row, with a great win from Aimee to stop the run. Followed by Sam Hopper winning we had caught up but not for long. Another 3 rubbers passed to Jersey and Captain Lucie Ahl was feeling anxious “our boys have definitely learnt they need to rest and get a good nights sleep” however the girls all having very close matches and just missing out on a few rubbers with Beth Cooper not feeling very well the girls Aimee and Roo played the doubles rubber and with great success won 7-2. the green ball players Caner and Oscar were having great matches with Jersey no 1 Peter Steiner and Natasha who is Caroline Wozniacki twin. Our boys fell to the green team. The Orange team Dan Hocking and Will Daniell had 3 set matches and Will coming back from 6-2 down to win 8-6 became a life saving match.
The overall score
Saturday – JERSEY – 4 TEAM Flybe – 18
Sunday – JERSEY – 16 TEAM Flybe - 4
TEAM Flybe took the competition 22-20 narrowly winning.
The event was fantastic, great support from the club and its members, all the players became friends and enjoyed the two days tennis.
After a celebration ice cream with the sun still shining we headed off to the airport to return home. With a quick stop at Guernsey and tennis quiz on the plane. With interviews of the team and a summary from Lucie on the performance, the parents were eagerly waiting in the arrival lounge.
“With a glow on your faces and big smiles”. The trip was a great success and all the players can’t wait for the next one. Julie Treneer.