In an expansion of Flybe’s long established Mini Masters’ series that supports and encourages grass-roots tennis in Devon and Cornwall, more than 60 of Devon and Cornwall’s youngest promising tennis players came together on Sunday (1st February) for the new Flybe Team Challenge at the Virgin Active Devonshire Club in Plymouth.
The children, aged between six and eight-years-old, took part in the inter-club, mini red ball tennis competition. Playing a mixture of singles and doubles, 16 teams took part in challenges at two different levels. The Novice challenge was won by players from Torquay Tennis Club after a tough game against opponents from Heron Tennis Centre in Newquay. The title for more experienced participants was won by the team from Tarka Tennis Centre in Barnstaple after a nail-biting match against players from host club, Virgin Active Devonshire.
Martin Smith, Flybe’s Director of Marketing commented: “The Flybe Team Challenge is a new addition to our Mini Masters Circuit, and we’re really pleased with the support that it received. We’re passionate about supporting and encouraging young tennis players throughout Devon and Cornwall and so it was great to see so many youngsters taking an interest in this new event.
“For many of the children taking part, the Flybe Team Challenge was the first time they had played in a competition, so we hope that the opportunity to play as part of a team in such a friendly and supportive environment was a fantastic experience for them.”
Hilary Webster, Lawn Tennis Association Councillor from Tennis Cornwall, said: “The Flybe Team Challenge was a really great day and so obviously enjoyed by all involved, including the parents. I think it will be a fantastic event to keep in the Flybe calendar as being part of a team made the competition fun. It is a great way to bring mini red ball players into the game and incentivise coaches and clubs to develop their own programmes.”
Flybe’s support of grassroots tennis in Devon and Cornwall through its Mini Masters Circuit dates back to 2009 and the initiative has been extremely successful in encouraging many young children to take up tennis as an extra-curricular activity.