Sir Simon Day, the Devon LTA President, presented the County Awards at the AGM & Awards evening held at the Buckerell loadge Hotel, Exeter on 28th Jnauary.
A special presentation was made to Will McNally, Director of Tennis at Exeter Tennis Centre. Will has for many years been a County Cup captain and also a member of the Devon LTA Council responsible for Junior Performance but has decided to now step down. David Vinall, County Chairman, expressed the County's appreciation for all Will had contributed over the years and we wish him well.
The first awards of the evening were the County Colours given to those players who have represented the County many times either as a junior or a senior.
Junior Colours were awarded to Isabella Brown and Lewie Parker whilst Senior Colours went to Sue Wiltshire, Kendal Brown and Rachel Williams.
This was followed by the County Awards.
10 & Under Player of the Year (nominated by clubs & coaches)
Nominees: Julian Hayter (Westward Ho!), Sebastian Linnitt (Teignmouth TC), Jed Platts (Teignmouth TC), Victoria Syms (Teignmouth TC).
Winner: Ben Johnson (Exmouth Tennis & Fitness Centre) 2014 was a great year for Ben. He is the 9 & Under County Champion and won numerous grade 3 tournaments and reached the semi finals in grade 2 national tournaments before becoming the 9 & Under Nike Summer National Tour Champion, a fantastic achievement. However, just as important is the fact that his coach has said that he is a great athlete, an exceptionally hard worker and a pleasure to coach!
Junior Player of the Year (nominated by clubs & coaches)
Nominees: Abbi Skelley (South Devon Tennis Centre), Emma Hurst (Exmouth Tennis & Fitness Centre & Seaton TC), Olga Diavastis (David Lloyd Exeter), Beth Cooper (Teignmouth TC, Emily Syms (Teignmouth TC)
Winner: Emerson Styles (Westward Ho! TC) Emerson has been County Champion at his age group and usually the one above too, for the last few years. Not only has he demonstrated his talent as a junior, representing the County consistently in County Cups, but also now in the senior County team. Perhaps his finest moment in 2014 was to take on and defeat a player rated 1:1 in the Aegon Winter County Cup. He has gained respect through still remaining loyal to his club and area, continuing to play in local competitions in north Devon and supporting younger players. He is an excellent role model and the County is pleased to reward such a deserving candidate.
Senior Player of the Year (nominated by clubs & coaches and Team Captains)
Nominees: Rhys Dunford (South Devon Tennis Centre), Alfie Flatters (David Lloyd), Emerson Styles Tarka/Westward Ho!), Paul Ley (Westward Ho!, Jack Findel-Hawkins (Exeter Tennis Centre), Oskar Wynne (Exeter Tennis Centre), Linden Hardisty (VA Devonshire), Andy Norton (Exeter Tennis Centre), Dan Ahl.
Winner: Jo Louis (Exmouth Tennis & Fitness Centre) Rarely a year passes when Jo doesn’t achieve a medal or high ranking championship win of some sort and 2014 was no different. She is the current over 45s national grass court champion and, a long standing GB representative, she was again part of the GB team that won gold at the Seniors World Team Championships 2014.
Young Coach of the Year (nominated by clubs)
Nominees: Aidan Robson (Exeter Tennis Centre), James Temple (Exeter Golf & Country Club), David Taylor (Exmouth Tennis & Fitness Centre).
Winner: Tom Vinall (Westward Ho!). Tom has been involved in tennis all his life and at a young age he took on a full organisational and development role in his club. He not only took on an active coaching role but he has also established a schools programme and a summer holiday programme, both of which benefit the club greatly. He also encouraged other juniors to take their assistant coach qualifications so building the club’s workforce. He has always sought to develop himself and others and always strived to increase participation in the sport wherever he is and works tirelessly to do so.
Coach of the Year (nominated by clubs)
Nominees: Jon Triggs (Westward Ho!), Liam Storey (Exmouth Tennis & Fitness Centre)
Winner: Derek Blackmore (Exmouth Tennis & Fitness Centre). Derek’s enthusiasm and commitment to his players is second to none. He travels to tournaments to support them, often at his own expense and time spent communicating with players and parents is often in his own time. He is also a great mentor to some of the younger coaches at the Centre. Since joining the Centre Derek’s influence and contribution has been greatly beneficial and the fact that a player he coaches is a national champion is no surprise. With over 40 years of coaching under his belt, to still be this committed is outstanding.
Volunteer of the Year
All the volunteers nominated work tirelessly for their clubs or leagues and their contribution is vital to the continued success of their organisation. Volunteers are a disappearing breed and so we feel it is vital that these unsung heroes are recognised and thanked for all they do.
Nominees:
Tom Slack (Exeter G&CC) – Tom has demonstrated his commitment to his club, regularly, willingly and freely turning out to support the coaching team, take part in all activities and actively encouraging and assisting his peers and all this at the age of 15.
Jeff Haynes (Exeter Tennis Centre) – Jeff saw a need and offered his services some 4 years ago. He has successfully run over 35 cycles of Exeter’s box leagues, doubling numbers participating as the reputation for a well run tournament has spread.
Graham Mallin (Teignmouth TC) – Graham goes above and beyond to support club events and club developments. He supports every open day, provides essential assistance to new members and is a great men’s team captain.
Lorna Hitt (Budleigh Salterton) – Lorna helps run the Sunday morning junior coaching, the junior tournament and many other aspects of the running of the club. She plays an important role as junior secretary in the club’s development.
Verity Robinson (Kingsbridge) – Though only recently joined, Verity has made a huge difference to the club having taken on board the club’s aims to increase membership but more importantly inclusivity. She has worked tirelessly and has been a key driver in implementing change and increasing membership by 37% in 6months.
Maureen Sowerby (Torquay & Leagues) – Maureen is one of the hardest working senior players in the County, not just for her club but for her league and her County team. She is a County team player and captain, the Exeter & District league match secretary and an integral member of the Torquay Tennis Club committee with responsibility for fixtures and assisting with the Torbay Open. With all these huge demands on her, Maureen still finds time to support others, offering valuable assistance through her vast tennis knowledge and experience.
Sue Hunter (North Devon LTA) – Sue has been at the forefront of North Devon tennis for over a decade and has given a massive amount of time and attention to all aspects of the organisation of the competitive tennis in the area. She was the area representative at the Devon LTA Council from 2007 to 2104 on top of her local commitments and carried out all her roles efficiently, dealing with people and situations, no matter how demanding, in a sympathetic manner with a dash of humour.
Winner: Impossible not to reward years of dedication to tennis in Devon and impossible to choose between them, so the Volunteer of the Year for 2014 was jointly awarded to Maureen and Sue.
Club of the Year
Nominations are made by the 4 leagues and voted on by the Devon LTA Management Committee.
Nominees:
Ilfracombe TC (North Devon League) – the club has in recent years worked hard to develop its junior programme to benefit the local community. With a strong focus on schools programmes and junior retention through maintaining winter and summer programmes, camps and performance groups the club is being provided with a strong base for the future. Adults are also well catered for and the club runs a successful and growing summer grade 4 tournament.
Hemyock TC (Exeter & District) – is a small 3 court village club which despite the limitations has recently made great strides with a vastly increased junior programme and improved facilities both of which will stand the future of the club in good stead.
South Devon Tennis Centre (Plymouth & District) – Working with the Tennismad coaching team, recent successes are the schools programme, their Great British Tennis Weekend and their two annual tournaments. The club is always reviewing and revising its offer to attract new members and offer excellent programmes to its members. It supports the County in everything it does.
Victoria Park Bridge & Tennis Club (East Devon League) – With a strong adult and junior membership this is a thriving club continually moving forward. Latest plans include making the club more accessible with better clubhouse, disabled access and facilities. The club provides juniors with a good coaching programme and the opportunity to gain league experience. Summer 2014 saw the ladies team become division 1 champions whilst other teams had a successful season too.
The Club of the Year 2014 was awarded to Victoria Park
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees