Team Flybe, a group of players aged 8-10yrs with the aim of becoming the next Andy Murray, travelled to the West Hants High Performance Centre, Bournemouth for a two day training camp and a day of competition.
The team was made up of: Louis Davey (Tarka Tennis Centre), Matt Rutter, Daniel Mountford, Luke Aston Wilson, Jed Platts, Tynan Hill (Exeter Tennis Centre). Tommy Poli (ExmouthTennis & Fitness Centre), Robbie and Sammy Broomhead (Taunton Tennis Centre), Archie Graham ( Penzance Tennis Club), Jowan Rawson (Leverton Williams Tennis), Morgan Hill (Trinity School Teignmouth).
The players arrived on Sunday, ready for a 6 hour training session which excitingly was on clay - a special first for many of them. The following day followed a similar pattern and all the players clearly loved being pushed to the max. The improvement rate in the two days was obvious to all involved.
Team Flybe were up for the challenge when, on the third day, they took on West Hants in the inter team challenge. The 10 & Under green ball matches were close but West Hants took the lead. The 9 & Under orange ball matcjhes were a close battle. By the end of the singles matches it was all equal as the Team Flybe 9 & Under players for took the lead. As play started in the final round of doubles matches it was all to play for.
As in the last 2 years each team had had a win, it was decided that this time due to exceptional performances from Team Flybe, they should take the title for 2013.
Players nominated for special recognition were:
10 & Under most valuable player - Morgan Hill
10 & Under most improved player - Tynan Hill
9 & Under most valuable player - Louis Davey
9 & Under most improved player - Sammy Broomhead
The team was supported by coaches Si Huddart of Exeter, Thomas Leach of Total Tennis Learning and Myles Fletcher of Exmouth. The trip was co-ordinated and run by Debbie Hale the LTA Talent Performance Co-ordinator for Devon and Cornwall.
The West Hants Club in Bournemouth is a LTA accredited High Performance Centre with a high intensity, well-structured training programme and has produced a total of 15 national players. The Centre's under 11 programme and this training camp was lead by Shane Deacon.
Team Flybe is an initiative set up between Flybe and Devon and Cornwall LTAs to encourage young tennis players to achieve their potential. The support from Flybe offers great opportunities for players to travel away from home, experience life as a tennis player and experience different coaching and performance environments.
So far this sponsorship has seen a rise in national players from Devon and Cornwall.