The 1st & 2nd of September saw some of Devon and Cornwall’s talented young tennis players battle it out on the court to become Flybe Mini Masters’champions. Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, has become a long-term supporter of grassroots tennis in the region, with many young players benefiting from the airline’s continued involvement.
The event, held at the South Devon Tennis Centre, Ivybridge, saw nearly 40 promising tennis stars aged between six and ten compete for the finals of the summer series. Winners went home with their own Flybe Mini Masters’ trophy, as well as a tennis master class with Lucie Ahl, the former British Women’s Number one tennis player and Flybe ambassador which took place on the 8th and 9th September.
The matches were incredibly close but this year’s champions were:
- Green ball title (9-10 years) – Winner Devon County Champion Sam Hopper, runner-up Will Daniel who narrowly lost out after a third set match tie break
- Orange ball title (8- 9 years) – Winner Sebastian Stanbury–Flood from Devon, runner up Ellen Calverley, the first Cornish girl to reach the final, who was inspired by the recent success of her favourite player, Laura Robson
- Red ball title (under 8’s) – Winner Sammy Whitelegg from Newquay, runner up Benedict Stanbury-Flood, who is Sebastian’s younger brother
Simon Lilley, Directed of Marketing at Flybe, added: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to play a key role in giving the region’s budding tennis players the opportunity to further their dreams in becoming a future Wimbledon tennis star. Both the winter and summer Mini Masters’ series have given talented young sportspeople from throughout Devon and Cornwall the opportunity to experience competitive tennis. It’s been a real privilege to help raise the profile of junior tennis and the popularity of our Mini Masters’ series has resulted in a heartening growth in volume and quality of young players taking up the game.”
Georgina Loosemore, LTA Tennis Development Manager, commented: “What a fantastic weekend of tennis, it was amazing to see everyone playing so well, and enjoying taking part. All the children here are aged under 10 years, with the youngest being just 6 years old, so their understanding of the game and their sportsmanship is highly commendable. Each season the standard of tennis just gets better and better, and it’s a credit to the players and coaches of Devon and Cornwall. We hope that this sensational summer of sport and British tennis success will encourage even more children to pick up a racket, and who knows, they could be our next Mini Masters champions.”
Steve Ashton, Coach of Orange ball champion Sebastian Stanbury-Flood, commented: “I’m enormously proud of all my players here. Even before the finals, all the Flybe’s Mini Masters events offer a fantastic opportunity for children to compete, often or the first time, in a relaxed and fun environment. The finals this weekend have been very exciting – it’s great competitive experience for the kids and has encouraged them all to play more tennis!”
The competition was open to tennis players up to the age of 10 years old with heats being held across 14 tennis centres and clubs across Devon and Cornwall.
See the tournament results