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The Flybe Mini Masters Grand Finals are the finale of a circuit of events held each season at tennis clubs across Devon and Cornwall with the top players on the leaderboard of each County being invited to compete.
The Mini Green (10&Under) event was held at the Tarka Tennis Centre in Barnstaple and was won by Joe Cooper from Ilfacombe Tennis Club who overcame Exmouth’s Zac Brown in a well competed final. Last year Joe had been runner up to Zac in the orange ball final so this was a nice role reversal. Zac, who had also qualified for the Mini Orange (9&Under) event was delighted to have made the green ball final.
Referee Tom Vinall said, “It was a great day. All of the players really enjoyed it and the standard of play was phenomenal.”
Devon LTA Chairman presented the prizes and commended the players on their performances and the great attitude shown by all during the finals. He also expressd thanks to Tarka Tennis Centre for hosting the event.
The Mini Red Event (8&Under) and Mini Orange (9&Under) tournaments were held at the South Devon Tennis Centre in Ivybridge, a favourite venue with players and parents alike.
The Mini Red event this season has been well contested with so many boys and girls taking part. In the final, last season’s winner Oscar Davey from Cornwall was up against Devon’s Sebastian Linnitt. Sebastian, in his first Flybe Mini Masters Grand Final was riding high after coming top of the leaderboard and then having a great County Championship performance which saw him take the 8 & Under title.
Sebastian proved just too strong for Oscar on this occasion and added the Flybe Mini Masters to his summer’s successes.
The Mini Orange event was the closest, most hard fought competition the Grand Finals has seen. The group of players battling it out gave the spectators a really exciting day with so many 3 set matches to enjoy. The standard of play was really appreciated by all. Event organiser, Chris Bawden said, “ All the players should be really proud of themselves, the tennis was fantastic and the matches so close in the qualifying boxes that it was a wonder that anyone had any energy left!”
Zac Brown, runner up in the green ball the previous day, met Parker Caleshu from Virgin Active Devonshire in Plymouth in the final. Parker who was runner up in the previous season finals found himself runner up again as Zac came out on top.
The winners, runners up and leaderboard winners can all now look forward to a master class session with former GB number 1, Lucie Ahl as part of their prizes, courtesy of sponsor Flybe.
The event’s presentations were made by Sue Eames, Cornwall LTA Chairperson who expressed Devon and Cornwall LTAs gratitude for Flybe’s continued support which enables so many young players to experience competition in a fun and friendly environment, make new friends and be enthused by the sport which is a game for life.
Find more information on the Flybe Mini Masters Tennis Competition
The Flybe Mini Masters circuit was introduced in 2009. Competitions are open to all young tennis players up to the age of 10 years and circuit events are held across 14 regional tennis centres and clubs with the top eight players from each county and age group invited to battle it out in the Mini Masters Grand finals held twice a year.
The Mini-Masters Flybe circuit regularly involves over 200 children, many of whom are new to competition and the circuit. The competition has helped to grow both the volume and quality of young players taking up the game.