National Premier Tennis Finals to be held at Virgin Active Wearside from 11th to 15th April.
The National Premier doubles finals were established in October 1999 in the North East of England, became a national event in 2003, and has been an LTA supported event since 2006.
It has attracted Grand Slam participants in the past, such as Pat Cash, Wayne Black and Stephen Huss.
Virgin Active Gloucester are the current defending champions. It is expected to be a closely contested event this year with fine players expected to play, like Dan Evans, who helped Great Britain to Davis Cup success recently in Glasgow.
This event compliments the LTA Flagship AEGON Team Tennis in the summer months so competitors have a structured season right through the calendar year.
Mike Dixon, Tournament Director of The National Premier League Finals says,
"We are delighted to be bringing the finals of The National Premier Tennis League to the North East. They will take place at Virgin Active
Wearside between Wednesday 11th April (Launch) and Sunday 15th April (Final). This is an exciting opportunity for tennis enthusiasts in the region to come and watch some exciting men's tennis."
The National Premier Tennis League is now the recognised major inter club indoor tennis team competition competed for within the UK during the Autumn/Winter period, which culminates in the Finals here in Sunderland.
Gary Stewart, Head of Racquets for Virgin Active is delighted that The National Premier Tennis League is coming to Virgin Active Wearside,
"We are thrilled to be hosting this national event at Virgin Active Wearside and to be able to attract some world class tennis to the North East. Come along and see some top sporting talent!"
David Boddy, Racquets Manager at Virgin Active Wearside agrees,
"I'm really excited that the National Premier League Finals are being held here at our club. This is not only for the high level of tennis we will get to see but the wider implications to our members and outreach community. Local schools and clubs will be around on the final 2 days for a competition of their own and we will have some of our players as ball kids for the finals."
The line up for the Finals is now complete and congratulations to the following teams that have made it through; Tennis World Middlesbrough, Virgin Active Wearside, Virgin Active Cardiff, Virgin Active Gloucester, Virgin Active Lancashire, Virgin Active Clearview (Brentwood), Virgin Active Coventry, St. Georges Hill, Gosling, Sutton Tennis Academy, Bromley Tennis Academy, Loughborough University, Abbeydale Sheffield and Manchester Northern.
The event is running from Wednesday 11th April to Sunday 15th April. Tickets for the first round for adults will be £5, for the quarter finals will be £6 and for the semis and final will be £10.
For more information on the National Finals and tickets for the event, visit the latest edition of the oncourt magazine.
A huge thankyou to all sponsors, and to Virgin Active for hosting the event!