Teesside’s Time For Girls Tennis!

The LTA, in partnership with GB Tennis Girls (GBTG) launched an 8 & Under fun mini tennis event last weekend with the aim of tackling the gender split between those competing against their male counterparts.

Six teams from across Tees Valley competed against each other at Durham University Queens Campus Sports Centre.  Teams included players from Yarm TC A, Yarm TC B, David Lloyd Teesside, Hutton Rudby TC A, Hutton Rudby TC B and Longfield.

The launch saw an all-girl affair with players, umpires and referee all female, with the hopes of encouraging young girls to keep playing through positive role models.  This is a key intervention to encourage girls to enjoy being around friends in a fun and relaxed environment and referee Claire Smith was delighted with the launch event,

‘This is a fantastic opportunity and the players and parents were buzzing after the first event.  The girls only league is the start of the young players tennis journey, which is really exciting for everyone involved.’

Although there were points awarded to the teams for their results, the emphasis was on the atmosphere and attributes the girls showed throughout the morning.  This included awards for two players picked by Claire.  This included Estelle who was awarded for being so determined and Poppy for having the best smile all morning!    

(Photo is of volunteers Olivia, Faye and Holly (back row left to right) and players in front.)

Results from the Teesside based fixture are as follows,

David Lloyd beat Yarm B  2-2 (31-28 on points)

Yarm A beat Hutton Rudby B  4-0

Hutton Rudby A beat Longfield  4-0

David Lloyd A beat Longfield  3-1

Hutton Rudby A beat Yarm A  3-1

Yarm B beat Hutton Rudby B  4-0

David Lloyd A beat Yarm A  2-2 (26-23 on points)

Hutton Rudby A drew with Yarm B  2-2 (25 all on points)

Hutton Rudby B beat Longfield  4-0

The next events are,

Durham & Cleveland

• February 22^nd – David Lloyd Club, Teesside, TS17 6BH
• March 15^th – Durham University Campus, Thornaby¸ TS17 6BH

An end of league event will take place at Sunderland Tennis Centre on Saturday 21^st March 2015 10 – 12pm.