On Friday 27th November Great Britain's Tennis Team will be hitting the courts in Belgium in their first Davis Cup Final since 1936. Unfortunately not everyone can make the long journey to Belgium to be a part of this fantastic experience but that has not stopped the North East celebrating this momentous occasion. School children from Wearside and South Tyneside will be taking part in their very own Davis Cup themed school competition.
Each school taking part will be representing the countries that have reached the latter stages of the competition and are encouraged to wear their countries colours during the lead up sessions and the event. The lead up sessions will be held in schools prior to the competition to get the teams ready for the big day and will include tennis sessions, ball kids training and pre event cheer practice to make sure they are ready for the big day.
The event will be held on Friday 27th November at Nissan Sports and Leisure Complex. The day will consist of tennis taster time, the opportunity to watch Team GB in action and finally the children will take part in their own Davis Cup style tennis competition.
The event will be led by Boldon Lawn Tennis Club Head Coach Stephanie Eadon and delivered by the clubs coaching team. Stephanie Eadon said ' this is one occasion that defiantly could not be missed as it gives us all the opportunity to come together and help celebrate Team GB fantastic achievement, while encouraging more young children to pick a racquet up through team tennis.
We think this is a fantastic opportunity for the children of the North East to Back the Brits and experience how much fun Tennis can be.
Great Britain
Last tie 18-20 September 2015
Andy Murray once again produced three exceptional performances over a weekend to lead Great Britain to a 3-1 victory over Australia and a place in the Davis Cup Final. The world No. 3 downed Thanasi Kokkinakis on the opening day, before Bernard Tomic levelled the score after four tight sets with surprise British choice Dan Evans. Andy combined with brother Jamie to outlast Sam Groth and Lleyton Hewitt in a magnificent five-set doubles contest. Then, Murray swept past Tomic on the final day to secure the all-important third point and send the Glasgow crowd into pandemonium.
History
Great Britain has lifted the Davis Cup trophy on nine occasions. Its last title dates back to 1936 when Fred Perry and Bunny Austin were leading the team. Great Britain is the only nation that has participated in all the editions of the Davis Cup from 1900, although it competed under the name British Isles until 1912. More recently, it has reached the Final in 2015.
Belgium
Last tie 18-20 September 2015
Belgium advanced to their first Davis Cup Final since 1904 as Steve Darcis won a dramatic deciding fifth rubber over Argentina's Federico Delbonis to whip the Forest National in Brussels into a frenzy. The opening day's singles rubbers were split, as David Goffin and Leonardo Mayer recorded victories. Carlos Berlocq and Mayer then won Saturday's doubles to leave the visitors one win away. However, David Goffin forced a fifth rubber on Sunday, which Darcis claimed in four gripping sets.
History
Belgium's best performance came back in 1904, when it finished runner-up. More recently, the Belgians reached the semi-finals in 1999.
