The 9th TBSF Year 3 Challenge Cup Grand Final took place on 15 July at Sunderland Tennis Centre. This was a culmination of around 250 schools from across the North East, whittled down to the final 8 schools competing to be the 2016 champion.
All 8 schools brought 4 girls and 4 boys to compete in a grand total of 224 matches and loads of fun Tennis Factory activities, all of which counted towards their overall score.
The 8 schools who competed were Aklam Whin, Darras Hall, Benton Dene, Easington Colliery, Ingleby Mill, Northburn, St. Michael’s and Richard Avenue. In addition, 18 leaders from Boldon High School helped to look after the matches and Tennis Factory activities.
After 4 hours of play, Acklam Whin Primary School from Middlesbrough eventually came out on top, followed very closely behind by Darras Hall First School from Ponteland, Newcastle.
All of the players played their hearts out, and we saw some fantastic displays of sportsmanship amongst them!
Alongside the Year 3 event, the North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club also hosted a brilliant Visually Impaired competition. The tournament began with a singles event, helped by 2 of the leaders from Boldon School, after which the players took part in a fun mixed VI-Sighted doubles competition. Wendy Glasper took home gold from the singles event, with David Donnelly in second place.
Massive thanks also to our helpers on the day: Diane Harker, Claire Smith, Matthew Tottey, Laura Lattimore and Nick Clark (photography). Thanks also to TBSF for supporting the event once again.