Setup in 1992 the 12 Counties competition is held annually at Corby and takes place over a four month period from December to March.
The 12 counties are split into two divisions with teams of four boys and four girls competing in each age group from 10 & under to 18 & under making 480 players taking part in 720 singles matches.
This was the first year that Essex has taken part in the competition, one of the largest non-LTA events in the country, and were given a very tough start going straight into the top Division.
Selected to play and represent Essex across a range of age groups this year were five players from Cranston Park Lawn Tennis Club in Upminster.
Competing in the top division Cranston Park’s players found themselves up against some strong competition including players from Yorkshire, the winning County from last year, and Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
The competition rewards counties that can demonstrate consistency across all age groups with results counting in equal measure towards a total county score. Unfortunately Essex were unable to field a girls 16 & under team this year due to player availability which means that Essex will finish the competition in one of the two relegation spots for Division 1. Cambridgeshire join Essex in the drop to Division 2 swapping places with the winners of Divsion 2A and 2B for next year. Now firmly established on the County competition calendar expectations are high that Essex will be able to bounce straight back and return to Division 1 next year.
Christine Jolly, Junior Manager at Cranston Park, commented “This is a great achievement for our juniors and makes all their hard work worthwhile. We are delighted that we are seeing more and more of our junior players regularly competing at the club and taking part in county, regional and national competitions. To be picked to represent the County is a huge achievement and they should all be very proud of themselves.”
Cranston Park players taking part in the 12 Counties Championships this year were Darcie Salmons (girls 10 & under); Olivia Sofroniou (girls 14 & under); Dylan Walker and George Gray (boys 16 & under); and Grace Rowe (girls 18 & under)