Gloucestershire Lawn Tennis Association are delighted to announce the County Winners of the British Tennis Awards presented at their AGM and Awards ceremony on Monday 4th December at Oxstalls Sports Park.
Gloucestershire LTA was pleased and privileged to welcome Louise Hunt, 7 times a winner of the London Mini Wheelchair marathon and who has a long list of national and international tennis successes from 2009 to the present day including competing in the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. As well as being a full time athlete Louise works with several charitable organisations, including the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, all aimed at encouraging and mentoring the disabled, particularly the young, to pursue their sporting aims and their careers through involvement with sport.
The Awards champion the people who deliver tennis to communities across Britain and in Gloucestershire were awarded as follow:-
Elspeth Harding from Frampton Tennis Club was the Volunteer of the Year, heralded as an ambassador for tennis donating much of her time to the club.
Conor Brady from Chalford Tennis Club was the Young Volunteer of the Year, a 17 year old devoting energy and enthusiasm to promoting his club.
Alec Davidson from Oxstalls Tennis Park celebrated the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Chris Reid Trophy for services to tennis spanning 54 years.
The following were the best venues in Gloucestershire for providing coaching and opportunities to play and compete in a welcoming environment:-
Club of the Year, Cirencester Tennis Club,
The Community Award went to East Gloucestershire Club and its work with Montpellier and Pittville to provide Tennis in the Park,
The Education Award went to Balcarras School, working with Charlton Park Tennis Place
The Disability Award went to Oxstalls Tennis Ability, who provide an inclusive and social environment for many players, led by Coach of the Year, Adam Toulson who devotes his time and energy to making this programme happen.
Competition of the Year went to Frampton Tennis Club for its Annual Club Championships
Coaches, Rachael Wintle from Lydney Tennis Club, Simon Fliatrault from Beckford Tennis Club and Esther Curtis from East Gloucestershire Club were also recognised for their work in the county and at club level.
In addition Gloucestershire Lawn Tennis Association presented its own awards
Special Achievement Award to Mark Peer from Nailsworth Tennis Club for services to his Club and the County League
Mary Eyre Junior Player awards went to Charlotte Russell for outstanding results including her first ITF Ranking points, from David Lloyd’s and Oxstalls Tennis Park and
Sammy Vrabtchev from East Gloucestershire Club for his results and dedication to tennis.
Christine Rivers from GLTA commented ‘the standard has been really high and we’d like to congratulate all winners on their achievements’.
Following the AGM and Awards Louise presented trophies to the divisional winners of the County’s Summer Tennis League which involves more than 500 players from dozens of clubs – a highlight of Gloucestershire tennis.
The Awards are a joint initiative between the Lawn Tennis Association, The Tennis Foundation and all 40 County National Tennis Associations. LTA County Winners will progress to Regional Finals with a chance of winning through to National Finals and a £5000 facility grant prize.