Tennis players from all points of the county compass gathered together for their annual tennis awards ceremony at the Leicester Tigers' conferencing suite at Welford Road.
Guest speaker was Davis Cup doubles coach Louis Cayer, a man who has transformed doubles play in this country. Over the last 8 years Cayer has coached 7 British men to the top one hundred with Jamie Murray, Andy's brother, currently world number 2 having won the last two grand slam men's doubles finals.
On hand to help present the trophies were county tennis president and former world no 12, Mark Cox, vice president Mike Harrison and county chairman John Chapman.
Leicestershire and Rutland has one of the highest participation rates in Britain with over 800 club and park teams competing for 10 months of the year in over 160 league and cup competitions.
The main award winners this year were:-
Men's Premiership: Leicestershire club
Ladies' first division : Hamilton (Melton Mowbray)
Mixed knock out ('The Leicester Mercury Cup') : Carisbrooke
'Tennis Leicestershire' special awards : Junior Boy, Rahul Dhokia; Junior Girl, Talia Neilson-Gatenby; Senior player, Matt Richmond; Veteran player, Gary Van De Byl; Team u18 county girls.
LTA British Tennis Awards : Volunteer, Harry Matty; Young volunteer, Harry Amos; Club, Oadby Granville; Community venue, University of Leicester; Education , Lancaster School, Knighton; Coach, Tom Lewis; Disability Programme, Hinckley Town; Outstanding Achivement, Richard Tutt
A special presentation was also made to John Chapman, standing down after 6 years as chairman of Tennis Leicestershire, a highly successful period that has seen considerable growth of the game locally.