If you believe that tennis is only played in summer at Queens Club and The All England Lawn Tennis Club then think again - competitions run throughout summer and winter. One of the popular junior competitions is the HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14 & Under Challenge Tournament.
This is the biggest junior tournament in British tennis and gives all 14 & Under players the opportunity to progress through to compete on the world famous grass courts at Wimbledon.
Local clubs, parks and schools can run a tournament for their members/pupils (rated between 10.2 and 7.1) which culminates in a County Final for all winners.
Each County winner (x 48 boys and 48 girls) then qualifies for the National Finals at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon and each will receive full use of the facilities, a players’ pack, access to Wimbledon Museum, tour of the grounds, free lunch and daily accommodation allowance in addition to meeting tennis personalities such as Tim Henman at coaching clinics. The National winners receive a day at the 2017 Wimbledon Championships.
Lincolnshire's HSBC Road to Wimbledon County Finals took place at Lincoln Eastgate Tennis Club AND at David Lloyd Burton Waters indoor courts on a dampish Ladies Wimbledon Championships final day, Saturday 9th July.
Players came from all over the county - Boston, Grantham, Horncastle, Louth, Lincoln, Stamford, Sleaford, and Tealby and the Tollbar Academy near Grimsby. Dodging rain showers was part of the day’s fun but thanks to an inspired ‘wet weather plan B’ by Tony Stamp, Referee, all matches were completed on the day and in between we were able to watch the Ladies final too!
Angela Halton (Grantham) and Lucy Evans (Lincoln) reached the girls final with Angela forging ahead to win the first set and second sets 5-4(1), 4-0.
Hugo Hunt (Lincoln) and Archie Adams (Grantham) reached the boys event final after several fiercely fought early round matches with a tenacious Hugo triumphing 4-2, 4 -2. See: Lincolnshire Road to Wimbledon 2016 County Final Results
Well done to all who took part. We hope you enjoyed the County finals and that many more will take part next year!
