Proud day for the North East which saw 64 Year 3 competitors, 30 plus young people playing Touch Tennis and 6 players from the North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club competing!
The event was the Tony Blair Sports Foundation Year 3 Tennis Challenge Cup, Visually Impaired and Volunteer Competition, which was an incredible showcase of tennis!
In the Year 3 competition we saw only 6 points between the 1st and 3rd positions, highlighting how close the event had been for all 64 players. This included battling on court in mini matches and on the Tennis Factory!
Yarm Primary came out victors 5 points ahead of Darras Hall in 2nd and Ingleby Mill in 3rd. The final standings were,
1st = Yarm Primary (127)
2nd = Darras Hall (122)
3rd = Ingleby Mill (121)
4th = St Peter & Pauls (111)
5th = Rickleton (87)
6th = St Margaret's (60)
7th = Priory (58)
8th = St Patricks (52)
This year's event had seen 334 schools take part which meant nearly 3000 competitors had started the journey in the early cluster rounds from across the North East. So well done to all the teams for making the Regional Final one of the closest to date and we are really looking forward to kicking off next year!
Through partnership work with the Tony Blair Sports Foundation we have trained over 200 Young Competition Organisers / Tennis Leaders over the past 12 months. This has undoubtedly helped support the schools competition, local clubs and coaches who have seen an increase in participants linking with their programmes once they have got the bug for the game within their school. Consequently we decided to hold a competition for these new volunteers. Over 30 players competed against each other in a fun 'Touch Tennis' event throughout the day. Schools competing included St Anthony's, Benet Biscop, Seaton Burn High and Nunthorpe, who had also brought volunteers to help run the Year 3 competition. The rallies were immense at times and the participants clearly loved the day. Organiser Christine Klee said,
"It was amazing to see the fun and energy with the young volunteers playing in their own event this year. Many of the players had not played much tennis before but found competing on the smaller court and using smaller rackets easier to play and it was much more enjoyable!"
The top couples who went through to an exciting playoff were: Joshua Ellis and Jay Holden, Kristian Lamb and Jordan Walker, Matthew Bartliff and Cameron Bottomly, Sarah Mccabe and Sophie Drummond.
Winners on the day, coming through a very close final with Matthew and Cameron were Kristian Lamb and Jordan Walker who took home their silverware.
We also ran a Visually Impaired competition with 6 players (1 travelling all the way from Hereford) which was inspirational to watch. The members of the North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club have all been working hard to improve their games and the difference was incredible as expressed by Jo Cunliffe,
"The players have clearly been dedicated and committed to developing their games and this was obvious watching them last week! Huge booming overarm serves, scrambling balls back and fighting right to the end was amazing to witness. Once again proof of what hard work can reap!"
Wendy Glasper who is the NEVITC Secretary took home the runners up prize and John Hawkins showed his strength once again to take the winners trophy back to Darlington! The other players were Adele Waterfall-Brown (3rd place), Mohammed (4th place), Rosie Pybus (5th place) and Teresa Usher (6th place).
The success of the event was down to everyone involved particularly, Lucy 'Love' Scott, Barbara Borwell, Pippa Hawes, Abi Rodwell, Christine Klee, Steph Eadon and Michaela 'Can Do Warrior' Bowmaker! Their countless hours working behind the scenes including promoting and coordinating local activity with coaches, clubs, schools and volunteers sees the event once again proudly have the title of being the best of its kind!
We must also say a huge thank you to the Tony Blair Sports Foundation who continue to provide tennis with a tremendous amount of support linked to the Year 3 competition. This includes providing volunteers, training for coaches / volunteers and helping support our two-way school to club pathway! The Tennis Foundation and LTA have also contributed hugely to help grow our sport and ensure as many young people get a tennis racket in their hands as possible!
Please see a selection of videos from the VI, Year 3 and Touch Tennis.
Year 3
Visually Impaired
Touch Tennis
Another Year 3 point!