The North East’s first team touchtennis tournament came to a head on Sunday 6th January at the “Tennis @ Churchill” indoor centre in Wallsend.
Winning team “Team Dynamo’s” celebrated their victory after beating every opponent they came up against in a total of 16 games.
touchtennis is a fast-growing alternative to traditional tennis, established in 2002 by sport enthusiast Rashid Ahmad.
The sport gained momentum as a more fun way to participate in tennis, as players are encouraged to use skill and finesse over power.
Tennis @ Churchill’s” tournament saw competitors above the age of 16 play using smaller nets, rackets and sponge balls on a smaller court than is used in traditional tennis.
Tournament teams are made up of two beginners and two advanced players, each of whom will come up against an opponent of equal ability.
This team event was pioneered by Jo Cunliffe, Tennis Development Manager for Cumbria, Northumberland and Durham & Cleveland’s LTA, in a bid to guarantee competitive matches to all players involved, where all participants could enjoy the game against someone of equal matching. Jo who also played in the tournament said, “The Tennis@Churchill event was full to the rafters and it was brilliant seeing so many adults enjoying this new version of the game. touchtennis has been building momentum over the last couple of years and it has seen new and existing players trying it out across the North East. Seeing more people playing tennis is an exciting time for the sport”.
As a result of these changes, rallies last longer and even players with a low ability are able to enjoy the match as much as highly skilled competitors.
Junior players and beginners all the way up to county standard participated in the event, which was heralded as a highly sociable and entertaining tournament, where competitors were able to mingle whilst the other games were going on.
Adam Attheri, who participated in the tournament, said: “It was incredible to have the whole indoor centre full of just touchtennis. It was a great atmosphere that you wouldn’t usually feel at a tennis tournament, and you could tell all the participants really enjoyed the day.”
Competitors on the day commented on how touchtennis is driven by a community spirit, with none of the tension and animosity that often comes with more traditional tennis events.
Rashid Ahmed, founder of touchtennis commented: “Going back to the early days on touchtennis we always played team events and cup ties. “It’s great to see Churchill bring back the spirit of the game with their team event on Sunday and my only regret was not being there with my own motley crew!
“As touchtennis grows in the North of England, I’m confident this format will bring more and more players to the sport and hopefully some of the top ten will be born and bred from the North.”
Below are some youtube clips that you might find intresting.
Youtube Video 1
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Youtube Video 3