North East’s Young Tennis Players Set Courts Alight At Tony Blair Sports Foundation Challenge Cup Final

Sunderland Tennis Centre hosted the final of the Tony Blair Sports Foundation Challenge Cup that saw eight North East schools take to the court inspired by Andy Murray to attempt to be crowned champion.

The final of the Year 3 LTA Mini Tennis competition took place Friday July 12^th with 64 children having made it through their county finals after entry from around 200 schools and 1600 competitors.

It is one of the most prestigious schools competitions in the country as around 5000 young people in the North East will have experienced tennis in their school environment.  Not only that we saw a total of 31 young volunteers help support the event from across the region including Conyers (Stockton), Durham Johnston (Durham), Framwellgate (Durham), Nunthorpe (Middlesbrough) and Trinity (Middlesbrough).  The volunteers were an invaluable support, ensured the competition was another roaring success and gave the schools an experience they would never forget. 

The eight schools who competed were Northumberland’s Darras Hall First School and Hareside Primary, Tyne & Wear’s New Silksworth and Cullercoats Primary, County Durham’s St Mary Magdalen’s R.C and St Margaret’s, Tees Valley’s St Bernadette’s R.C Primary and Lingfield Primary.

Jo Cunliffe who helped organise the event was ecstatic following the sensational tennis;

“Sweltering conditions echoed Murray’s win on centre court and the youngsters showed unwavering determination and enjoyment throughout the day.  This saw one of the closely contested finals in recent years.  I heard from a parent that their child had been asking them to play with them and had worn a headband all weekend because they were so inspired!  We know tennis can be a game enjoyed by the whole family and the TBSF Challenge Cup will continue to get not only youngsters involved but adults too!”

After 224 matches and Tennis Factory skills the final results saw two Middlesbrough schools finishing first and second, which was a first for the Borough.  Final standings are highlighted below;

1^st – St Bernadette’s
2^nd – Lingfield
3^rd – Darras Hall
4^th – New Silksworth
5^th – St Margaret’s
6^th – St Mary Magdalen’s
7^th – Hareside
8^th - Cullercoats  

In addition to the tournament, there was a Visually Impaired Competition for adults from across the region and a young volunteers LTA Mini Tennis event.  Four players who play at the North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club in Sunderland competed against each other and the results are below;

1^st – Steve Trewick
2^nd – Wendy Glasper
3^rd – Rosie Pybus
4^th – Sue Cox

In the young volunteers LTA Mini Tennis event we saw a great fast, fun and friendly doubles competition take place. 

1^st – Mitchell and Ben (Framwellgate School, Durham)
2^nd – Faye and Sophie (Conyers School, Stockton)
3^rd – Dom (Conyers School, Stockton)
4^th – Thom and Lewis (Conyers School, Stockton)

Following the VI and LTA Mini Tennis event the young volunteers wore SIM Specs that recreate varying levels of sight and played against the VI players in a fun doubles competition.  It was a humbling experience for the youngsters because it made them realise how amazing the VI players and evidence that commitment, hard work and determination welcomes success and achievement. 

Jo Cunliffe, the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) Tennis Development Manager for Durham, Cleveland, Northumberland and Cumbria, said:

“The TBSF event once again showcased the huge range of opportunities that tennis offers from competing, playing, volunteering, refereeing, supporting and most of all the incredible fun and enjoyment that everyone can have.  For more information about programmes and places go to allplaytennis.com.”