The Northumberland Club, based at the County Ground in Jesmond welcomed 48 competitors to take part in a morning of tennis filled activities on Monday 21st March 2016.
The event was part of the Tony Blair Sports Foundation (TBSF) Year 3 Competition, which aim’s to encourage new players into the game, have fun and develop life skills along the way! They played a whopping 120 matches across the morning, which was a tremendous showcase of grass roots tennis!
Andy Reed and Carlos Caldeira who are coaches at Gosforth Lawn Tennis Club led the morning, with help from volunteers; Kelly Edmund, Alison Cartmell, Adam Hitchings, Jahvyn Riley and teachers from several schools whose players were competing in the event.
The morning ran in two halves. The Year 3 students battled in matches and showcased their skills, performing through a number of activities. Mini Tennis Red matches took place first, giving children the opportunity to work on their evolving skills. It was fantastic to see the players all improving throughout the matches, proving that even a little time on court will help improve overall tennis skills, whilst encouraging young people to participate and take up the game. Competitiveness of matches increased as pupil’s skills increased after several matches were completed. Fifteen matches were played on each one of the eight mini red courts, with each player competing in five matches respectively. The skills sections of the morning took place in the latter part of the event.
Following the matches the girls and boys participated in different skills activities. Each pupil worked with their school to gain as many points as possible whilst competing in the egg and spoon race, pass the parcel, can knockdown, throw into the bucket and hit into the bucket. Everyone showed great sportsmanship with an unrelenting determination throughout the morning to do their best!
The pupils competed against each other to gain a place in the Newcastle Final. All pupils gave excellent performances representing their schools, which made it highly enjoyable for all involved.
Andy Reed who oversaw the event,
“The players did incredibly well and all of them showed great determination and fun throughout the morning. This is the start of their tennis journey’s and the team element is fantastic. A massive thank you to the volunteers from Newcastle College and the school teachers. A real team effort to help inspire our next generation of tennis players!”
Brunton First School took first place who will participate in the Newcastle Schools Final in May at Tennis @ Churchill, whilst Archbishop Runcie C of E First School finished runners up.
For more information either visit LTA.org.uk to find local courts or coaches.