West Bridgford Tennis Club in Nottingham staged the first Open Learning Disability Tournament outside those organized by the Tennis Foundation or Special Olympic Great Britain. The tournament, which received grant funding from the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust and support from the Tennis Foundation, Special Olympics GB and Nottinghamshire LTA, was organized by Lesley Whitehead the clubs Tennis Manager who was keen to provide further match play opportunities for people with a learning disability. Held on the indoor courts at the club over the weekend of 10th & 11th April and attracting players from across the UK, Saturday saw the players who ranged from 16 to 40+ divisioned according to their tennis ability to compete in round-robin singles boxes. Sunday saw the players teaming up to play in divisioned, round-robin doubles matches. Supporting the athletes on court were a team of enthusiastic volunteers and ABTO qualified umpires. The atmosphere over the weekend was tremendous with lots of good tennis and fun being had by all athletes and the huge number of parents and carers. At the end of play, Chris Walker, Chairman of Nottinghamshire LTA presented the athletes with their medals and certificates. The tournament was extremely successful and it is hoped to make it an annual event.
Several local players who train at West Bridgford Tennis Club competed over the weekend:
Men’s Singles Div 1 Michael Clarke – bronze medal
Men’s Singles Div 2 Alex Eustace – gold medal
Joseph Eccles – silver medal
Peter Norton – 4th place
Men’s Singles Div 3 Luke East – silver medal
Men’s Singles Div 4 Leigh Foster – gold medal
Men’s Singles Div 5 William Haynes – bronze medal
Ladies Singles Div 1 Zara Jurenko = gold medal
Katherine Ashcroft – 4th place
Men’s Doubles Div 1 Michael Clarke & Peter Norton – bronze
Joseph Eccles & Alex Eustace – 4th
Men’s Doubles Div 2 Luke East & Leigh Foster – silver
Ladies Doubles Div 1 Katherine Ashcroft & Zara Jurenko - gold