Axbridge School, near Cheddar triumphed at this year’s mini tennis red schools competition after fighting off stiff competition from schools all over the county. Axbridge won all their matches against other schools in the competition including beating Dunster school A team in the play off final.
The Axbridge Team are pictured with the trophy with Local Tennis Development Manager James Deem. James said “this is a fantastic end to an event that has allowed hundreds of children to access the sport for the first time through schools and local clubs”. He added “the winners Axbridge thoroughly deserved their victory and I hope to see the children continue playing tennis in local clubs in the near future”
Last years champions Ash school finished in 6th place after losing their fifth / sixth play off to local rivals High Ham (Nr Somerton), who qualified through competitions earlier in the summer held at Somerton Tennis Club and at the South Somerset Partnership Finals. Dunster A (Minehead) were close runners up.
Other teams who qualified for the event, organised for pupils in year 3 and 4, include Trinity (Taunton - 3rd ), Lydeard St Lawrence (Taunton – 4th ), Dunster B (Minehead – 7th), East Brent (Burnham on Sea – 8th)
The County Finals competition involved 8 teams from the county who qualified through winning cluster competitions held at local tennis clubs throughout May and June this year. The children competed in a very high standard competition for players with limited experience of the sport and all had a very enjoyable time.
The schools competition, supported and resourced by the Tennis Foundation AEGON Schools programme is a culmination of months of planning and co-ordination involving coaches, school sports partnerships, club volunteers and numerous other people. The competition is aimed at children not currently in club coaching programmes as a way of giving them enjoyable access to the sport in the hope that the play more at local clubs in the future.
Senior Competition Manager Graham Norris Said “this is an excellent program that shows how tennis can be accessible to lots of children through careful co-ordination between local partners”. James and Graham both extended their thanks to Ivor Griffiths, the referee, for running the event on the day and all the schools for supporting this event.
For more information on schools tennis please visit www.tennisfoundation.org.
If you are interested in finding a place to play tennis or someone to play against please visit www.allplaytennis.com.
