Promising young tennis players progress to their big final

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Young tennis players will be dreaming of Wimbledon Centre Court when they visit Martock Tennis Club for the South Somerset Schools' Mini Red Tennis Red Final on Thursday 21 June.

The competition is the culmination of a long journey to get to the final with hundreds of young people from South Somerset taking part in 'cluster' competitions over the last two months.

Primary school pupils from Horsington, Milborne Port, St Bartholomews, Merriott, High Ham, Keinton Mandeville and Neroche will take part in the eagerly awaited final.

The project has been funded by the South Somerset Tennis Development Group, which was set up by the Sports Development team at South Somerset District Council.

South Somerset School Games Organiser, Steve Gass, is delivering the final event in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association. Steve said, "The cluster competitions have been really successful with some exciting tennis being played. With the partnership final taking place just before Wimbledon, I'm sure these young people will were inspired to reach their full potential in the sport."

Jake Hannis, Senior Sport and Healthy Lifestyles Officer at South Somerset District Council said, "Local professional tennis coaches have been leading sessions in schools right across South Somerset for hundreds of pupils to introduce them to the sport."

"More than one hundred pupils who showed enthusiasm and ability were then given the chance to take part in five weeks of coaching, which has really developed their skills."

Cllr Sylvia Seal, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at South Somerset District Council added, "This is the fourth year of the successful programme in South Somerset and it is certainly making a difference towards developing young tennis talent in the district. The group have achieved an impressive amount since it was set up, and its benefits are long lasting."

"I hope that many of the young people who have been involved in the coaching and competitions will take up the opportunities on offer at their local clubs to develop themselves even further."

 
 

SOMERSET | TENNIS

Somerset Lawn Tennis Association
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