The significant increase in both indoor courts and floodlights over the last decade has ensured that tennis at all levels has become a truly all-year round sport, though after a gruelling Winter that has seemingly gone on for ever, players of all ages and abilities will be hoping for some warm sunshine on their backs over the next few months. There is certainly no lack of opportunity with vibrant tennis activities being enjoyed at county level, and in any number of places to play and most crucially perhaps at schools.
Any number of county teams will be competing over the Summer, where the focus of attention will quite rightly be on Suffolk Men, a highly successful unit led by Captain Jeremy Cowley who have risen up the divisions in recent seasons to reach the dizzy heights of Division Two in the Aegon nationwide inter-county competition, one win away from the accolade of reaching the prestigious top flight itself. Whilst the Men will be hoping for that crucial availability at Havant, our Ladies will be based locally at Felixstowe, and good news has come through that Suffolk Ladies’ Champion Katie Tassell has agreed to captain the side for this rare opportunity on home soil.
Our Suffolk county veterans, respectfully to be re-named Seniors, will again be demonstrating their love for the game by once more travelling the length and breadth of the country to fulfil their fixtures in the various national leagues.Under the watchful eyes of stalwarts Keith Flewitt and Vera Penman, their great desire to keep playing the game they love is perhaps demonstrated by the addition this season of a Men’s 75 and Over team, enthusiastically run by Neville Reeder. Schools’ tennis will once again be flourishing in the county, many pupils introduced to the game and moving on to enjoy any number of competitive opportunities, the various age-group leagues always much enjoyed and hotly contested. This Summer especially will be a great tribute to schools’ enthusiast, Pam Rogers.
Tennis will be a hive of activity at our various Places to Play, with non-stop competitive play for all ages, and various social activities, including the odd barbecue perhaps !! Many of our larger clubs will be competing in the Aegon nationwide leagues, in which the Ipswich Sports Club have been so successful in recent seasons, and many players will be appearing regularly in league matches, with the Ipswich and Lowestoft leagues especially embracing a large number of clubs. For others, such as those taking advantage of the Christchurch Park opportunities, there will be plenty of recreational and social tennis available, which is where we’ll all be hoping for plenty of dry weather and sunshine !!
The Suffolk LTA have just staged a highly successful National Fostering Agency Easter Tournament, providing great competitive opportunties for our juniors, and the latter Summer months will once again see our highly comprehensive tournament programme. Following Wimbledon, the stars of the future can be see at the East of England and Frinton, then our juniors will embark on their usual circuit, which starts as usual with the 86th Bury and West Suffolk Junior Tournament, based for the 2nd year running at Culford School. Following Bury, the ever-popular Framlingham event will be staged once again at the College, and then the circuit continues with Lowestoft, Felixstowe and the highly important Suffolk Junior Closed at the end of August.
Talking of Framlingham, I am very sorry to have to report the sad news of the recent passing of stalwart Committee member Peter Andreasen. Peter was a hard worker and enthusiast for a number of years, and was acting Chairman following the death of Richard Bull. In addition to being a stylish player himself, Peter was also a tireless worker for Roundwood Tennis Club, and with Keith Flewitt in particular, he provided competitive and social tennis activities for generations of players. He was the reason indeed that I joined Roundwood myself, and I will always remember my many years at Stone Lodge Lane with great affection. Peter was awarded his County Tie in 1983. Many thanks, Peter – you will be sorely missed by many, and your efforts will not be forgotten.
This weekly column attempts to cover all tennis news within the county throughout the Summer months, and therefore I am appealing to all tennis enthusiasts to let me have as much information as possible. It’s so important to publicise the wide range of activities that make up our game, so please let me have any information at : petermornard@aol.com (01473-274146) If I don’t know about it, I can’t put it in, and if you let me have it, I will guarantee its inclusion. The aim will also be to keep our Suffolk LTA website up-to-date, so let’s be hearing from you throughout the next few weeks, please !
This week also sees the publication of our new-look Suffolk LTA Handbook, which can also be found online. Next week, we hope to share the thoughts and hopes of current Chairman, Mike Watling.
By Peter Mornard