Framlingham College has hosted the county’s most popular tournament for many years now, and it may not be realised just how much that Framlingham College tennis is currently achieving at all levels of the game. Senior Tennis Professional Trevor Wright is justifiably proud of yet another highly successful season, and pays tribute to the great help and support he has received from Suffolk Ladies’ regular Kari Sherington, a full-time coach since September.
Various College teams have competed in no fewer than 45 different “live” team events since the beginning of April, and have finished as County Champions in no less than the following nine competitions :-
18U A Suffolk Schools’ Girls’ Doubles
U18B Suffolk Schools’ Girls’ Doubles
U15B Suffolk Schools’ Girls’ Doubles
U10A Boys(Orange Ball) County Finals
U10A Girls (Orange Ball) County Finals
U10A Mixed (Orange Ball) County Finals
U8 A Mixed (Red Ball) County Finals
U16 Girls’ Aegon Team Tennis
U8B Mixed (Red Ball) Aegon Team Tennis
To emphasise the remarkable strength in depth of College tennis at the moment, in addition to these nine County Team titles, they were runners-up in a further twelve. Individually, Taylor Ball won the Suffolk 14U Road to Wimbledon title, which means she qualifies for the National Finals at Wimbledon this month. In total no fewer than 116 different players represented one or more of their 45 teams, whether playing for College, Prep School or Club.
Staying with individuals, in addition to coach Kari Sherington playing for Suffolk Ladies, Lydia Green and Robert Camplin have competed for the Suffolk 18U Girls’ and Boys’ teams. Florence McCausland (12U) and India Ball (10U) are also regulars in their age-groups, with Jacobi Bishopp and Georgie Gardens representing Suffolk at 8U level. To have so many pupils not only participating but achieving success brings great credit to the Tennis Programme.
Last but not least, the annual Ladies’ Doubles Charity Tournament held at the College for 64 competitors on Tuesday June 28th was a tremendous success. A highly enjoyable and successful day’s tennis was much enjoyed by (2YN (all, with money raised for both the East Anglian Children’s Hospice and Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Good to see tennis players helping those in need.
Tidying up on other results received from Summer Finals, Amberfield School finished as the Suffolk Schools’ 13U Girls’ Champions, with Ipswich School finishing as runners-up. The Ipswich High School won the 15U A Girls’ competition, and the final positions in the tennis event at the Suffolk Youth Games on July 10th were as follows :-
1.Waveney 2. St Edmundsbury 3. Ipswich 4. Forest Heath 5. Babergh 6th Mid-Suffolk 7. Suffolk Coastal.
Finally,the Tournament circuit continues apace at Normanston Park next week with the Lowestoft Junior, quickly followed by the highly popular Felixstowe Grade 3 Junior event at Bath Road. The Grade 3 Suffolk Junior Closed concludes affairs as usual at the Sports Club, the LTA moving the date nationally to the week beginning Monday 29th August. Entries close this Monday 8th August, and should be sent to Steve Pilcher at 2 Cranwell Grove, Kesgrave, Ipswich, IP5 (01473 – 614229), or entered on-line at www.LTA.org.uk (tournament code : SUF 501)