Culford claimed its seventh IAPS (Independent Association of National Prep Schools Championships) title in the last four years at Queenswood School, Herts, 11 – 13 July; a competition that involved a number of the top tennis playing schools across the UK.
Hannah Vickers (13) who is ranked in the top 20 in the 13 and under national rankings, teamed up with Anastasia Mozhina (12) to claim victory in the 14 and under girls doubles event. The girls defeated Millfield school in the final 6-3. Culford has now won this particular event for the last four consecutive years.
A victory over Millfield is always a fantastic result as they have been established as an elite tennis school for many years. Unfortunately, Hannah Vickers couldn't make it a second national title in the singles competition, as she lost narrowly to the Millfield number one player in the semi-finals 7-5. Anastasia played some very accomplished tennis for her first National finals, making it through to the last 16 stage.
Culford Senior School had two teams in action at the ISTA (Independent Schools Tennis Association) National Championships 1 – 4 July. The girls’ 18 and under team of Daniella and Jessica Silva performed very well in defeating the number one and two pairs from Repton School en-route to the semi-final stage. Repton have traditionally been a top tennis school regularly competing for National titles and so these results were very encouraging. Daniella and Jessica then came up against the number one seeds from Millfield School and were extremely unlucky not to take the match into a deciding third set, going down 6-4, 7-6, having had a set point in the second set. The boys’ team of Toby Cutting, Joe Matta, Michail Michailow and Kazamieras Zakaitis, won two matches before being defeated in the quarter finals.
Culford then travelled to Queenswood School for the most prestigious national event in the school calendar, the Aberdare Cup (girls) and Glanville Cup (boys) held 5 – 8 July. This is an 18 and under event that involves the top 16 state and private schools qualifying from various regions throughout the UK. The event is organised through the LTA and it is the first time Culford has had both boys’ and girls’ teams in the finals, and one of only three schools in the UK to achieve this.
The girls qualified for the Aberdare Cup for the second year running and despite being down a player due to injury for three out of the four days, the team of Daniella Silva, Jessica Silva and Flora Hill played with great courage and determination, finishing a very creditable eighth place out of the 16 national finalists. Alana Martin and Ellie Stevens were both part of the winning team on the first day, which ensured that the girls moved forwards in the draw. The boys’ team of Joe Matta, Michail Michailow, Constantin Schmid and Kazamieras Zakaitis managed to secure seventh place in the competition, which is very impressive as it is the first time that the boys’ team has qualified for the National Finals at this event.
David Hall, Culford’s Director of Tennis commented “All in all it has been a very satisfying two weeks and excellent for Culford to be amongst the group of leading tennis schools in Great Britain.”
Culford has once again shown strength in depth as their tennis programme reaps rewards, with 14 tennis scholars and exhibitioners benefiting from an excellent education alongside a tailored high performance tennis programme. For more information please contact Karen Tompkinson, Registrar on 01284 385308.