Tennis fans the world over are arguably enjoying the greatest era the game has ever seen, and we all wait with great anticipation for the climax to Wimbledon 2012. The Championships are a great inspiration for all aspiring British tennis players, however young or old, and of whatever standard. This Summer period is always a busy one for clubs throughout the county, especially if the weather is kind, and watching the greatest players battling it out on the courts only serves to encourage greater participation and ambition.
Chris Cunningham, worthy recipient of the Coaching category at the recent Suffolk LTA Awards evening, is typical of the many coaches fully involved with any number of activities at the present time. At his vibrant
Stowmarket Club, all ages and abilities are currently involved, ten of his best 16 and Unders competing in a tournament earlier this month, with each player scheduled to play 4 or 5 matches. This was a great chance for some of those juniors to experience the atmosphere of a real tournament for the first time, all the competitors fighting hard and enjoying the action. Stowmarket hosts tournaments for all age-groups every quarter and often has visiting players from other clubs to give the home grown talent an extra challenge.
Chris gave a helping hand at the Suffolk LTA tennis rig in the Sports Village on its only day of public access this year, a constant stream of enthusiastic youngsters much enjoying the mini games, rallies and attempts to “beat the coach”.With the fitness of the top players truly phenomenal these days, the Stowmarket coaches will soon be undertaking some specific “cardio tennis” training, to add a little spice to the programme. Cardio tennis is fitness-based, with the emphasis on movement and work rate rather than technique. Club players bored with gym work can look forward to these sessions starting later in the Summer, with the chance to get fit whilst having a lot of fun !
Summer camps are approaching fast, and start once the long holidays begin, so posters will be landing in schools in the Stowmarket area very soon. Places are always very limited and offered on a “first come, first served” basis, so any youngsters interested should look out for the application forms. Attracting new members is always high on the priority list of tennis clubs, and to this end, Stowmarket will be hosting an Open session at the club this Sunday, July lst, from 2pm to 5pm. Coaches, committee members and volunteers will all be on hand, with rackets available to borrow. All are welcome and no previous experience is required. For further information about Stowmarket, contact Chris Cunningham on 01449-673246.
Many of our more experienced junior players will certainly have Wimbledon on their mind, as they try to battle through to the Road to Wimbledon County Finals, to be held at Framlingham College on July 15th. Boys have been competing from Holbrook, Haverhill, Wortham, Framlingham College, A + M Tennis, the Ipswich Sports Club, Culford,Risbygate and SWAT, with the Girl competitors representing Holbrook, Framlingham College, Culford and the Ipswich Sports Club. The keener players will already be looking forward to the usual busy Summer tournament programme, which opens with the revived Ipswich Parks Tournament, re-instated following the great success of the Christchurch Park programme.
It is always a big let-down for tennis fans once the high drama and excitement of Wimbledon is over, though we do at least have the consolation of the Olympic tennis to follow soon afterwards on the hallowed turf of SW19, with the groundstaff certainly have to work overtime. It should not be forgotten that local tennis fans do have a wonderful opportunity to watch some quality tennis and follow “the stars of the future” starting the day after Wimbledon, when the East of England tournament takes place on the Bath Road courts of the Felixstowe Tennis Club. Then the following week the entertainment moves on to Frinton, which is not so far away, so the enthusiasts can continue to watch some superb tennis close at hand, for very little cost too !