Tennis has always been a strong sport at Brandeston Hall, and encouraged for the last few years by the expertise and enthusiasm of coach Trevor Wright, the school continues to go from strength to strength. Brandeston Hall is the junior department of Framlingham College, of course, which not only has an outstanding tennis history, but provides the superb setting for the highly popular Framlingham Tournament, the 2nd oldest event in the country after Wimbledon itself, and a “must-play” event for tennis players of all ages and standards every first week in August.
Having dominated the mini orange finals played in cold and windy conditions at Woodbridge a fortnight ago, Brandeston’s “A” team again put in a fine overall performance in the mini green finals (Year 6) finals at the Ipswich Sports Club last week. 10 schools participated in the Suffolk Schools’ mini green tennis competition this year, over 50 children taking to the court, with the following results:-
BOYS: 1,Ipswich “A” 2. Brandeston 3. Culford 4. Ipswich School “B”
MIXED: 1. Brandeston “A” 2. Ipswich 3. Waldringfield 4. Brandeston “B”
GIRLS: 1. Brandeston “A” 2. Orwell Park 3. South Lee 4. Ipswich High
Mini tennis has proved a great introduction to the full-ball game in recent years, and hopefully a percentage of these school players will enjoy further progress in the game and play the game at a higher level. No doubt spurred on by the first week of the Wimbledon Championships, many of the county’s most promising prospects will be competing in the 12 and Under Aegon County Cup this weekend. Both our Boys’ and Girls’ team find themselves in Group D, competing against Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
Richard Daynes captains the Boys’ team, who will be playing at the East Anglian Tennis and Squash Club, Lime Tree Road, Norwich. Several of the Boys’ squad have already performed well in tournaments both locally and nationally, and Suffolk are hopeful of a good showing from Ross Spinner, Noah Cutting, Adam Levey, Jake Davey and the non-travelling squad members Zvonko Bencedic and Travis Ireland. Such weekends are crucial to the development of these young players, providing first-rate competitive opportunities.
Lysette Fulcher, Felixstowe Club coach and herself a member of the Suffolk Ladies’ county team, captains the Girl’s team who will be competing at the Legends Tennis Centre in Haileybury, Hertfordshire. We are hopeful too of a good showing from a talented group of girls, led by number one Sofia Khalyaeva, highly-ranked nationally and considered a real prospect for the future. Sofia will be more than adequately supported by Catherine Whittle, Lottie Summers, Macy Hendin-Walker and India Ball.
The spotlight falls firmly on British tennis during this Wimbledon fortnight, with even more speculation about the future following the imminent departure of Chief Executive Roger Draper. Highlighted by Sport England requirements, the urgent need at the moment is for increased participation, and the Christchurch Park project is an ideal opportunity for players of all ages to take up the game. The interview with Project Manager Trevor Howard has been delayed until next week, with Park Patron Elena Baltacha one of the British players competing at Wimbledon this fortnight.