The Suffolk Lawn Tennis Association held its Awards Evening last Sunday evening at the Kesgrave Community Centre, recognising a wide range of outstanding tennis achievements in the county over the last two years. Both individuals young and old and providers who have contributed to the success of Suffolk tennis were included under an impressive list of categories.
Suffolk LTA Chairman Mike Watling welcomed everyone to the Awards Evening, and congratulated all the winners and nominees. He introduced Iain Anderson, Chief Executive of new sponsors the National Fostering Agency, who made a short speech about fostering in general, the need for more foster carers in Suffolk, and the reason they decided to become involved with county tennis. Iain presented the Awards, together with Suffolk LTA President, Bill Curtis.
Suffolk Men’s Captain Jeremy Cowley had a memorable evening, his awards reflecting the immense contribution he has made, both as a player and a leader. Jeremy captured the Senior Player Award from Ashley Watling and Matt Hough, his Suffolk Men’s County Team took the Senior Team Award, and he was the unanimous winner of the Roger Lynton Trophy for services to the Men’s County Team over a period of time.
The Facility Award was won by Christchurch Park, their courts now a hive of activity in the local community, with Adam Kerr of the Ipswich Borough Council collecting the Local Authority Award. Myles Orton and Ella Monsey took the Junior Player Awards, with Stowmarket Club Coach Chris Cunningham a popular winner of the Coach Award, pipping the Daynes brothers Chris and Richard.
The success of our Veterans’ teams was not overlooked, the Men’s 65 team of Mike Ellis, Geoff Johnson, Phil Morter, Keith Palmer and Colin Stephenson, who won all their 5 matches to gain promotion to Division One, nominated in the Senior Team category, and being awarded their County playing Colours. A standing ovation was given to Gordon Blake, awarded the Derrick Pearce Trophy for his immense contribution to Suffolk tennis over a number of years.
Like Gordon Blake, it’s the hardworking volunteers who keep the game alive and ticking, particularly in a mainly rural county like our own, and this was reflected by the Russell Brabben Volunteer Award. The winner was the Lowestoft and District League Chairman Alan Reeve, held in the highest esteem by local clubs and players for all his dedicated hard work and commitment, highlighted by the running of the League Championships. Martin Ward and Sue Harris were worthy runners-up, and together with Lady Veterans’ captain Vera Penman, all four were given the County Services Award. The full roll of honour was as follows :-
FACILITY: Christchurch Park
LOCAL AUTHORITY: Ipswich Borough Council
CLUB: The Ipswich Sports Club
CLUB/SCHOOL LINK : Holbrook Tennis Club and Primary and High Schools
MINI TENNIS: Tennis Ipswich
JIMMY WATTS ROOKIE GIRL: Kylie Bilchev
JIMMY WATTS ROOKIE BOY: Travis Ireland
JUNIOR BOY: Myles Orton
JUNIOR GIRL: Ella Monsey
SENIOR PLAYER: Jeremy Cowley
JUNIOR TEAM: The 18U County Cup Team
SENIOR TEAM: The Suffolk Men’s County Team
COACH: Chris Cunningham
THE RUSSELL BRABBEN VOLUNTEER: Alan Reeve
THE ROGER LYNTON TROPHY: Jeremy Cowley
THE DERRICK PEARCE TROPHY: Gordon Blake
COUNTY COLOURS: Geoff Johnson, Mike Ellis, Keith Palmer, Colin Stephenson and Philip Morter
COUNTY (services) AWARD: Vera Penman, Martin Ward, Alan Reeve and Sue Harris