Harry and Reuben will be amongst 100 regional finalists from across the country and throughout the day tomorrow they will be assessed by the Barclays’ Ball Kids Talent ID Team at the Westway Sports Centre in London. As I know from my Wimbledon experience being a successful ball kid is far from easy, and the boys will need to show fast court movement, accurate ball collection skills, co-ordination, positive attitude and teamwork.
From this exciting day, the final squad of 30 Barclays’ Ball Kids will be chosen, with the successful youngsters informed by 26th May. In addition to the trials, Harry and Reuben will get the chance to meet former tennis stars, and to take home some fantastic Barclays’ ATP goodies. They will also be given the opportunity to write a short story or blog about their experience on the Barclays’ Ball Kids’ journey so far, and let’s hope they will be leaving room for what would be a fantastic time at the 02 Arena in November !
Whether finally successful or not, Harry and Reuben have done Wortham Tennis Club proud, and their experience will surely be the envy of many other boys competing in the Suffolk Schools’ Singles competitions played at the Royal Hospital School last Sunday. Refereed by Gillian Fewkes, the results were as follows, with the girls competing in their events this Sunday :
Year 11 + U: lst Neil Willemsen (Ipswich) 2nd George Brobbin (Ipswich)
Year 8 + U : lst Jonathan Coleman (Copleston) 2nd Tom Belton (St Albans)
Year 6 + U : cancelled due to lack of entries
Many of these youngsters competed in the 2010-11 Schools’ Winter Singles Leagues, and for the record, the results were as follows :-
SENIOR BOYS: Neill Willemson (Ipswich School)
Highly Commended: Nick Soper ( St.Benedicts, Bury St Edmunds)
JUNIOR BOYS : William Rudolph (Ipswich School)
GIRLS (overall) : Olivia Hine (St.Joseph’s College, Ipswich)
PRIZE FOR SUBMITTING RESULTS: Anna Paton (Combs Middle, Stowmarket)
Staying with Juniors, entries have now closed for the Ipswich Toyota Junior Open, to be staged at Henley Road from Sunday 29th May to Sunday 5th June, inclusive. The Henley Road Men continue apace in the top division of the Aegon National Tennis League, suffering a reality check last Sunday when they went were outgunned on the day by a very strong Bromley team, going down 2-4 despite 100% effort from all concerned. Ipswich battled back in typical fashion after losing all 4 Singles, and the two doubles rubbers won could prove crucial in their fight to stay in the top flight. This Sunday they host Croydon, and are determined to bounce back from a disappointing defeat.