The Aegon National Club league will once again provide the focus of competition for many senior and junior club players alike, with the Ipswich Sports Club already making a spectacular start to their 2011 campaign, where they take on the country’s elite having captured the Regional Division title last season. An initial away victory against David Lloyd Raynes Park has raised hopes for the months ahead, with a home match at Henley Road this Sunday against an equally strong Bromley team.
Suffolk Men’s champion Jeremy Cowley is clearly a key player for the Ipswich squad, and his drive and enthusiasm will certainly be put to the test as he leads Suffolk Men in the lofty heights of Group 3 at Hunstanton in July. Suffolk Ladies will be participating in the new 3-day format and hoping to battle their way out of Group 6B, hopefully spurred on by local support as they enjoy home advantage at Felixstowe.
The Bath Road courts will once again host the high quality East of England Tournament, where the “stars of the future” parade immediately following a Wimbledon fortnight which sees the 125th anniversary of the Men’s Singles. July and August are full of great tournament opportunities, with the usual calendar of events at Bury, Framlingham, Frinton, Lowestoft and Felixstowe, a vibrant circuit concluding as usual with the Suffolk Junior Closed Tournament at Henley Road.
April has already seen a highly successful Suffolk Open Veterans’ Tournament, a very well supported Thorpeness Tournament, and Copleston running an Easter event in line with the LTA policy of clubs running tournaments, LTA Chief Executive Roger Draper visiting both. Adam Rudolph, Harper Mills and Travis Green were the mini champions, with Gabriel Watson beating Tom Belton 6-0 6-2 in the 14Us. Apart from club and school fixtures, our juniors were involved in the Lionel Cox trophy recently, and there are 10U and 12U Aegon County Cups to come.
The majority of these juniors are sure to be competing in the Grade 3 Ipswich Toyota Junior Open, which runs from Sunday 29th May to Sunday 5th June. Entries close on Tuesday 17th May, and as is the system these days, competitors can enter online at : www.lta.org.uk (competition refderence SUF109) Otherwise, contact the Tournament Referee Neil Songer at Calabona, Mill Hill, Capel St Mary, Ipswich, IP9 2JE. (e-mail: neilsonger@tiscali.co.uk; tel: 07780-695584)
The intent is that this column will reflect tennis activity at all levels throughout the county, and please let me have lots of information concerning your club, school or tennis activity, sending this to: petermornard@aol.com; tel: 01473-274146. I’m pleased to advertise that Felixstowe Tennis Club are running a Ladies’ Tournament in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer. The date is Saturday 2lst May, and for just £5 you can enjoy tennis, afternoon tea and a raffle, at the same time as supporting a very worthy cause. Contact either Nicki at : nnrrtt@hotmail.com; tel@ 07899971858, or Lysette on: 07889972214.
Finally, four Suffolk LTA officials will be attending the British Tennis Experience at the National Tennis Centre this weekend, and we will very proudly be exhorting the many tennis achievements throughout the county. Our rural clubs are working hard to develop community activities, with both Saxmundham and Haverhill holding successful Open Days recently . The Christchurch Park programme is also another great example of tennis being made available for all, and information on a comprehensive Suffolk Tennis programme can be found in our online Handbook at: tennis east@lta.org.uk.