The event opens with a mini tournament on Sunday, with over 85 Under 10s competing. The mini green event will be run on the new Park courts in Christchurch Park, and the tournament will culminate with a Ratings run event on the final Sunday for all those chasing a few more wins and points. With consolation Singles events and Doubles for all age-groups, there will be plenty of tennis throughout the week for all to enjoy.
Previous years have been a huge success with a number of activities taking place off-court, ranging from BBQs, table tennis and other social events. The Club will also record the whole event with pictures of all the action on and off court for players and parents to take home, with leisure facilities opened up to all including indoor tennis courts, clay courts, squash courts, table-tennis, gym, steam room, sauna, physiotherapist, and of course good food both at the bar and in the Club restaurant.
The Tournament would like to thank all their sponsors, especially Ipswich Toyota, Penn Commercial, who have committed their support for another two years. The Suffolk LTA are doing their best to encourage Clubs to stage such tournaments, with the Ipswich Sports Club event a fine example of what can be achieved with continued hard work, expertise and dedication. Let’s hope the good weather of late will continue, to make it a week for all to remember.
The Sports Club took on Croydon Esporta in their recent Aegon National League fixture on Sunday, another outstanding 5-1 victory moving the side closer than anytime in the club’s history to the very top of team tennis in Britain, skipper Jez Cowley leading by example with a convincing 6-3 6-1 victory over Croydon in the top singles encounter.
Staying with Clubs, it’s congratulations to Roundwood, who celebrated their Centenary with a highly successful lunch last Sunday, and Sproughton coach John Tallent is looking for some friendly matches for his juniors – those interested should contact the club at : tennis@sproughtontennis.co.uk
It’s an important weekend for our promising 10 and Unders, our Girls and Boys’ team competing in the nationwide Aegon 10U County Cup, the Boys travelling with Richard Daynes to Cambridge and the Girls based at Bedford, accompanied by Trevor Wright and Kari Sherington. Both teams are grouped in Group D at the present time.
Ross Spinner, Noah Cutting, Jake Davey and Adam Levey have been selected to represent Suffolk Boys, whilst Catherine Whittle, Harriet Petley, India Ball and Sofia Khalyaeva will be carrying the flag for our Girls. These team events are tremendous fun and excitement for the youngsters involved, who will hopefully be representing Sufolk for many years to come. Who knows, they may well be playing at Senior County Week one day, news coming through recently that the venue for our Ladies is now Tunbridge Wells and not Felixstowe as originally planned.
Last Sunday saw the Suffolk Schools’ Tennis Association running their annual Girls’ Singles Tournament at the Royal Hospital School. Despite a rather disappointing entry, those competing much enjoyed themselves as usual referee Gillian Fewkes reporting the following results achieved on a bright, blustery day, with matches played in an excellent spirit :-
Year 8 and Under : Philippa Clarke (Thomas Mills, Framlingham) bt Olivia Hine (St.Joseph’s College, Ipswich) 4-1 4-0
Year 11 and Under : Lucy Scott (Amberfield) bt Amelie Weinstock (Royal Hospital Schyool) 4-0 4-1