Good junior competition is crucial to the progress of tennis in the county, and it’s good to hear of the start of the revived Suffolk LTA Junior Winter League. A total of 29 teams have entered, with Newmarket, Woodbridge, A + M Coddenham, Wortham, Sproughton, Felixstowe, Culford, Haverhill, Stradbroke, Lavenham and Framlingham supporting the event, together with newcomers Red Lodge.
Clubs such as Haverhill and Lavenham will have a very busy Winter schedule as they also enter teams in the Halstead and District League. Boys’ 16U, 14U and 12U, plus a Girls’ 14U match will comprise the fixtures, which will take place between now and the middle of December. Where possible clubs have been divided into East/West Groups to cut down on travelling, and at the completion of the fixtures there will be a Play-Off final between the regional winners to determine the overall age-group champions.
The champions will be awarded individual medals, together with certificates for their clubs, and this season, to mark the re-launch of the league, funding has been received from the Suffolk LTA Stimulus Fund to reward the winning teams to enable them to purchase equipment for use withing their club, thus ensuring that the juniors are able to contriburte to the overall benefit of their clubs.
It’s early days yet, but the two results received so far are first in the 12U Boys where Wortham beat Newmarket, with a very strong Felixstowe Girls’ team defeating Wortham. It is very much hoped these juniors will enjoy the taste of team competition, and that clubs will later enter teams in the national Aegon Summer League. Who knows, Suffolk might unearth an Andy Murray, Heather Watson or Laura Robson with participation and enjoyment of paramount importance.