Rising North Wales tennis star Emily Watson was among the winners at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London this week – as one of Britain’s top tennis volunteers.
Emily, aged 16, from Colwyn Bay, is Welsh under-18 champion, and is equally successful off the court.
She received her British Tennis Award in a presentation during the ATP competition at the O2 Arena from LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) president Peter Bretherton.
Emily is chair of the School Sports Council and a Silver Young Ambassador for Dyffryn Conwy Scool. She has taken her tennis leaders and tournament organiser course, making herself invaluable in umpiring and assisting in mini events and other competitions for junors and adults, and is captain of the Ladies First Team in the North Wales League.
She has helped the lead coach with the Wales performance squads at the James Alexander Barr Tennis Centre twice a week throughout the year, also hitting with the potential mini stars. She has also worked with the head coach to run a parks programme for underprivileged children each Friday through the summer.
The LTA award comes a month after she received the Tennis Wales Young Volunteer Award in a ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport.
“This is a fantastic achievement for Emily,” said Tennis Wales chief executive, Peter Drew. “Not only is she a very talented young player, but she devotes so much of her spare time as a volunteer, making it possible for others to enjoy tennis.
“I’m delighted for her – and receiving the award at a world-class event is a fitting reward for her and the other top volunteers from around Britain.”
The LTA awards recognise a volunteer from each of its seven regions and nations: Wales, Scotland, East, South East, South West, Midlands, and North England.