Sidmouth Tennis Club junior section continues to grow and prosper under the charge of coaches, Sue and Daryl, writes Kate Truman.

This year’s Davis Cup Legacy programme was a great success, resulting in ten new five-to-eight year old players joining a follow-on course at the club on Saturday mornings, and all age groups are making rapid progress and enjoying plenty of opportunities to compete.

A total of six teams, ranging in age from six years to 17 years, took part in the summer programme of Aegon tennis matches, travelling as far afield as Ilfracombe.

All gained massively from the doubles and singles match play exposure, not to mention the whole experience of travelling and competing socially as a team at different venues.

There were a few wins along the way, too; always a great confidence boost!

Meanwhile, some of the club’s juniors also took part in the national Road to Wimbledon contest; the biggest junior tournament for U14 players in British tennis.

Both Jed Ionov-Flint (12yrs) and Jessie Wiltshire (14yrs) played superbly to progress to the County Finals in Ivybridge last weekend, but, sadly, failed to do enough on the day to progress to the National Finals at Wimbledon in August.

It was, nevertheless, a terrific achievement by both and Jed will have one more chance to make it to the Finals next year.

Back in Sidmouth, the club’s own junior championships have also been running in the background.

Congratulations go to group winners Oliver Knight (7yrs; Mini-Red champion), Reece Taylor (9yrs; Mini-Orange champion) and Jed Ionov-Flint (12yrs) who defeated Taine Benson in the Boys U14 final – all star players in the making.

Last, but not least, a number of juniors from Sidmouth and the surrounding area joined forces with an adult relative on 11 June to compete in the national Mini Quorn Family Championships.

It was a brilliant afternoon of great tennis played by all but, eventually, it was Sidford’s Marilyn Barlow and her 9yr old step-grandson, Reece Taylor, who triumphed.

“All in all, it’s been a successful, enjoyable and incredibly busy summer of tennis for our juniors!” said Sue Wiltshire. “It’s a pleasure to work with such an enthusiastic group of youngsters and very satisfying to see them progress and, most importantly, really enjoy their tennis. There’s a lot of talent within the Club and it’s an exciting time for Sidmouth tennis.”

The U18 Quorn Family Doubles Championships (for junior players born September 1, 1998 to August 31, 2006 playing with an adult relative) will take place at Sidmouth Tennis Club on Sunday, September 10, and you do not have to be a member of the club to enter. Please contact Sue Wiltshire (07402 047011 or sue.wiltshire@talk21.com) if you’d like to register or find out more.