YORKSHIRE NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2019

www.yorkshiretennis.org.uk l [email protected]

Yorkshire players have enjoyed national and international success in 2019 Yorkshire second on n Finn Murgett, 18U Boys’ Singles County Leaderboard National Champion, was one of three Yorkshire semi-finalists in the this summer prestigious National Championships and went on to win the title by beating Johannus Monday in the final, who had beaten Thomas Smart in his semi. Finn has recently competed in his first professional event, ITF at Shrewsbury, where as a wild card he won his first round. With just Winter County Cup to come Paul Jubb, 19, studying at University of South in November, the LTA County Cup Carolina, won the 2019 NCAA Men’s Singles Leaderboard shows Yorkshire in joint Championship. This title has previously been won second place. After finishing in 5th by tennis greats such as John McEnroe and Jimmy place at the end of 2018 this is a major Connors but no Briton has ever achieved this achievement for all of the adult and junior honour until now. His reward was a wild card into players who have competed in 2019. the Wimbledon Championships but before that In the Summer County Cup, after he played in several grass court tournaments. In gaining promotion to Group 1 last year, front of huge crowds at Ilkley Paul reached the the Ladies (pictured above) ended the third round. At Eastbourne, he won two rounds of week in fourth place ensuring play again qualifying, including over (world in Eastbourne in 2020. The Men (below) ranked 33), and proceeded to the main draw. comfortably won Group 3 and promotion Paul returns to USA this autumn to complete his back to Group 2 after being relegated in degree and further his tennis career. 2018. Well done to Luke Johnson who won all of the 12 matches he played. n Luke Johnson, In the Over 35’s County Cup the earned a wild Men’s team in Group 1 were runners-up card into the to defending champions Kent and the Wimbledon Doubles Ladies in Group 2 were third. Championships this year, partnering Evan Hoyt. Luke has enjoyed a fabulous season on the ITF World Tennis n Wilf Jessop, from Sheffield, Tour in Britain and in Europe making quarter and continues to play successfully semi-finals in Singles and has reached nine Doubles on the Seniors circuit. At British finals winning four of them. Open Seniors’ Grass Court n The Junior Championships Wilf won 70+ Yorkshire teams win promotion in County Cup Singles and Doubles events. His Seniors’ Inter-County Championships teams gained achievements in are, two titles however, particularly noteworthy. Women’s 55+, 60+ and 70+ all won their divisions and several Wilf was a part of the British and are promoted to Division 1. Men’s 55+, captained placings in 70+ team, playing at the World by Paul Layfield, won their section in Division 1 and the Finals. Team Championships. He won go on to play Finals in November. Inter-County 18U and 12U Boys (pictured) were all of his matches, two singles Championships involve playing four or five matches crowned Champions. 18U Girls were and four doubles. Wilf stayed on in summer, home or away. The Ladies are looking for Runners-Up, 14U Girls achieved 3rd place to play the Super Seniors World more players across the age spectrum who would like and 12U Girls 4th place. 10U Boys gained Championships where he reached the opportunity to train with other Yorkshire players. a third place whilst 9U, a mixed event, the last 16 in 70+ Singles and the Interested ladies should contact Sally Bickerton saw Yorkshire in the North East group Final of the Mixed. through the YT office:[email protected] win all of their group matches. Training and Developing the Best Young Players in North East Region – New Leeds Regional Player Development Centre

There are 12 Regional Player l Pictured (L to R) Elliot Chang, Richard Crabtree and Tom Loughton Development Centres (RPDCs) On 1st September, the across GB but until now new Leeds Regional Yorkshire’s aspiring young players had to travel to the Player Development only RPDC in the North at Centre opened its doors Bolton. Thanks to the vision and at John Charles Centre drive of John Crowther, for Sport to train Chairman of Yorkshire Tennis, a four-year partnership with and develop the Leeds City Council has been region’s best established at the John Charles Centre for Sport (JCCS). This players has been made possible by aged 10-14. funding provided by sponsors to the tune of £110,000 on top of the grant from the LTA. John Crowther said “ We thought it was unfair to Yorkshire players to have to travel all the way to Bolton in all weathers in winter and they would be disadvantaged. By achieving a regional centre based in Leeds is a major fillip Introducing the coaching team for both our players and their parents.” Richard Crabtree and his wife Laura have brought their new was a coach at Hallamshire Yorkshire’s RPDC is run by coaching and consultancy business, Cultiv8 Tennis & Cultiv8 and then joined Richard at Coach Richard Crabtree Academy to the new Leeds RPDC, combining high-performance Bolton and now JCCS. and supported by Senior tennis coaching programmes with Sport Science Support. Tom Loughton, Performance Coaches Elliot Richard was previously Head managing the programme Performance Coach, took over Chang and Tom Loughton who Coach at Nuffield, Hull for five which had numerous players from Richard at Nuffield Hull all play in Yorkshire’s County years and moved to Bolton who represented Great Britain. following his degree course at team. where he was Head Coach for Richard has also followed Hull University. Tom captains seven years and ran the RPDC a path in tennis many of the Yorkshire 12U Boys’ team Players and programme there until moving to JCCS. his players aspire to, or who recently won the National There are currently 11 players As a Yorkshireman and living have already taken, so his Championship and has been on the RPDC Programme. in Hebden Bridge, the call to experiences at Millfield and coach to 14 year-old Millie Nine players are grant funded, return to coaching in Yorkshire Texas Tech University can only Skelton, who has won multiple with most attending three was one Richard found enhance their education. honours with Yorkshire and to five times per week from irresistible. Elliot Chang, Performance has just commenced the next 5-8pm for 39 weeks per year, At Bolton his successes Coach, a graduate from Leeds stage of her tennis career and continue to work with their included winning three Beckett University where he at the GB National Tennis coaches at their local Yorkshire National Junior Club League captained the team to winning Academy at University of clubs on the days when not titles and coaching and the European student title, Stirling. attending JCCS. Two players, Joseph at various times throughout They are both aspiring to participation in top international Mazingham and Jadesola Cole, the week/weekends. This is attend a US College in 1-2 Junior events including Junior receive NAGP scholarships a major benefit for Yorkshire years’ time so this intense and Grand Slams, and which allows them to attend players who now have focussed training will greatly Tennis Europe’s high profile JCCS full time. For all 11 the ability to improve and improve their chances. events. For the older age groups players tennis coaching is make strides that were not gaining more scholarships at US combined with working on previously available. Kyle Measuring success and Colleges is a major objective. strength and conditioning, Brassington, Ilkley’s Club The new programme has just mental skills and wellbeing Performance Tennis Director, future development started but Richard has plans with the Cultiv8 team. is hugely supportive of the Apart from the various for expanding activities including In addition to the RPDC new developments. coaching structures described the early morning and day time programme, JCCS also hosts Two of the players he has above, players are participating programmes and attracting Yorkshire players aged 10-18, coached with Simon Ickringill in County, Regional and more players to the 4-5pm who are involved in Regional for the last five years, JB National tournaments sessions. He’s also considering training, County training and Pickard and Thomas Horsley, and some represent GB bringing in younger age groups Local Player Development now access the RPDC coaching internationally. but capacity is limited. Expansion Centres (LPDC), providing team and come into contact For Richard Crabtree, of the facilities is therefore an access to the coaching team with different players and success for the venture will ambition he would like to realise. and a range of other players styles of their age and level. be measured by players’ Something to watch!

FOLLOW US on Twitter @YorkshireTennis on Instagram yorkshire.tennis and on Facebook Yorkshire Tennis Meet Sam Salt – 2018 Yorkshire Tennis Coach of the Year Bringing SEND and National Finalist at 2018 LTA British Tennis Awards events to Yorkshire

Sam’s coaching career started Clubs in 2019 at Eccleshall Tennis Club, where he was a member, following his degree in Sports Management at Sheffield Hallam University. He then moved to Beauchief where Sam first coached Sarah Copley and Oliver Wilson who, among others, are both training at the new RPDC as well as at Graves. He became Special Educational Needs Head Coach at Graves in 2015 where tennis has gone from and Disability Tennis Festival strength to strength. comes to Yorkshire In 2019 there are nearly During the Wimbledon Champion- 700 on his weekly coaching ships, Batley Sports Centre hosted programme growing by 127 a SEND Tennis Festival for West between 2017/18 and a further Yorkshire schools. With local and 90 in 2018/19. He continues to LTA funding, 76 children had the head up the LPDC at Graves, is opportunity to experience tennis involved in coaching Club and SPOTLIGHT ON A County teams and captains games and fun activities led by Yorkshire 10U Boys’ team. local coaches from a number of YORKSHIRE COACH clubs and young sports leaders Sam was brought up in a for a time. Tennis was and from all participants at the In preparation for the event, sports mad home in Wales remains Sam’s first love and LPDC and those he coaches two of the coaches offered free where mum was a netballer, he continues to represent now in the RPDC. Tennis Leader courses at a number dad played badminton and North Wales in the Men’s Everyone who knows Sam tennis and younger brother County Cup team and Graves recognises he’s a very driven of schools sponsored by Yorkshire Phil played professional in National Premier League. and focussed individual and Tennis Associate Membership cricket. As a youngster Sam In terms of the future, loves parents and children Funding. 32 Tennis Leaders went showed dedication to tennis, at Graves, he’s focussing who are passionate and on to help the coaches and the football and cricket. He on increasing the number striving to be better! Let’s students on the Festival day with played County level tennis, of players coming into the hope his children, Harvey great enthusiasm. The event has attended various football game, encouraging them to (pictured above with Sam) inspired schools to offer leadership academies and then played play more frequently, raising and Hannah, listen to dad courses again and training for semi-professional football standards and expectations and follow in his footsteps! SEND teachers to attend a Tennis CPD course next year. For further information about participation in a SEND tennis An Update on delivering new LTA Vision course, visit the LTA website.

Abbie Lench, Head of Clubs, Counties and Regional Player Volunteering provides a Development few examples of the work Centres to support being done to grow tennis high potential juniors to progress in Yorkshire and beyond, and develop. Read helping to open up tennis more about the to many more people new Yorkshire and make it relevant, RPDC opposite. accessible, welcoming and enjoyable: l Getting rackets into the hands of more communities and with around half of l Bringing Tennis to Fans: earlier this year children is crucial and the Tennis for Kids participants coming from Black, African Britain invested in hosting the Fed Cup at programme, launched on the back of GB’s and Minority Ethnic groups. home for the first time in a generation. win in 2015 and ’s l Open Court Disability Tennis Programme: The qualification event in Bath set a new Wimbledon achievements, has ensured one of the largest of its kind in any sport, attendance record whilst the Play-Off at hundreds of thousands of children have with GB regarded as one of the leading the Copper Box attracted more fans than picked up a racket and learnt to play. nations for disability tennis Yorkshire any of the World Group ties. l Earlier this year LTA became the first regularly stages regional and national l Engaging with Children at Major Grass organisation to sign the new Sporting competitions for learning disability, visually Court Events in June: the opportunity Equals charter promoting ethnic diversity impaired and wheelchair tennis. Read about was taken to engage with over 40,000 in sport. The SERVES programme takes SEND Tennis Festival above. young boys and girls to pick up a racket tennis to new people and new places l Long Term Performance Strategy: and enjoy playing tennis in communities focussing on the most disadvantaged LTA has opened over 60 Local and around the various events.

FOLLOW US on Twitter @YorkshireTennis on Instagram yorkshire.tennis and on Facebook Yorkshire Tennis Yorkshire Championships – top performing County COUNTY ROUND UP for participation enjoy a glass of wine or tea and Referee Dave Kitchen is a proud man. cake. Back in 2014, less than 200 people The Women’s played the ‘Yorkshires’. After taking on 40+ Doubles event, the organisation of the Championships he a round robin, vowed to make it the largest in Britain. was won by Gillian In 2019, with 543 entrants, Dave has Kilner and Rebecca achieved his goal and Yorkshire is the first Lee, pictured County to achieve over 500 players. bottom right, with For events played at the main venue runners up Vanessa (JCCS), all the Singles finals were umpired Cameron and and the first Wheelchair event took place Carolyn Rothwell which was won by Nick Smith, pictured (left). Men’s Singles (left) with runner-up Lucas Town. winners were Dave Some of the highlights include Eleanor Singles Champion; RPDC players Louis Mangham (45+), Paul Layfield (55+), David Dean retaining her Women’s Singles title; Stuart, Oliver Wilson, Joseph Mazingham, Brown (60+) and David Whitelaw (65+). In Jordon Reed-Thomas regaining the Men’s Sarah Copley and Thomas Vale taking a 2020 the Seniors will be played at JCCS Singles title he won in 2017; Gabriella number of Singles and Doubles titles. with the other events. Lindley retaining the 16U Girls’ Singles The Yorkshire Seniors events, held on title and also becoming 18U Girls’ Singles grass at Chapel Allerton, allowed players l All of the results can be found on the Champion; JB Pickard becoming 18U Boys’ and guests to watch on the balcony and Yorkshire Tennis website.

l Pictured (L to R) Eleanor Dean, Gabriella Lindley, JB Pickard, Jordan Reed-Thomas and Joseph Mazingham

needed to resurface the courts Rustlings LTC – as an immediate priority and new courts and at the same time applied for planning permission to install a bright future floodlights on three courts. Rustlings is the oldest tennis With a grant of £4k and a club in Sheffield and located loan of £25k from Advantage close to the city centre. A very Yorkshire, towards the £64k friendly club with an active costs, resurfacing of the social programme, coaching courts and groundwork for

Karen Ross Photography Ross Karen run by Hallamshire Academy floodlighting commenced at of Tennis and participation in the end of July. Rustlings has for launching careers so keep the Sheffield & District summer once again courts to play on all Sunny June an eye on Dominic Koepfer. leagues. year round. Aged 25 he came into Ilkley In 2018 it was recognised Installation of floodlights, week at the ranked 167 and recently that lack of floodlights and the next phase of the reached his highest ranking five tarmac courts showing development, requires further Ilkley trophy of 85 after making the last 16 signs of deterioration were funding of £30k, which the at the US Open as a qualifier. impeding the expansion and club is now actively involved After all the rain in May and , aged 23, further development of the in raising. The aim for 2020 is poor weather at previous played Ilkley in 2016 and is Club. Earlier this year the to realise the expansion of all Trophy tournaments, Ilkley currently ranked 4th in the Club decided, therefore, they activities at the club. was mainly bathed in sunshine world and he played Ilkley in and the crowds came out. 2016. Call for nominations for the 2019 LTA National Even the early part of the Magdalena Rybarikova week saw a packed Centre won Ilkley in 2017 and Tennis Awards – entries by 31st October Court particularly when the then reached the semis at Yorkshire has performed extremely well in both the 2017 and Brits were in action. Wimbledon. , 2018 LTA Awards. In 2017 Robert Balmforth won Official of the On Finals Day both the Canadian 19 year-old Year and Skipton Tennis Centre won Club of the Year. In 2018 Singles Finals went to three US Open Champion, played Yorkshire was runner up in three categories, Official of the sets. Dominic Koepfer from at Ilkley last year when she Year, Coach of the Year and Competition of the Year. There are Germany was Men’s Singles qualified and reached the last ten categories and if readers want to nominate an outstanding Champion and Romanian 16. She was ranked 178 just 12 individual, club or tennis venue, then please make a nomination Monica Niculescu lifted the months ago but after winning to the LTA by 31st October: www.lta.org.uk/about-us/what-we- Women’s Singles Trophy. several titles is ranked 5th in do/lta-tennis-awards/ Yorkshire’s Awards evening will be held Ilkley is a great tournament the world. on Monday 9th December at the Holiday Inn, Garforth.

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