INTERNATIONAL
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REGIONAL
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Merseyside schoolboy Matthew Cunliffe a smash
hit on North West tennis courts September 15 – A Merseyside schoolboy is proving to be a smash
hit on the North West tennis courts. Following a summer
of success across the region’s junior tennis circuit and recognition at a
county level by the Lawn Tennis Association, seven-year-old Matthew Cunliffe
is hoping to make the big breakthrough at national level.Š The Rainhill
youngster is ranked number one in his age group in Lancashire, which is
largely down to victories in several county competitions. He also
recently qualified for the Lancashire Open where he finished in the top five
– quite an achievement if you consider the fact he encountered players two
years his senior in the prestigious tournament. The
young prodigy is a member of the North West Regional Performance Squad that
trains weekly at Robin Park Wigan, under coaches Neil Adams and Adam Flint. This
year he will be seeking a place in the LTA’s performance network, taking his
first tentative steps towards this goal when he attends a Regional Talent ID
session, later this month, at Bolton Arena. “I
think Matthew’s determination to be a winner is his greatest strength,” said
his proud dad, John. “He
refuses to be beaten. “At
the moment he is usually 10 or 11 inches taller than his opponents, which
gives him a real advantage in power and reach. “He
has been recognised by the LTA for his potential and does weekly performance
squads and individual training at their centre of excellence in Wigan for
under-10s. |
“He
was also selected to play in Leeds at the beginning of the year against a
county team from Yorkshire and won all of his matches. “To
maximize his potential he has two private lessons, a double squad session and
attends a regional performance squad each week. “We
estimate spending nearly £100 a week on his tennis including lessons and
equipment. Any help we could receive via sponsorship or other contributions
from people or organisations willing to support local talent would be
gratefully received.” Winning
Wimbledon is the Rainhill St Ann’s schoolboy’s long-term aim and his
favourite player is Rafael Nadal – he even wears a replica of the Spanish
star’s pink shirt to play in competitions! Anyone wishing
to help sponsor Matthew can send an email to johnc8@hotmail.co.uk for full
details. Liverpool Echo St Peter's serve up tennis success September 16 – St Peter’s High
School's reputation as one of the premier tennis establishments in the county
continues to grow. Success has come for two of their youngest players,
10-year-olds Charlie Chapman and Oliver Palmer. Chapman won a Grade Four event in Hereford and went on
to reach the quarter-finals of the Under-12 County Championships, despite
being almost two years young for the event. Palmer has had an impressive summer of results,
reaching the quarter-finals or better in every tournament he has entered
since Easter. This run has included two tournament victories – in a
Grade Three event in Bristol in May and the Under-10 County Championships at
the East Gloucestershire Club where he won the doubles title. Gloucester
Citizen |
Sisters lead
youthful take-over on court September 25 – Todmorden Lawn
Tennis Club has enjoyed a very successful season with teenagers Eve and
Olivia Marshall leading the way. Eve
recently won an under-12 LTA ranking tournament in Sheffield while Olivia
reached the under-14 quarter-final at the Lancashire Open, beating the fourth
seed on her way, and won an LTA ranking tournament at Wetherby. Todmorden News |
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