Dates are set for Tony Blair Tennis Challenge
Primary schools across the North East are being invited to take up the Tennis Challenge this summer to get their hands on the Tony Blair Challenge Cup.
The Tony Blair Sports Foundation is working with the LTA and Northumbrian Water to run a tennis tournament specifically for Year 4 pupils across Durham and Cleveland, Northumberland, Tees Valley and Tyne and Wear.
Each school will enter a team of eight, four boys and four girls who will battle it out in four area qualifiers. The winner and runner up from each area will go on to the Grand Final in June.
The competition will be played using the mini tennis format which uses a smaller size court and lighter balls so is ideal for beginners. It is being supported by Northumbrian Water who will be enlisting volunteers to help run the events, funding transport for schools to and from the venues and supplying water and goodie bags for the participants.
Jeanette Pickard, Chief Executive of the Tony Blair Sports Foundation said:
"We want this to be a great experience for both the children and the teachers and inspire them to play tennis more regularly. For many of the children it will be the first time they have played a tennis match so we want to make it fun so that they are keen to carry on playing."
LTA Talent Ambassador Greg Rusedski said:
"Competition is so important for young players as they learn to adapt their game and it helps them to develop a healthy, competitive spirit. It is fantastic that through the Blair Foundation, the youngsters of the North East will have more opportunity to compete and hopefully we will see more young talent emerging and more juniors playing regularly."
Louise Hunter, Corporate Responsibility Manager for Northumbrian Water said:
"We are much more than just a water and waste treatment company. Northumbrian Water is immersed in the community life of the people it serves and this event gives us the opportunity to, not only actively promote the vital value water plays for a healthy life, but also gives our employees the chance to volunteer and get involved on and off the court."
The dates for the four qualifiers are as follows:
Northumberland: Wednesday 21st May at Northumberland County Ground.
Tees Valley: Thursday 22nd May at Tennis World, Middlesbrough
Tyne and Wear: Friday 23rd May at Northumberland County Ground
Durham: Friday 6th June at Puma Tennis Centre, Sunderland
The Grand Final will be played at Puma Tennis Centre, Sunderland and a provisional date has been set for Friday 13th June.
The deadline for entries is Friday 15th February and entry to the competition will be given on a first come first served basis.
For further information on how your school can get involved please contact: Joanna Cunliffe Tennis Development Manager tel: 0191 522 5005 or email: Jo.Cunliffe@LTA.org.uk