Junior News
Junior holiday camps
We are holding 3 weeks of holiday camps:
2nd August until the 6th Aug
16th Aug to 20th Aug
24th Aug to 27th Aug
You can book for half a day, one full day or more than one. The price is £15 per day or £10 per half day. The times are 10am to 3 pm
There are 2 formats: Intensive tennis course and Tennis + fun game. Please let us know which you want to do
Contact either Michel 07846883553 or Angie 07979004814 and for the last week contact Alice Crane on 07732988793
Download the entry form here
Payment can be made on the day but you must sign up so we can make sure we have enough coaches.
Junior trip to Eastbourne
On Sunday 13th June 40 Gravesham juniors travelled to the Aegon International tournament at Eastbourne by coach to see top-class tennis from a world-class line up. This year men were included for the first time but one of the most popular draws of the day for our juniors was to watch 18-year old Heather Watson record her first win in the main draw of a tour event. I managed to get a head start on the youngsters by getting Kim Clijsters' autograph but by the end of the day conceded defeat to all manner of hats, t-shirts and balls signed by Caroline Wozniacki, Sam Stosur, Nadia Petrova, Jie Zeng (my favourite), Yanina Wickmayer and the most popular player on the day for her sense of fun, French Open winner Francesca Schiavone.
After lunch the juniors spent a super hour in the tennis play zone while some of the adults spent time in the Pimms zone. In the end everyone agreed that it was a fantastic day out and many thanks to Angie Suleau for arranging the day so brilliantly and all the parents and helpers who came along.
Maksim Balas, aged 6 - He liked the Fun Zone the most. Also he liked an ice-cream and the sportsmen who played tennis in the tournament.
Daniel Bromley, aged 12 - 'Eastbourne was a great experience because we got to watch professional tennis players. The speed of the ball is immensely fast. I recommend that everyone can go so they can have a good day out and watch great tennis.'
Nick Hook, aged 13 - 'Eastbourne was a really good day out as not only did we watch the professionals but we all got signatures from the pro's like Jamie Murray, Almegro etc. we also did some mini tennis there so I think it was a great day out for all of us.'
Josiah Simmons, aged 13 - 'It was a great experience and it was really easy to get autographs and it was easy to see the players as well, there was lots of good players.'
Ben Stroud, aged 17 - 'Eastbourne was a great day out with good grass court weather. Experiencing the level of play of the professionals was inspiring.'
Lawrie Lowe, aged 7 - 'The best part of the day was meeting famous tennis players and getting their autographs'
Marcelle, aged 9 - 'I loved playing tennis with all my friends and seeing famous players.'
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Junior News - June 2010 |
It's an exciting time being between the French Open and Wimbledon with lots of speculation about who will win Wimbledon this year. Our juniors weren't too worried as 40 of them travelled by coach to Eastbourne to get close and personal to some of the big names in tennis. They had a fantastic day out and their report and photos will follow shortly.
We reported last time that our AEGON team tennis was just starting. Well we have just finished with 30 juniors involved. We have won all our matches in 10&U mixed and 12&U and 18&U boys. We entered 8 and 9&U mixed teams for the first time and were pleased that lots of children were able to take part in the 4-player teams. Our 14&U boys 2nd team have had some mixed results but have enjoyed all their matches, finishing 2nd. Thanks to all the players, parents and team captains for ensuring our matches went ahead. We also have lots of juniors playing in adult teams and they are in the thick of it at the moment with the season ending end of July.
Well done to Ewen Reader and and Max Mills who took part in the Kent Road to Wimbledon County finals last weekend in Bromley. In June tournaments at Parklangley Alison Strub lost a 3 set match in the girls 14&U consolation final, whilst at the East Kent Tennis Academy tournament Ewen Reader won the boys 12&U final and Josiah Simmons got through to the boys 14&U quarterfinals. Well done to all who took part.
There's just enough time before the end of term to get the draws up for our junior annual club tournament, the finals of which are on Saturday 4th September.
Well done to the following rating rises:
Ewen Reader 8.2
Daniel Bromley 9.2
Ben Robins 9.2
Ryan Smith 9.2
Jack Michel 10.1
Jake Holmes 10.1
Jamie MacFarlane Orange 2
George Weston Red 2
Our next matchplay is on Tuesday, 27 July. Details on the competition tab.
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Junior News - April 2010 |
Well done to those juniors who have been out and about this Easter. Here are some of their results:
Sutton Grade 2 Tournament:
Mikey Suleau boys 18&U finalist, mens open semi-finals
Tunbridge Wells Grade 3 Tournament:
Ewen Reader 12&U 2nd round, consolation semi-finals
Joe Hicklin 16&U semi-finals, 18&U consolation quarter-finals
Jack Hicklin 18&U consolation quarter-finals
Alex Batchelor 18&U consolation quarter-finals
Knoll Grade 4 Tournament :
Ewen Reader 12&U consolation semi-finals
Josiah Simmons 14&U & 16&U 2nd round
Alison Strub 16&U finals, 14&U consolation winner
Dylan Campbell 16&U quarter-finals
Ben Stroud 18&U consolation final
Maidstone Winter Postal Tournament
Mikey Suleau winner Mens Singles
Ewen Reader winner boys 12&U
Our red/orange/green and yellow matchplays went ahead in the holidays, when we introduced the new 20 minute timed match for 10 rated yellow players. This went down a treat, meaning players could get through more matches and play different people. Our next matchplay is on Monday 3rd May (see competition tab).
Our Friday night junior social starts this Friday (23rd April) from 4.30-6.30 for orange, green and yellow players. This is a free and supervised session for all members. Please come along to meet up with your friends.
Here are the rating rises for the summer season:
7.2: Alex Brown
8.2: Alison Strub, Dylan Campbell
9.1: Conor Davies, Max Mills, Josiah Simmons
9.2: Jonathan O'Connell, Tom Wade, Kieran White
10.1: Ben Robins
Red 2: Lawrie Lowe, Ben Hope
Green 2: Marcelle Lowe, Matthew Crowley
Volcanic ash has affected the start of our junior AEGON team tennis season with some matches cancelled due to players being stranded abroad, although we hope now to be able to get off to a good start. More news on this next time.