Smashing time is had by all as North youngsters rise to the Challenge

DAVID Lloyd Newcastle was one of two North East venues to stage Great Britain Tennis Girls’ Mini Team Challenge events.

Players from clubs at Blaydon, Bohemians, Cramlington Community Tennis Partnership, Cullercoats, David Lloyd Newcastle, David Lloyd Sunderland, Forest Hall, Gosforth, the Northumberland Club, the Northumberland Tennis Academy and Ponteland took part.

The event involved players, volunteer umpires and referees with the aim of encouraging younger girls to play the game in a fun and relaxed environment - and organiser Alison Cartmell was delighted with its success.

She said: ‘It was fabulous to see the girls continuing to enjoy their tennis.

“The players really enjoyed the experience and it is so rewarding to hear they want to play more and have made new friends.”

At the conclusion of the competition, eight teams competed in the mini red section, five in the mini orange category and six in the Mini green section at the Challenge’s regional final, which took place at Sunderland Tennis Centre. These included red and green teams from Blaydon, Cramlington, David Lloyd Newcastle, Forest Hall, Gosforth, the Northumberland Club and Ponteland and mini orange squads from Cullercoats and Tennis World.

In addition to the final, a fun interactive warm-up and workshop for parents and grandparents was staged.