Court starlets prove up for the Challenge

TENNIS

TWENTY-THREE girls from across the North East took part in a prewinter season Team Challenge doubles training event at Sunderland’s Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre.

The day started off with volley skill development in small spaces, where the girls were challenged to use soft hands and controlled patterns with agility and team-building.

Following this Libby Fletcher, a doubles coach specialist, shared her expertise from her own playing days, along with new coach Joss Rae.

Fletcher and her team of coaches Hannah Jeffrey (Boldon LTC), Jo Cunliffe (LTA) and Ashleigh Baines (Sunderland TC) delivered drills including volley interceptions and low approaching volleys.

It was a fast-paced, fun part of the day and prepared the players for the Team Challenge in the afternoon.

Regional Competitions Girls at the Silksworth Team Challenge tennis training event are put through their paces on court (above) and (below) receive coaching advice Coordinator Christine Randall-Klee took over to run the Team Challenge event.

Players came from Boldon, Collingwood/ Cullercoats, Cramlington, David Lloyd Teesside, Sunderland Tennis Centre and Yarm.

Eventual winners were the Team GB squad of Scarlett Wilson Baker, Zoe Parkin, Issy Leaver, Amelia Leaver, Amy Pickering and Rosie Dunkerton.

Runners-up were Team USA, who consisted of Evie Tones, Anna Osborne, Jessica Ridley, Lucy Potts, Annie Pickard and Amelia Richardson.

These players will now return to represent their clubs in the North East Winter League, which runs until March next year.