Junior players hailed for achievements at club awards

YOUNG players’ performances were recognised at the Leicestershire Tennis & Squash Club Junior Awards.

The event, attended by about 50 junior players and their parents, was hosted by club performance coach and ex-Davis Cup team member David Ireland, with prizes presented by club president Mike Piper.

Ireland told guests the club had had an outstanding year, with two junior players, Theo Coats, left, and Lonja Engemise, right, winning the Men’s and Ladies’ County Open Singles events in July.

Theo also won the County Open Mixed Doubles with his partner Tabitha Holmes (Oadby). Theo was the fourth youngest winner of the County Men’s event since the tournament started in 1927, and Lonja was the ninth youngest.

Club players make up 63 of the ranking positions in the top 20 county rankings across all age groups, with Amy Cansdale, Soma Engemise, Charlotte Pollard, Riley Ferguson, and Theo Coats all ranked first in their age groups.

Twenty-six youngsters either won or finished runners-up at the Junior County Championships held last August.

Theo also recently competed at a British Tour Men’s Singles event, defeating an ATP world ranked player in the semi-finals. The junior Player of the Year Award, sponsored by Withers Sports, for excellent services and commitment to the club, was won by Nathan Cansdale.

Mr Piper said: “The club is delighted with the progress of all our junior players, not only with the excellent results being achieved by our elite performance players, but by the commitment and dedication of all those young players enrolled on our junior coaching squads.

“We are also indebted to our team of excellent coaches, headed by Dave Ireland (elite performance), and Bobby Brooke (club coaching).”