SILKSWORTH WELCOMES STARS FOR THE FUTURE
High class junior tennis returns to Sunderland from tomorrow through to Sunday.
Europe’s top young female players are heading to Silksworth Tennis Centre for the Winter Cup.
It is the fifth successive year the Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis & Wellness Centre will host the Under12s event.
The top eight teams in Europe will play for the coveted title of European champions, with three players from each country taking part.
The teams competing will be Great Britain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine.
Representatives from the tennis association of each country will join their players and coaching staff for the opening ceremony performed by the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Lynda Scanlan, at 9.30am tomorrow.
Each team will be led out into the main sports hall by pupils from Thorney Close Primary School to be welcomed by their national anthems, with the flag of each country displayed throughout the tournament.
Competitors will receive a civic welcome from Mayor Cllr Scanlan, along with local ward councillors and community sport partners.
The event - which has previously had the likes of Victoria Azarenka and Britain’s Laura Robson competing - will culminate with the crowning of the winners before the closing ceremony on Sunday.
Graham Fowler, tennis development manager at Silksworth Tennis Centre, said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting this exciting event for the fifth year at Silksworth Tennis Centre.
“To welcome the next generation of tennis stars to Sunderland is an honour, and one we look forward to each year.
“We hope tennis fans will come along and enjoy this unique chance to see some of Europe’s best tennis talent compete.”
Play will start each day at 9.30am and will finish at 3pm on Friday and Saturday, and at around 2.30pm on Sunday.
The event is free of charge for spectators with no booking required and free car parking available.
Cllr Scanlan said: “As Mayor of Sunderland, I am proud to welcome this prestigious competition back to our city.
“This is one of the most important tournaments in international tennis and the event has produced some of the world’s greatest players over the years.
“I’d like to thank tournament partners Tennis Europe, the Lawn Tennis Association and international sponsors Head for choosing us again to host this fantastic event.
“It’s testament to Sunderland’s proven ability to successfully stage high profile sporting and cultural events, and I’m sure we’ll see some future superstars competing.”
Head of Events at Sunderland City Council, Victoria French added: “It’s fantastic for the city and the region that the 2019 Finals are being held in Sunderland, with our partners at Everyone Active managing this fantastic tennis facility on behalf of the City Council.
“Our city has a proud history of delivering world class international tennis events, and I am sure that all the teams competing will have a great experience during their stay with us and spectators will enjoy watching some amazing matches between potential superstars.”
“I hope seeing the tennis superstars of the future in action at the Tennis Centre, will encourage more young people to try out the excellent facilities and tennis coaching sessions available in Sunderland, and provide a sporting legacy for future generations.”