Over the net

Jubilee Parties
for girls 13 & under with little or no previous competitive experience

Aylesbury LTC on Monday 3 June

Seven girls all under 13, but of varying sizes, turned up promptly at 10.00 a.m. on a sunny morning - this didn't last!  The getting to know each other bit was made a lot easier by three of the girls discovering that they had been at school together a few years previously but had lost touch.  An exchange of telephone numbers followed which made the party already a success in one of its aims of bringing like people together, before a tennis ball had even been played.  In order to get everyone in the mood we then had a vigorous warm-up followed by a fun game and then the "serious" part of the morning began.  The idea was for everyone to play 7 games against everyone else but this had to be reduced to 5 games due to lack of time - and exhaustion!  Everyone was of a similar standard so several competitive games were played but eventually a winner emerged.  Charlotte Ward from Haddenham just pipping her older sister Sarah at the post.  Prizes were presented to all over a delicious party lunch much appreciated after their exertions, while the parents wisely adjourned to the bar.  At the end of the morning it was unanimously agreed that a good time was had by all.  My thanks go to Sally Start for generously giving up her time and helping me on the day.

Glynis Lambert

Glynis did a radio interview on Mix 96 in connection with the event.

Barnstable - Park Lane Tennis Club on Tuesday 4 June

Ten girls took part and the event was divided into two competitions, one for little girls and one for older girls.
Rebecca Kingdom won the little girls event and Jenna Barrett was the runner-up while the overall winner of the older girls was Isabella Fricker and the runner-up Antonia Colan-Moreno.  It was a very good day.

Catherine Moore

Bridgend on Saturday 1 June

An enjoyable day was had by all seventeen girls - many of whom had never played 'competitively' before.  Grace Chubb was the winner.

Stephen Richards, Shan Llewellyn and Van Richards made sure that everyone felt welcome, and with all the prizes available, no-one went home empty-handed!  An excellent buffet was provided by the Club, and the general feeling was - "When's the next one?"

Stephen Richards

Brunel University on Sunday 2 June

12 girls took part and thoroughly enjoyed the day as it was very informal.  They received some coaching and had fun games as well as matches.  The winner was Karis Lane.  

Sharon Walker

Caunton Club on Tuesday 4 June

12 girls took part and thoroughly enjoyed the day.  The winner was Alice Banks.  

Dawn Maskill

Chesham Bois on Sunday 2 June

15 girls had a thoroughly lovely time and for some of them this was their first "Tournament."  It was vital that the players went away with a pleasant experience on the day even when they lost their matches and hopefully this was achieved.  The players were divided into three groups and everyone had lots of tennis which finished just before the rain came down.  The group winners were: Heather McNeil, Romily Smith and Sophie Madden.

Many of the girls have signed up to play in the Starter Tournament scheduled for 7 July.

Lucy Bird

Clissold Park London N16 on Tuesday 4 June

10 girls took part and the event was divided into two sections and also coaching was given for two hours.  The Green event was won by Anja Lofinmakindutta and the 13 & under by Crystal Charles.

Jan Coombs

Edenbridge on Saturday 1 June

The highest number of girls at any one venue was here at Edenbridge with thirty-six in all taking part under a bright blue sky and in brilliant sunshine - just perfect for a tennis party.  The format was doubles and the winning pair (see below holding the cup) were Katie Lister and Claire Timmins from Wokingham with Georgia Spokes and Rosie Tennant as runners-up.

The new trophy was purchased for the event which is now certain to become a regular on the annual calendar. 

Hèléne Jackson

Exeter - Victoria Park Tennis Club  on Saturday 1 June

Twenty-seven players took part and overall there were two winners - Alice McNeile won the mini tennis section and Katherine Bell the tennis section for older girls.

Will McNally

Hadley Wood on Monday 3 June

12 girls took part and thoroughly enjoyed the day as it was very informal.  They received some coaching and had fun games as well as matches.  The winner was Sophie Berlyn.

Chris Hepworth

Halifax - Queen's Sports Club  on Tuesday 4 June

The Party was run as a round robin, first to 4 games one set, with Jo Bullock winning all her matches.  The day went well and everyone had a good time.

Simon Taylor

Huddersfield on Sunday 2 June

Despite the low numbers the girls had a great time and played in a round robin box with Tamara Dutt finishing first.

Sarah Bennett

Quote from Huddersfield Examiner Newspaper on May 23

Huddersfield and Thongsbridge tennis clubs are hoping to become record-breakers.
As part of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations, The British Women's Tennis Association are staging 30 Jubilee tennis parties nationwide.
The aim is to attract hundreds of girls into tennis under an innovative scheme organised by the BWTA.
Each 'party' will be designed to give to girls as much tennis as possible in a spirit of fun with refreshments provided.
And the event could make the Guinness Book of Records as the most girls ever on course across the country playing tennis at the same time.

On Saturday 1 June, 11.15-11.25 a.m., Sarah did a 10 minute live interview on BBC Radio Leeds about the events and the role of BWTA.

Ivybridge Tennis Club on Tuesday 4 June

Sixteen players took part with Flo Barton emerging as the winner and Cory Fletcher as runner-up.

Janet Richardson

Manchester Northern on Tuesday 4th June

On a very sunny day, play started after a photo session by the Manchester Evening News with eight players playing a round robin short set, first to 4 games, each playing seven matches.  The overall winner was Imogen Lewis Holland.  Drinks and snacks were provided and all competitors received prizes - T-shorts, teddies, pens and balloons.

Soraya Haye

Quote from Manchester Evening News Wednesday June 5 2002

Girls called in for life of service

While many tennis big-hitters battled it out at the French Open in Paris, youngsters in Didsbury celebrated the Bank Holiday by putting their own skills to the test.
Girls from South Manchester, aged 13 and under, took part in a tennis fun day at Northern Lawn Tennis Club on Palatine Road.
The event, organised in association with the British Women's Tennis Association, was intended to encourage more girls to take up the sport.  The day included round robin matches and everyone received a prize, with medals for the winners.
More than 30 parties were organised nationwide, with another North West fund day at Lostock Tennis Club, in Bolton, and Lymm Tennis Club, in Cheshire.
Northern event organiser Soraya Haye said "The response has been brilliant and running the course during the Jubilee made it a lovely occasion for everybody."

Newport South Wales on Saturday 1 June

Seven girls took part and the winner was Stephanie Davies.

Mary Hunter

Penarth Lawn Tennis Club on Saturday 1 June

Eighteen girls turned up for the Jubilee Tennis Party at Penarth.  

The girls were divided into four groups with the winner from each group going through to play in the semi finals.  Charlotte Evans and Katie Williams from Penarth, Hannah John from Rhiwbina and Rebecca Leeke from Cowbridge were the semi finalists.

The girls who did not manage to reach the semi-finals played friendly doubles matches before retiring to the clubhouse with the other girls for a delicious Jubilee tea and presentation.  All the girls had great fun and were thrilled to receive their various prizes of T shirts, teddy bears, pens and sweets.
The day was a great success enjoyed by the girls, parents and club members alike.  In fact the girls enjoyed it so much that they have asked if the club will organise another similar event in the near future.

Christine Pegg

Plymouth - Hill Lane Junior LTC  on Saturday 1 June

Eight players took part with Emily Goss being the overall winner.

Rachel Curtis

Sheen Lawn Tennis Club London SW14 on Tuesday 4 June

A very successful afternoon with 12 keen and enthusiastic competitors.  The overall winner was Olivia Archibald of Putney.

Ash Taylor

Stony Stratford on Sunday 2 June

Eight girls took part in absolutely brilliant weather.  Congratulations to Jennifer Warner for winning and to Hannah Edward as runner-up.  Parents helped and watched the tennis and a special thank you is due to Sue Warner and Gail Fulcher for helping with the food and to Peter Collyer of making excellent tea and coffee.

Caroline Care

West Bridgford on Saturday 1 June

The morning went very well, enjoyed by all the twelve girls of various standards who took part.  The prize of free membership to BWTA was done by a draw and was won by Chloe Sefton of West Bridgford.

Sue Reesby

Woodthorpe Club on Tuesday 4 June

The day was enjoyed by all the eight girls of various standards who took part.  The prize of free membership to BWTA was won by Hannah Brady.

Sarah Wright