View more images from the 2007 Lowestoft and East Suffolk Junior
Tennis Tournament
The 13th – 18th August saw the 55th Lowestoft and East Suffolk
Junior Tennis Tournament take place once again at Normanston Park
in Lowestoft. With the retirement of our long-time sponsor, Juler
Sports and no commercial sponsor coming forward, Councillor Wendy
Mawer, Waveney District Council Deputy Chair and Delegated
Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, stepped in due to her firm
belief in sport and recreation as part of a healthy life
style.
2007 Competitors
Councillor Mawer said ‘I could not see the
Tournament go unrecognised as it provides an ideal competitive
opportunity for youngsters across the Waveney district and from the
rest of England. It is truly a delight to see so many young people
- from the age of eight - enjoying sport with such
enthusiasm!”
There was a very good response with entries reaching almost 70
young people competing in the various categories, ranging from 10
to 18 and under. The overall standard of tennis played was
first-rate and some exciting matches were narrowly won!
Left to right: Helen Devereux, Cllr Wendy Mawer, Ken
Strong, Jonathon Block
The Tournament founder Ken Strong, who once again, was on hand
throughout the week to give his invaluable support and advice,
presented the Ken Strong Cup and event prizes with Councillor Wendy
Mawer. We are most grateful to Suffolk County Council for their
support in funding this year’s trophies and thanks must also go to
John Easter Trophies for making such a superb job of the winners
and runners-up prizes.
Jane Lewis from the Waveney District Council Sports & Leisure
Development Team said, “It has been an incredible week, with some
great tennis and fantastic support from the players’ families and
friends who did not let a few rain showers dampen their support!”
The smooth running of the event was thanks to Tournament Referee,
Simon Jordan, with support from Ken Strong and Sophie Moore. Thanks
also go to Paul Chivers at Normanston Park for all his help and
support during the week. “It was another successful Tournament and
I look forward to next year’s event, especially with the welcome
news that following the commitment of capital funds, resurfacing of
the six all-weather courts at Normanston Park will take place later
this year (2007).”
Alex Holmes
There were some outstanding performances by regular competitors and
in particular Alex Holmes (Beccles) who took both the 18 &
under and 16 & under boys singles titles. With a tie-breaker in
the first set, James Brabben and Ben Foster (both of Lowestoft)
went on to win the 16 & under boys doubles. The 18 & under
girls singles was won by Emma Slater (Lowestoft) in a round robin,
who also won the 18 & under mixed doubles with Ben Foster
(Lowestoft) and was runner up in both the 16 & under girls
singles and the 16 & under mixed doubles with Conor McQuistin
(Beccles). Sarah Reynolds (Lowestoft) was successful in both the 16
& under girls singles and the 16 & under mixed doubles with
James Mitchell (Gorleston).
Owain McQuistin & Alex Slater
Owain McQuistin (Beccles) and Alex Slater (Lowestoft) were
challenged by Liam Bligh (Lowestoft) and Joshua Towers (Haverhill)
as they battled furiously in a closely fought two-set match, each
going to a tie-breaker, but Alex and Owain eventually took the 14
& under boys doubles title. Joshua Towers also narrowly missed
out on the 12 & under boys singles, which was won in three sets
by Benjamin Abbott (Canterbury). The 12 & under boys doubles
was won by Connor Bligh (Lowestoft) and George Castle (Framlingham)
and the 14 & under boys singles was admirably won by Oliver
Bailey (Lowestoft). Despite defeat in the singles, Callum Warford
(Lowestoft) went on to win the 14 & under mixed doubles with
Bethany Perkin (Lowestoft) in two straight sets.
Both the girls 12 & under singles and doubles events were
played on a round robin format and Lucy Brabben was on good form to
take both titles, with doubles partner Natasha Perkin (Lowestoft)
who was also runner-up in the 10 & under girls singles. The 10
& under girls singles was won by newcomer to the Tournament,
nine-year-old Florence Abbott (Canterbury), who played consistently
well in this round robin event. Gabriel Wilkinson (Beccles)
returned this year to win all his round robin matches in the 10
& under boys singles, with Thomas Mitchell (Gorleston) a very
worthy runner-up.
Entries for the boys events were notably strong once again this
year with some highly commendable performances throughout the week,
especially in all the finals and particularly during the
nail-biting final of the 14 & under boys doubles.
The Ken Strong Cup – the local mixed doubles for Waveney residents
(14 to 18) where partners are drawn for the event – was won by
Helen Devereux (as in 2006) and Jonathon Block, with runners-up
Sophie Moore (as in 2006) and Stephen Cruickshanks, all of
Lowestoft.
2007 Tournament Team
The Tournament Team found it difficult to single out just one
player for the Goff Moore Cup for Sportsmanship as all competitors
showed respect and consideration for their opponents during an
excellent week of tennis. However, Ian Moore (son of Goff Moore)
was extremely pleased to present this special award to Devon Moore
from Bedford (no relation).
View more images from the 2007 Lowestoft and East Suffolk Junior
Tennis Tournament
For more information about tennis in Waveney or any other sports,
please contact Jane Lewis or Claire Henwood in the Sports &
Leisure Development Team at Waveney District Council on 01502
523635 / 523010 or email
sports.development@waveney.gov.uk
.