Tennis Stars On The Road To Wimbledon

Robin Park Tennis Centre’s glowing reputation continues to grow. Wigan’s young tennis players are heading towards some crucial games this weekend having continued to make great progress with some terrific recent team and individual performances.

The girls’ under-12s team has reached this weekend’s regional semi-finals after finishing top of the Lancashire national junior club league. The team, comprised of Hannah Green (Ashton), Eleanor Peach (Shevington) and Hayley Banks (Whelley), will meet the winners of the Durham and Cleveland region on Saturday at Robin Park.  If they win they will compete in the national finals that will take place in late August.

Similarly, the boys’ under-12s ‘B’ team has won their respective division and will compete in the Lancashire finals versus ‘Next Generation’ from Chorley. The team is made up of Michael Birch (Standish), Sam Royden (Ormskirk), Oliver Walkden (Wigan) and Peter Hyde (Wigan).

Robin Park Tennis Centre’s young stars are performing wonders according to Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Tennis Development Officer, Keith Eckersall.  “All of our players are local and the team are competing against clubs who have a wider catchment area than ourselves.  We also compete against private tennis clubs so it is very competitive,” Keith says. “Robin Park’s focus is on developing players from the immediate area and all the young people involved are enthusiastic and committed which is evident in the progress they have made in these competitions.”

Robin Park’s young tennis players have also been catching the eye in individual competitions of late. Under-14s starlet Bryony Chapman from Standish reached the regional final for the national club competition ‘The Road to Wimbledon’. Bryony may still be offered a chance of a wild card entry to compete alongside other regional winners at Wimbledon. Phil Dawson from Wigan reached the second round in the same competition for under-14s boys.

“Most of these players train two nights per week in squads and one or two times per week individually,” continues Keith. “It takes a long time and a lot of sacrifices to become an established tennis player.”

Robin Park will also be hosting the prestigious junior grand prix from 8^th to 13^th August. This ‘open tournament’ attracts players from across the country and individual players are still being invited to enter.

For further details about this competition or about the excellent tennis coaching and facilities Robin Park has to offer, please contact Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Keith Eckersall on 01942 828554.

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