Avenue tennis club trainee coach Craig Phillips travelled up to Redlands tennis club in Bristol over the Whitsun half term week where he took part in the u18s mixed doubles, the u18s boys doubles and the u18 boys singles playing matches all week.  Craig made it through to all three finals which meant he would have a busy day on Saturday the 30^th which was finals day. 

He started off his final’s run at 11.30 with the mixed doubles final with his partner Jessica Davies from Avon and they beat a brother and sister team from Wales 6-3 6-4.  This trophy was all the more pleasing as it was the Nathan Edwards Memorial Trophy. Nathan was one of the South West’s up and coming tennis talents and played much of his tennis at the Avenue.  He was tragically taken from us and his mother, pictured above a member of the Avenue Tennis Club, set up the Nathan Edwards Academy based at the club.  The academy’s main aim is to focus on talented young children who might not necessarily get the chance or have the resources to enable them to get involved with tennis coaching.  The Academy is funded by support and donations from local businesses and fund raising events – for further details on how to help please contact the Avenue Tennis Club on 01278 782758. 

Later on in the afternoon, Craig played the boys doubles with Charlie Knight from Avon and they won that 6-1 6-3.  Most importantly he played the singles final against Jack Findel-Hawkins from Devon who was the same rating as him.  After a tough opening first set which Craig narrowly lost 7-5 Craig rallied well to take the second set 6-3 and in the deciding championship tie-break Craig came out the winner 10-6. Congratulations must go to Craig for winning all three finals on a very hot day, that singles win should mean that Craig will go up another rating to a 5.1

The next major event at the Tennis Club will be the Annual Open Day on the 5^th July, starting around 11:00 am.  The day will be attended by Tony Pryce Sports, Prince Rackets Demonstration team and the Lucozade Sports Science Team.  There will be free coaching and fun games for all the family, the bar will be open serving hot and cold drinks, food will be available together with Strawberries, Cream and Pimms which will be served during the Wimbledon men’s Final which will be shown on large screen in the Tennis club.