Cheshire County LTA held their first Presentation Evening this week at Park Royal Hotel in Warrington to celebrate the success of our players and teams during 2009.

The guests of honour were the President of British Tennis, Derek Howorth and Honorary Life Patron, Diane Tod.

The evening celebrated all facets of tennis within the County and recognised the achievements of many people engaged in the sport. 

TEAM OF THE YEAR
The first presentation of the evening was to the Team of the Year. There could only be one recipient as Cheshire Ladies Team achieved what no other team has done for the last 70 years in securing a place at Eastbourne next year in Group One of the AEGON Summer County Cup.  To mark this memorable occasion we several previous presidents of Cheshire presented the awards to the individuals who represented the team during 2009.

COACH OF THE YEAR
The winner of the Coach of the Year award was Craig Barnard, who has been instrumental in elevating Stockton Heath Tennis Club achieving performance accreditation. For a number of years he has been committed to performance players and can boast one of his protégés, Pippa Carr having been in the top 10 nationally for her age group.  He has captained the U14 Girls’ County team and has also helped with regional talent identification programme.  His efforts are concentrated not just on tennis skills but he has also organised fitness programmes for his players.  At tournaments he can be seen helping not only his own students but also encouraging and advising all players.  He is passionate about the success of Cheshire tennis.

UP AND COMING COACH OF THE YEAR
The winner of this award was Oil Jones of Brooklands Club.  Oli has proved himself to be keen enthusiastic and well organised.  From barely nothing, he has developed a programme for over 150 young people and he is committed to developing a process for talent identification and development.  This year he successfully managed the 10 & Under Girls AEGON County Cup team and has helped on County Talent Identification days. Building a team of coaches at the club he has aspirations for satellite accreditation in the future. 

CLUB OF THE YEAR
Knutsford LTC were the winner of the Cub of the Year award for theor progress made during 2009.  A new coach was appointed at the start of the year, an excellent programme adopted and  a good business plan created, including plans to resurface courts and construct an additional court with floodlighting.  Their British Tennis Membership of 90% of the membership is one of the best in the County and their number of regularly competing juniors has increased by 64%.  The club has a very pro-active tennis committee who support initiatives and who have ambitious plans for the future development of the club and what it can offer British Tennis.

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jordan Young was awarded the Dick Fonts trophy at the Cheshire Junior Championships and also Young Player of the Year award.  The trophy is presented by the championships committee in recognition of a good attitude towards and all round sportsmanship in tennis.  Jordan is an outstanding player at junior and senior level.  As a member of Congleton LTC he is always prepared to encourage young players and to give help where needed.  He also represents the club in the Junior and Senior teams. 

HONORARY COUNTY COLOURS
John Cook was presented with the first Honorary County colours.  John has been President of Heswall Tennis Club for two years, having served on the committee for many years, one of his roles having been Membership Secretary and he is the son of a former Cheshire president.  He has made a significant contribution to Cheshire tennis via the Youth Trust which he has chaired for the last five years and he has worked hard to ensure that many young players have been given necessary financial support to help them succeed.

The second recipient of Honorary County Colours is an example to us all of how you can be successful in the world of tennis without necessarily being a top class player.  Jez Green has been part of Team Murray since 2007 and has been instrumental in Andy Murray’s rise to Number 2 in the world through his role of designer and supervisor of his fitness programme.
 
As a player he has represented the county at junior and senior level as well as being part of a regional squad.  He is also a former Cheshire junior doubles  champion and has previously won a national doubles title.

ANNE REX BURSARY AWARDS
Anne Rex was a major driving force in establishing Cheshire juniors in the forefront of national tennis.  When she died a fund was set up in her name to give bursaries to promising juniors to help support them financially.  Kieran Cronin, Georgina Hartley, Amanda Murray, Sean Sivewright and
Jacob Whalley were presented with the award for their and attitude and commitment towards tennis.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Esme Laing by the President of British Tennis, Derek Howorth.  Esme has been attending County Week for fifty years as a player, selector and supporter, having made her debut as a player at the age of 17. Her playing career is glistening with highlights beginning with being crowned as Junior Champion in singles and doubles in 1960.  She went on to be a Ladies Singles winner four times, a Ladies Doubles champion five times and also a Mixed Doubles champion five times.

Esme’s contribution to Cheshire tennis does not just stop at playing.  She has been secretary of the Championships committee for many years and also does sterling work for the Youth Trust.  She shuns the limelight but works tirelessly and unobtrusively to ensure that both juniors and seniors can enjoy tennis in Cheshire.