The Second Annual Mini Red Winter League to be hosted in the North of the County has been organised by Suzzi Garnett and reached its conclusion this month. The League started back in September with one round taking place each month followed by a final and a playoff for third and fourth position. Teams came from Andy Murray; Chatsworth Chancers, Rob Ivinson; Ullswater and Eden Pirates, David Wise; Maryport Miracles and Lee Burrell; Bitts Park Pros. Each team played every other over the series of events to accumulate points and the highest scoring teams played again in a final playoff. All the events took place on Mini Red Courts using foam balls at Chatsworth Tennis Club in Carlisle. A round robin scoring format was used and although referees were provided most of the children knew how to score the matches by the end of the league!!
The final saw the Chatsworth Chancers triumph over the Maryport Miracles convincingly 20 points to 12. Bitts Park Pros and Ullswater and Eden Pirates took third and fourth place respectively.
All the players received a certificate and seemed to have lots of fun at all the events – playing their singles fixtures and then joining their teammates in some fun doubles! Impressive skills were shown throughout with many long rallies for the referees to keep up with and many of the children mastering the over arm serve.
Many of the players appeared at every one of the four fixtures and this is testimony to their enthusiasm for tennis and the commitment of their coaches. Suzzi Garnett, the league organiser for the past two years commented on how much some of the players had improved from one year to the next in both technical and tactical terms. Many thanks go out to all the players, coaches and parents for consistently supporting the events and understanding the importance of competition from an early age. Special thanks to the on court referees who gave up their time voluntarily – it would be much more confusing for the players without them; Tom Little, Blaine Cruddace, Rachel Garnett, Bruce Pilling and George Hollings.
A competition organiser is required to continue the league next winter from September 2010 to February 2011 so anyone interested in this should contact the County Office.