Two Exmouth youth tennis teams reach National Finals

With tennis fever gripping the nation from Monday, with the start of Wimbledon fortnight, Exmouth can be very proud of some local champions.

The 14 and under boys' Tennis team from Exmouth Tennis and Fitness Centre have made it through to the National Clubs Team Championship at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton on July 20/21.

The team of five, comprising Ben Johnson, Chris Denton, Lucus Urquiza, Alfie-James Woodger and Zac Brown played some fantastic tennis to beat West Hants, Bristol, Halton and Portsmouth in the regional stages.

Head Coach Liam Storey, who has worked with the boys for the past nine years, said: "Their commitment and dedication to this championship has been outstanding and they fought hard through some tough matches. They are looking forward to a competitive weekend that will require them to be on top form".

The 18 and under boys' team from Exmouth Community College have reached the final of the National Schools Championships by beating Millfield School on Wednesday, June 19. The team, consisting of Year 9 students, who last year won the Championships while competing as U14s, will face much older competition in the finals which take place in Nottingham between July 9 and 14.

Ben Johnson, Chris Denton, Lucus Urquiza and Alfie-James Woodger played some truly outstanding tennis throughout the county and regional rounds and are looking forward to a challenging competitive week of tennis in Nottingham.

Head of Sport at ECC, Stuart Lowe, said: "This is another unbelievable achievement by all involved. The students in the academy programme work hard and show real support for each other. The four boys have been brilliant this year and have really come together as a team.

"They are coping well with all the pressures they have to deal with and this showed against Millfield. The performance and tennis on show was top class. Next week at Nottingham will be the biggest challenge of all.

"Playing against 18-year old's will be the ultimate test for the Year 9 boys. Whatever happens we are all incredibly proud of what they have achieved over the past three years."

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Pictured: (L to R) Derek Blackmore (coach), Chris Denton, Ben Johnson, Alfie-James Woodger, Lucas Urquiza, Liam Storey (coach).