The Ninth Academy Awards were presented in the Clubhouse to the junior players involved in GXLTC Bull Lane’s Academy and tennace Performance Mini Tennis. Director and Head Professional Andy Scholfield thanked the sponsors. GXLTC continues to be a LTA Performance Club, which helps subsidise younger performance players. GXLTC Academy and Mini Tennis Performance Squads offer a great opportunity for players to progress to a higher level but they must have the desire to seize the opportunity to play as often as possible. It was not coincidence that the main awards went to players who compete and train the most!

This is the 10 year of the Academy and has been a year of stability. A special thanks went to Performance Coach Paul Davey, new treasurer Amanda Hobbs, and tennace Coaching Team James Martin, Michela Marini, Matt Branton and Lauren Webb - an excellent tennace coaching team available to all levels of players.

The new Junior Ambassador is Gavin Robson (18, Chalfont Community College). He is an excellent role model for the club having trained at the Club for over 9 years following a Mini Tennis Club at Gerrards Cross CofE School. He loves tennis and his enthusiasm is an inspiration to all. He has recently joined the coaching Team as Assistant Coach and will be undertaking the LTA coach award scheme. 

Sasha Eykyn (14), James Gregory (10), Matt Clark (15), Mark McGuinness (11) and Aisling McCarthy (11) won ‘Best Intensity in Training’. Male Player of the year was Harley Dyer who competed consistently well in all Tournament Tours with some outstanding performances. Louise Barrett (15) won female player of the year for consistently good performances through the year with some excellent wins at GXLTC Junior Open and Torbay. The Best Team Category was outstanding this year with the under 18 boys, under 14 girls, under 12 boys, Green and Red teams becoming County Champions! James Cairns (14) achieved most improved player; Imogen Scarles and Dan Buckeldee won most committed performer. Mini Tennis awards were presented to over 14 players in categories for ‘Most Committed’, ‘Best Effort in training’ and ‘Most Improved’. However Andy emphasised the coaches were delighted with all players efforts!

Tennace GXLTC Academy will continue to evolve with many tournament tours organised for 2012. At Easter players will compete in Grade 3 tournaments at Maidenhead and Rickmansworth. The tennace at GXLTC club opportunities have also increased with the Aegon Team Tennis starting in April, One Day tournaments, Road to Wimbledon and Club Championships starting after Easter. A new initiative to help players to become more self-reliant is a new Singles League for Juniors.