Young tennis stars hope to be all at sea
14th August 2003

Young tennis aces will battle it out for an adventure of a lifetime with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines when they compete in a leading junior tournament in Manchester.

Two lucky winners of the 2003 Northern Junior Tennis Tournament will spend a thrilling, all-action day at sea on one of the Royal Navy’s ultra-modern warships.

This year’s event, which runs from 18-23 August, will be hosted by the Northern club in Palatine Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, venue for the ATP international Mens Challenger event, and known as ‘the Wimbledon of the North’. The Albert tennis club nearby and Manchester Grammar School are supporting the event with additional play and practice facilities.

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines are sponsoring the tournament for the first time as part of a campaign to raise the profile of careers in the two services and to highlight the importance they both place on sport.

The prize-with-a-difference is proving a massive attraction for this year’s event with over 200 competitors expected to take part.

Lieutenant Commander Andrew Mills, Royal Navy Area Careers Liaison Officer, said:
“We are delighted to sponsor this prestigious junior event which attracts some of the best young talent around.

“In the Royal Navy and Royal Marines we are always on the look-out for young people with a taste for adventure and a passion for sport. The two Services offer an exciting and varied range of job opportunities as well as the chance to develop your sporting talent and compete at the highest levels.

Northern Club Chairman Neville Hewer said:

“There is a real buzz around this year’s tournament with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines on board. This fabulous prize can only add to the competitive edge of the players on court and add kudos to an already highly-respected and popular event.”

The tournament comprises a number of singles and doubles events for girls and boys, ranging from under 10s to under 18s. The winners of the boys and girls under 18s singles will both win the day at sea on a battleship plus £100 prize money and the prestigious Northern trophy.

A number of other cash prizes and trophies will be awarded to winners and runners- up and all players have the chance to pick up valuable ranking points towards their Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) rating.

Eagle-eyed followers of tennis may spot a familiar face in charge of the proceedings as tournament referee George Grime was the international umpire in the chair during John McEnroe’s infamous “you are a disgrace to mankind ” outburst during the 1981 Wimbledon mens’ singles semi-final. As the referee of a Davis Cup Final and chair umpire of five Wimbledon mens’ singles finals, George is bringing his extensive international experience to the management of the event.

As an added attraction, the under 12s girls and boys events from the Sunday Telegraph Center Parcs Junior Grand Prix 2003 will also be played during the week. The tournament is part of the Northern’s programme as a centre of excellence in the LTA Performance initiative.

For further information please contact Paul Smith, Regional Information Officer, GNN, tel: 0161 952 4510 or Susan Moger, Tournament

Director, the Northern tennis club, tel: 0788 773527

More about the Northern Tennis Club and Leisure Centre in Didsbury