Tennis at Bradfield is certainly on the up with the opening of Bradfield’s six brand new clay courts just weeks away and a successful term for our pupils in the sport.
Independent Schools Girls Tennis League
The 12-strong team of Bradfield girls finished third in the inaugural Independent Schools Girls Tennis League (ISGTL). A total of 96 competitors from eight schools took part in the event which was hosted by Bradfield. The team of Tatiana (IL), Amber (M), Olivia (M), Gabby (K), Lara (K), Poppy (J), Annabel (J), Ellie (IL), Imi (J), Elizabeth (I), Alice (I) and Matti (I) finished second in their group before winning the play-off match to claim third.
The ISGTL is the brainchild of Damian Fuller, Director of Tennis, who wanted to provide more competition outside of LTA affiliated events for like-minded schools while allowing players from any year group to join the team.
Boys’ Tennis
In the Independent Schools League the Junior Boys beat the likes of Sevenoaks, St George’s and Cranleigh to win their group on their way to a fifth-place finish. The Senior Boys’ team also took part finishing 11th out of 16 in their side of the competition.
The Junior Boys’ robust performance in the annual fixture against the International Team of Great Britain was cause for celebration. The team of Freddie (DL) and Bailey (C) took a point and a half against much more experienced opponents.
LTA Schools
Pupils have also put in strong performances in the LTA Schools Year 10 competition with both the girls’ and boys’ teams reaching the semi-finals. The girls have knocked out Downe House, Queen Anne’s Caversham and The Abbey on their way to the last four while the boys have defeated Leighton Park, Denefield, St Barts and Reading Blue Coat. Those semi-finals will take place after Long Leave when the U15A boys’, who are enjoying a particularly successful year, will look to continue their unbeaten season. They have already notched up notable wins over Eton and Cranleigh so far.
Clay Court opening
We are not only looking forward to the semi-finals after Long Leave but also the College Championships, which will be held on the newly opened clay courts on Saturday 1 July at 9:00am. The ribbon will be officially cut on our state-of-the-art clay tennis courts earlier that week (Monday 26 June) by current Paralympic gold medallist Gordon Reid MBE.
Tennis Smart
The tennis team collaborated with our Horizons Department to welcome Sarah Borewell from Tennis Smart who talked the different university pathways for aspiring tennis players in the USA. This now presents our pupils who may be looking at tennis scholarships with an exit route after Bradfield to continue to play and study.
Prep Schools coaching
The coaching team have been visiting our local prep schools for junior tennis master classes throughout the Lent and Summer Terms. Damian and Pete Mogan have coached pupils at Moulsford, Elstree, Thorngrove and Hall Grove as well as taking a teacher training inset at Elstree. Fellow coach Sam Mills has also been regularly visiting St Andrew’s, Pangbourne to coach the pre-prep pupils.
