This year’s Club Championships reached an exciting conclusion on Saturday 13th September, with the rain holding off to allow for an excellent turnout of spectators. The atmosphere around the courts was buzzing as members gathered to watch the finals and celebrate another successful season.
At the close of play, Club Chair Sarah Cray and Allie Hulbert from Club Sponsors Milkwood Care presented the championship trophies. Maddie stole the show, successfully defending all three of her titles from 2024. Debut finalist Matt Schonfeld marked an impressive first year by lifting two trophies, while Lynda Woollerson added yet another title to her already extensive collection.
In addition to the championship prizes, Sarah and Club Coach Natasha Harris presented the annual coaching awards to both junior and adult players. These awards recognise the fantastic effort and commitment shown by everyone involved in the club’s coaching programmes, which have gone from strength to strength under Natasha’s leadership.
Junior coaching awards were a regular fixture in the club diary before the pandemic, and it was wonderful to see their return this year part of finals day. The extension of the awards to adult beginners and improvers is also a welcome step and recognition of the huge efforts that adult beginners make.
The growth of the programme under Natasha has been remarkable: when she took over in February 2022, there were just 15 players involved. By the end of this summer’s programme, which concluded in July before the holidays, there were more than 50 participants enjoying their tennis and developing their skills with many, like Laura Turner and Edward Macmillan, winners of this years adult improvers awards, going on to join the Club.
Shine Radio from Petersfield were also in attendance, capturing the day’s excitement with pre- and post-match interviews. Their coverage of Finals Day will be available as a podcast from Monday 15th September.
Match Results
- Mens Singles Plate: Matt Pearce bt Oscar Chak 6-1, 7-5
- Mens Singles: Ben Schonfeld bt Ben Marshall 6-1, 6-2
- Ladies Singles: Madelon Burnett bt Lynda Woollerson 6-3, 3-6, (championship tie break 10-5)
- Mens Doubles: Andy Gray/Ben Schonfeld bt Richard Peplow/Rupert (6-1, 6-2)
- Ladies Doubles: Madelon Burnett/Lynda Woollerson bt Alison Ward/Sally Thomas (6-2, -6-4)
- Mixed Doubles: Madelon Burnett/Andy Gray bt Natasha Harris/Ben Marshall (3-6, 6-4, 6-4)
Coaching Awards
- Adult: Laura Turner and Edward Macmillan (Most Improved Players)
- Red Ball: Emily Mills and Jasper Williams (Best Attitude) and George Johnson and Imogen Morrison (Most Improved Players)
- Orange Ball: Joel Buchanan and Izzy Atgerton (Best Attitude) and Dino Mifsud and Eva Swanzy (Most Improved Players)