New Tennis Courts Opened by LTA President

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Press Releases

Ewell Castle New Tennis Courts Opened by The President of the Lawn Tennis Association

Saturday 28 September 2024 saw LTA President, Sandi Procter opening the long-awaited new floodlit artificial clay courts at Ewell Castle School in Surrey.  Principal Silas Edmonds said “It was an absolute privilege to host Sandi, and she was very generous with her time, and her kind and encouraging words for the School and the Tennis Academy.  We were blessed with fantastic weather and a festive atmosphere as everyone celebrated the milestone in the journey of the Academy. It was wonderful to welcome representation from Surrey Tennis who have been a bedrock for some of our players and our Academy, Ewell Tennis Club and Sutton Tennis and Squash Club, both of whom have played, and continue to play, a part in our journey. Also, thanks to Adam from Yonex and their generosity for supporting the event, our Academy and some of our players.”

The idea of the Tennis Academy came ten years ago when the whole staff at Ewell Castle were asked to put forward an idea that would enhance the reputation of the School. It was Elizabeth McManus, now Head of Ewell Castle Tennis Academy who proposed a tennis academy as it only needed two players in each school year. Having researched other schools with tennis academies, she also persuaded the School to fund the training programme, and that was how The Ewell Castle Tennis Academy came into existence.  Having limited tennis facilities, the School initially linked with Tennis Avenue, later moving to Cranleigh Tennis Club with Grant Fellowes, who was a particularly astute doubles coach.

The real turning point came when Tom Burn came off the world circuit as part of Eugenie Bouchard’s coaching team and agreed to join the School as the Director of Coaching. This, and the appointment of Silas Edmonds as Principal of Ewell Castle.  Having recently arrived from a girls’ school with a tennis academy, Edmonds and a supportive Governing Body led by its Chair Colin Griffith, had an excellent understanding of the business model and vision required to make the academy a success.  This meant that there was an excellent team on board to take tennis at Ewell Castle School to the next level.

Tom Burn brought an exceptional level of coaching which accelerated the programme to elite performance and very quickly the School were competing at the top of UK Schools Tennis in every age group attracting some excellent players to the programme. Still lacking decent facilities at the School, Sutton Tennis and Squash Club were wonderfully supportive, and Ewell Castle School players were also able to access some of their top Men’s teams. As the Academy started to grow and attract more and younger players, it was really lucky to find Ewell Tennis Club and its Chairman Keith Tutton, who allowed Ewell Castle the access it needed to run a full timetable.

Today Ewell Castle School finds itself in a much-improved situation. It has three fantastic tennis courts with the most amazing backdrop of the Castle and a very well-run programme where Tom Burn is supported by coaches Ross Sheppard, James Beaven with additional strength and conditioning training from Jen Slinn.

The opening of the courts was also an opportunity to celebrate the achievement of the School’s Surrey County players; Joshua Lotsu and Rayan Rezapour in Year 5, Dylan Young in Year 7, Daniel Pratt in Year 8, George Lobb and Neo Armus in Year 10, Harry McDonagh in Year 13. It was also an occasion to recognise two very special Surrey County players, Samuel Mhizha (Year 10) and Jesse Clarkson (Year 12) who represented England recently in the Four Nations, clearly the School is very proud of them. Working hard to support the players and parents in their tennis journey is one of the driving forces behind the Tennis Academy. Many of the staff are involved in this wrap-around support structure and, along with the School’s well-established reputation of excellent pastoral care, it makes sure that these very special players are given every opportunity to succeed.  

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