Tennis Wales announces awards shortlist

Tennis Wales has announced the shortlists for the annual awards which recognise those who have contributed most to the sport during the past year.

“The awards are not just for players,” said Tennis Wales chief executive Peter Drew. "They also reward volunteers, coaches and clubs and centres, as well as local authorities, who make it possible for thousands of people to enjoy tennis in Wales every week.

“Over the past 12 months we have continued to increase our membership to over 14,000 players across Wales. We also have hundreds of coaches and volunteers who make tennis accessible at the heart of our communities. Tennis in Wales can also boast having some of the biggest primary, secondary and team competitions in the UK with over 7,000 participants,” he added.

“Our players of all ages have enjoyed success - from Llanelli’s Evan Hoyt, who won the Junior Davis Cup with the GB team and reached the semi-finals of the Junior Doubles at Wimbledon, to veteran Chris Hill of Abertillery who recorded a string of important wins to move into the world top-10 rankings for over-55s.”

The awards shortlists are:

Volunteer of the Year - Kim Davies (Cardiff Stars), Paul Sinnadurai (South Powys), Emily Watson (Colwyn Bay);

Performance Coach of the Year - Katherine Maddock-Lyon (David Lloyd Cardiff), Craig Ingham (Swansea Tennis Centre), Chris Lewis (Virgin Cardiff);

Development Coach of the Year - Mark Thomas (Swansea Tennis Centre), Rhys Jones (Usk), Rhys Morgan (Mackintosh LTC);

Club/Centre of the Year - Crickhowell LTC, Swansea Tennis Centre, Cardiff LTC;

Team of the Year - South Wales Men’s Team, Wrexham Men Aegon Team Tennis, Cardiff LTC Ladies 3rd Team;

Player of the Year - Chris Hill (Abertillery), Evan Hoyt (Llanelli), Josh Milton (Rhoose);

Local Authority - Neath Port Talbot, Powys;

Tennis Wales will also announce its ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tennis in Wales’ award on the night.

After previous events at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Venue Cymru, Llandudno and Cardiff City Stadium, the 2012 awards ceremony returns to its original venue, Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, on Saturday October 6.

Tickets at £30, including a three-course meal and half-bottle of wine per person, are now available from the Tennis Wales office in Cardiff.

Information about the awards and all aspects of tennis in Wales is available from Tennis Wales at 029 20 463335 or www.lta.org.uk/in-your-area/Wales/

Posted in: