Young tennis stars of the future were recognised at a glitzy awards ceremony at the All England Lawn Tennis Club at the weekend.
Former footballer and keen tennis player Graeme Le Saux was among the 125 guests to see seven youngsters from the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative (WJTI) pick up trophies for outstanding achievement in their game.
Graeme Le Saux, left, with winner Emmanuel Smith and Dan Bloxham
Among the winners was young coach Emmanuel Smith, 17, who won the Give it Your Max award named after Max Stotesbury, a WJTI junior coach who died in a car accident aged 18-years-old in October 2004.
Leah Gonzales-Edwards has been selected to play for Great Britain and is only the second player from the WJTI to represent their country.
Graeme Le Saux, left, with winner Leah Gonzalez-Edwards and Dan Bloxham
She picked up the Special Achievement award at the ceremony on Saturday, December 13.
Two young players from WJTI who attend Surbiton High School picked up awards from school principal Ann Haydon on the night after making ‘significant contributions’ to the winning of the AEGON Schools Year eight National Tennis Competition.
The Endeavour award went to Casper Scheible, 16, who has been at WJTI for over 10 years and is a dedicated and focused player.
Dan Bloxham, head coach for the All England Club, who heads up the WJTI, said: "It was a truly uplifting evening to see young people from Merton and Wandsworth celebrating each others efforts and successes in an inspirational setting.
"I am very proud to be part of such an amazing initiative and to see the kids use their opportunities so well."
Game, set and match for All England Club as massive re-development plan approved
The WJTI, currently based at the world-famous Wimbledon venue, will move to a new home next year after planning permission was granted for six new floodlit tennis courts on Raynes Park Playing Fields on Thursday, December 11.
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