Press Coverage
The Sheffield Telegraph - Different Strokes. Published Date: 03 June 2010
Click here to see photos of Judy Murray's visit to Hallamshire>>
A MURRAY masterclass proved a class act for tennis-playing pupils at Birkdale School.
Not, I may hasten to add, THAT Murray, but very, very close
It was, in fact, Judy, mother of world No4 Andy and 2007 Wimbledon mixed doubles champion Jamie and a world-renowned coach in her own right, who served up numerous pointers on the finer arts of the game.
Peter Winder. James Riley, Phil Gardener and Jamie Hopkins got the chance of some top quality tuition at Hallamshire Tennis Club after leading Birkdale to victory in the AEGON Team Tennis Schools Senior Students Finals.
Organised by the Lawn Tennis Association and supported by the Tennis Foundation, the competition which provides the opportunity for lower-rated players to play competitive tennis in a team based environment, saw the Sheffield school win through local stages and regional knock-out rounds to qualify for the National Finals at Bolton Arena where over 250 schools, with players from Year 11 to 13, contested the boys, mixed and girls events.
The Birkdale four were crowned Boys champions after defeating Hills Road Sixth Form College from Cambridge in the final and as a prize, they won a master class with Judy.
They were joined by fellow Yorkshire pupils from Greenhead College in Huddersfield after they made the final of the Girls event.
"To be part of the tournament was a really good experience," said Winder. "We worked really well as a team and all came away with some great friendships. It was just such a good opportunity for somebody like me because I came to tennis relatively late so my standard isn't at the top end but it's great because I can still get to compete in an important competition in really good tennis arenas.
"The master class was brilliant and I got some great pointers from Judy who made the session a lot of fun."
The winners were joined by fellow pupils for the coaching session with Judy putting the players through their paces across a variety of skills and drills designed to inspire the players and encourage them to stay involved in the sport.
She said: "I really enjoyed my session with the pupils and it's great to see such strong links with Hallamshire Tennis Club. So often kids put down their rackets when they leave school but here you have a local facility providing the kind of stimulating and fun sessions which are vital for keeping older teenagers in the sport."
Birkdale PE teacher Mark Potter added: "The pupils performed so well at the Team Tennis Finals and it was great to see them rewarded with a master class from Judy which no doubt proved an inspiration to them all.
"I know they've had a great day today learning from the best and I'm sure that with our links with local clubs our tennis programme at the school will go from strength to strength."
