Annual Report 2020/21
The
DEDANISTS’ FOUNDATION Achievements During the Past Year In the past twelve months we have continued to deliver our support for junior Real Tennis programmes at clubs around the country. We aim to assist clubs in the formation and delivery of their junior Tennis programmes, to attract new junior players into the game on an open access basis. As well as the support we already give to many clubs we have started this year three new initiatives at Jesmond, Oratory and The Hyde.
We are a grant giving charity (No. 1145526) whose sole aim is to increase the number of young people from all backgrounds playing Real Tennis. We are fully supported in this aim by our President and World Champion, Rob Fahey, our hard working Ambassador, Paul Weaver and our Board of Directors.
By David Mills, Chairman
Dedanists’ Foundation Junior becomes an IIP Apprentice Professional 18 year old Alex Machin has become the second young player to join the new IIP Apprentice Professional Scheme. As part of the Dedanists’ Foundation plan to reach out to potential new players in state schools, Dan Jones visited Edgebarrow School in Crowthorne, Berks. Dan offered four juniors a chance to try out Real Tennis at The Wellington Club with the cost of coaching and courts covered by The Foundation. Alex, who was 15 years old at the time, was one of that group and took to the game of Real Tennis immediately. Further sponsored coaching followed which has now led to his successful application to become an apprentice Real Tennis professional under the IIP Scheme. He will take up his new position on the 25th August at the Wellington Club.
National Under 18 Handicap Singles 2020 The National U18 Handicap Singles Tournament, sponsored by The Dedanists’ Foundation, took place at the Wellington Club. As usual the event was run in two sections by handicap with the “B” grade on 12th December 2020. For many of these higher handicap juniors it was their first taste of playing in a tournament at a national level. The final was between two Wellington pupils, Poppy & Tanish, with Tanish winning 6/3. The ‘A’ Grade finally took place on 5th June 2021. The trophy was presented to winner, Cesca (the first girl to ever lift the trophy) by Paul Weaver who is the Dedanists’ Foundation Ambassador and T&RA Director of Junior Tennis. The Dedanists’ Foundation were delighted with the number of entries and particularly by the high proportion of girls playing. Dan Jones and Adam Player marked superbly throughout and the event was well attended by parents and supporters of young players.
34
