Two former British Davis Cup players, Jamie Baker and Danny Sapsford visited the indoor centre on Saturday to offer coaching sessions for juniors and adults and then teamed up with two of the coaches in an Exhibition Match. Sapsford (pink top) played in two Davis Cup ties for Great Britain in 1990-1991, amassing a 2-1 record and Baker (green t-shirt) made his debut for the team in September 2006 in the crucial relegation play-off against the Ukraine where the British team won the tie 3–2.
There was an excellent turn out for the event held at the indoor centre, with lots of players and forty or so spectators in attendance. Seventeen mini players (aged from six to ten) were first up in their coaching session followed by twelve older juniors (aged ten-sixteen) and then finally seventeen adult players. In the adult session the players worked on approaching the net in doubles and in the invitational adult session the players worked on intercepting volleys and moving forward.
Jill Gibson who played, commented “I have learnt that no-mans land is bigger than I thought!”
Alongside the tennis there was lots of activities including a Speed Gun Challenge, a Raffle with a chance to get involved and play some points with the professionals and a selection of homemade cakes and refreshments.
Winners of the raffle to play with the professionals was mini performance players Kirsty Da Silva and Tillie Reid who represented the juniors playing with Baker and Sapsford respectively. Adult players Tim Rice and Rex Groves had the honour for the adults, playing a tie-break which Baker/Rice won 8-6 on a lucky last net cord shot much to the opposition and crowds disbelief!
In the exhibition match, coach and performance player Ali Olrog teamed up with Baker to beat Head Coach James McIntosh and Sapsford 6-4. McIntosh said after the match, “I would like more practice on returning Jamie Baker’s kick serve to my backhand!”
All money raised on the day from the event will be used in the Totally Tennis School Community Development programme in local schools.
Totally Tennis 