Back from the Covid-19 lockdown, Elgin Lawn Tennis Club is serving up a treat for players of all ages at their Duff Avenue and Cooper Park courts
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ELGIN Lawn Tennis Club has rallied since lockdown, with players of all ages taking to the club’s Duff Avenue and Cooper Park courts.
Last Saturday saw kids aged 5 to 8, some playing competitively for the first time, contest a team tournament on small courts with mini rackets, red balls and an emphasis on fun.
The following day, Elgin hosted a 10-and-under grade 5 Scotland local tour competition, joined by players from Aberdeen, Aboyne, Inverness and Edinburgh.
“There were three boys and six girls from Elgin taking part,” said junior coordinator Teresa Tair. “The boys were all very similar standard which resulted in a lot of long close matches.”
Of the home players, Drew Murdoch was third, Donald Coull fourth and Borys Sulkowski eighth. “It was noted that Borys showed particularly fair play with excellent line calls and keeping of the score,” said Teresa.
The two girls from Edinburgh put on a great show to reach the final, with Elgin’s Eilidh Anderson third and Crystal Fraser-Mackenzie fourth.
“There has been an increase in people playing tennis since Covid restrictions have lifted as tennis is a naturally socially distanced sport,” added Teresa.
Safety guidelines agreed by Tennis Scotland and the Scottish Government are adhered to, and club coaching is available to players of all ages, whether members and non-members.
Around 90 children aged 5-17 take part in the coaching programme, while adult coaching for beginners or those returning to the sport take places on Tuesdays and Wednesdays - more details here.
The courts at Cooper Park are available to be booked by the general public and club members.
Elgin's adult teams were in action this week with three mixed teams, three ladies teams and four mens' sides on court.
The 'A' teams are competing throughout the Highlands along with some of the 'B' teams, though they are not yet able to share transport due to Covid restrictions.
The rest of the teams are competing in a more local league within Moray this year, while junior teams have been entered in the leagues for all ages.
An over-35s district tournament was also contested over the weekend in Elgin, with a number of home players involved in the action.
"In the ladies event the runners-up were Jenny Milne and Lisa Nairn who are both relatively new to tennis, graduating from the club beginners group last year ," said Teresa.
"They are now playing regularly in our social tennis sessions and will both be participating in the Elgin ladies teams this year.
"In the men’s event, the winners were Ed Borrowman (Elgin LTC) and his partner Stuart Feran from Strathpeffer."
Elgin players Al McMillan and Bryan Davidson were third and another player from the home club, Adam Macleod with his Forres partner Gavin Ross was fourth.
