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Darras Hall Juniors triumph again at Tony Blair Sports Foundation Tennis Challenge

With the world’s greatest tennis competition over for another year many promising youngsters, from across the region, got to taste their own “Mini Wimbledon” as Sunderland Tennis centre again hosted the Grand Final of the Tony Blair Sports Foundation Year 3 Tennis Challenge Cup.

A total of 346 schools took part in the prestigious event this year and the best 8 schools competed in a series of matches and challenges to be crowned overall winner.  Congratulations go to Darras Hall School who for the 3^rd year beat off stiff competition to win the trophy once again, and to runners up Levendale Primary School in Yarm.

Although they didn’t realise it until the results were announced, all the schools were playing for an extra special prize this year as Tony Blair has invited the winning team to join him and Lord Coe for a tour of the London Olympic Village.

Steph Eadon (TBSF Tennis Coach) said: 

"Having taken part in events like this before I knew it was going to be a lot of fun and was really happy I got asked to help, the atmosphere all day was amazing! Not only do the children taking part get so much enjoyment out of it but it is great for coaches to see the upcoming talent in the North East. The Grand Final was a huge success and the fantastic comments from the children and their parents proved that. I am certainly looking forward to next years competition with anticipation!"

A huge thank you must also go to the sponsors of this year’s event - County Durham Development Company and their Managing Director, Stewart Watkins who along with Baroness Hilary Armstrong presented the trophies to Darras Hall and Levendale teams.

You can watch the presentation here.